Kid Guitars
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Posts Tagged ‘electric guitar’
In the 1930s and 1940’s, during the early days of the electric guitar, audio feedback was thought to be a detrimental sound that needed to be eliminated in order to purify music. The very first solid-body electric guitars were invented for the express purpose of reducing feedback levels. However in the 1960’s musicians such as Jimi Hendrix and Pete Townshend began to cultivate an array of sounds that could be produced by holding a guitar at varying distances from a guitar amplifier. Many kids from this genre fondly remember trying to imitate this trademark sound with their discount childrens guitars, to no avail.
Over time, this technique of perfecting a feedback loop to harmonious or dissonant effect was taken to further levels. The British rock band My Bloody Valentine released “Loveless” in 1991 More recently, Rage Against the Machine adopted a trademark “crunchy guitar” sound with the help of amp feedback.
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My ‘know it all’ son says that he deserves an electric guitar. After a very persuasive argument he has actually convinced me that a guitar would make his life better. I am glad he is enthusiastic and I just hope that those ‘cool’ kid guitars fit our price range. My son assures me that they and everything will just be fine. If my husband is game then I guess I am game.
After looking online and talking to friends I think that childrens guitars may in fact be more affordable than I thought. His birthday is in fact on June 15th so I guess that is a good time to give him this precious gift. I must admit, (though I would never tell him this). I begged my folks for a guitar when I was his age, however my very practical parents made me wait until I was in high school. When it’s all said and done times haven’t changed all that much!!
Our son seems to show a bit of a wild streak already at the age of seven. He seems to want to run barefoot, climb trees and wear tie dyed shirts like his older brothers. Yet at the same time he also seems to be concerned about world peace, racial issues and poverty, (all of this at the age of seven!) However he tells me that he wants to grow up to be a “rocker” and says that what he most wants for his birthday is an electric guitar!
I will soon begin looking at childrens electric guitars online and at music stores in our community. I guess this could be a lot of fun and my son will be thrilled! I can’t wait to see what he will become when she grows up. As long as she’s happy that’s all I care about! I guess time will tell!
It is sometimes very interesting to look at how sound is created and maintained in a guitar. In a plugged-in electric guitar, sound is created when the strings are strummed or plucked and the vibration from the movement is picked up by a magnetic device called the pick-up. Many discount electric guitars and cheap childrens guitars are available for eager beginners if cost is a worry. Interestingly, the sound can be further manipulated and modified by turning the volume and tone dials as well as knobs of the amplifier. Most electric guitars have three knobs or dials for controlling the volume, treble and bass tones which are produced by the built-in electronics of the guitar
Basically, a pickup is made of a long copper wire that is wound around one or more magnets. When electricity passes through the copper wire, the magnet/s in the middle of the coil detects the movement or vibrations of the metal strings. Electrical impulses travel through the wire inside the pickup due to these vibrations, and when attached to the amplifier, the impulses create the sound heard from the amplifier. The tremolo bar allows the player to quickly and easily alter the pitch of the strings. The tuners are found at the headstock of the guitar and are used to tighten and loosen the strings. The standard tuning for electric guitar is EBGDAE but other types of tuning such as Drop-D are used depending on the preference of the guitarist and the kind of music played.
Helping to cultivate your child’s interests
Sunday, April 10, 2011
posted by Guitar Family Man 11:45 PM
It is my belief that one of the very most important aspects of encouraging children in any type of pursuit is to have worthy leaders to emulate. When my kids have shown interest in something, I have always encouraged them to look to leaders for inspiration and motivation. So when my young son picked up the electric guitar, I suggested that he listen to some of the pioneers.
We were both excited when we shopped around looking at various types of guitars for children. I will admit that I was a little nervous about the noise he would be creating. Luckily he developed an appreciation for the same guitarists that I love—not the heavy metal thrashers that I have never really cared for! In just a few months he has developed in to quite a good guitarist, I am so proud!!
Over the past several years, music-themed videogames such as “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band” have received a lot of popularity from kids of all ages. The games are popular not only among preteens but also among college students as well. There is debate between older musicians and music shop owners as to whether these games are good learning tools for new musicians.
It remains to be seen whether these guitar-playing games will be beneficial for kids to learn to play a real instrument. Generally speaking, childrens guitars remain the best way for children to hone their skills at a young age. Playing a videogame and playing a real electric guitar require different skills, and a proficiency and one doesn’t necessarily translate to the other.
As we all know kids don’t sit still very well. As young musicians they sometimes don’t understand the importance of taking proper care of their instrument, all the more reason why parents need to emphasize and demonstrate maintenance. The guitar is a perfect example. The electric guitar is particularly susceptible to damage when the user is negligent, so it pays to keep close tabs on the instrument’s storage and treatment when not in use. Parents can choose from various sizes and styles of guitar cases for kids to protect their childrens electric guitar.
Guitar stands are often overlooked, but they have more benefits than one would realize. While most kids and even adults simply lean their guitar against a wall or piece of furniture after they are finished playing, this is really an accident waiting to happen. The guitar could easily tip over on it’s own accord or it could be knocked down by a family member or a passing pet. A stand keeps the guitar upright and secure – ready to be played whenever your child is ready to practice.
If you took a poll and asked most young children what instrument they would like to learn to play, the answer often seems to be the guitar and my nine year old son is no different. While I am excited for him to learn to play an instrument, I must admit that I’d rather not hear an electric guitar played incessantly from his bedroom.
I have decided to take the middle ground and introduce him to the guitar gradually. I have decided to start looking into some kids acoustic guitars. We will start with this first and let him spend time learning the nuances of the guitar. I will see how he does and if he seems to really have an interest and shows some ability, I will consider upgrading him to an electric guitar.
Music is a wonderful form of communication and a great way to say things that can’t be said in normal conversation. In fact, the language of music can transcend generation after generation. Therefore exposing children to music at an early age can be quite beneficial.
It would be great to encourage kids to love what music has to offer. This can be accomplished taking a child to music lessons and by exposing them to musical venues. By taking children to music lessons, kids can learn to play various instruments and discover which instruments they like. Children can choose piano, violin, clarinet or drums. You might even consider the electric guitar, (an instrument that has become more popular with children). One can find electric guitars for kids online and often there are many deals out there so you don’t have to spend lots of money on your child’s first instrument!
Growing Up in the ‘Heyday” of Rock and Roll!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
posted by To The Beat 12:50 PM
When I was young my parents saw that I had some musical ability and presented me with an ultimatum: join the choir or learn an instrument. I was an extremely shy and awkward child and my parents thought that that music would help ‘bring me out’. And because I was so timid, the idea of standing in front of a large audience flexing my pipes was terrifying—so I opted for the latter. I didn’t have a lot of difficulty choosing the instrument because I had always had a fantasy of being a ‘Rock God’ and dreamed of playing electric guitar!
Fortunately for me, I grew u in the heyday of classic rock and I idolized musicians such as Roger Daltrey, John Lennon, and Eric Clapton. My parents, (who couldn’t wrap their heads around my generation’s music) were thrilled because they understood how much this type of music meant to me! They graciously helped me look at electric guitars for children and eventually we agreed upon a childrens electric guitar that started me on my journey! Despite the fact that I never achieved rock and roll stardom, learning to play helped me achieve an even greater love of the guitar and gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of music in general and yes, it did help me come out of my shell!