Guitar for 8 year old

[dvisor]

My 8 year old son has expressed an interest in learning to play the guitar, and has a preference for an electric guitar. Would he be better off starting with an acoustic and moving on to an electric when he's learnt the basics, or doesn't it make much difference? Also, would a full size guitar be too much to handle for an 8 year old? I've seen some 3/4 size acoustics on eBuyer.com that look good, but they only have full size electrics.

[Mortartube]

Acoustics can be a little harder to play, because the strings tend to be thicker and therefore need more finger pressure to make chords, especially barre chords. Some may argue that this is the best type to start out with as, once he's mastered this, an electric with be comparatively easier. Cheap electrics with tremelo arms often go out of tune easily as the tremelo arm mechanism can cause this. Also there may be a tendency for more broken strings from the outset, as most kids can't resist playing with the tremolo arm a little forcefully.

I started with an acoustic and I would personally recommend starting with this. If you do get an electric with a tremolo arm, take the tremelo arm off until he has mastered the basics.

Don't forget an electric will need an amp and lead

Buy the best that you can afford. Some good makes to look out for are Yamaha, Ibanez, Epiphone and Fender. These are the makes that I know, others may suggest different manufacturers.

As for a full sized guitar, go to a music shop and get him to try one. Also try different makes and get advice from the proprieter. Ask friends etc if they know of a reputable music shop that can help and maybe even offer lessons if he wants them.

Above all, it's supposed to be enjoyable. There are lots of sites online that can show him basic chords and tabs and how things are played. If he learns one or two very basic songs first, this will probably inspire him to learn some of the harder stuff and not give up.

Good luck

[milkybarkid]

either way, i would go try them both out in person instead of buying it online. you can get some good second hand deals and advice from someone who really knows what they're doing!

[saxy_jag]

I bow to Mortartube's experience (I got as far grade 2 classical). The man (I take it you are a bloke) talks sense. The techniques for the two are slightly different, although most people who go on to the higher levels of playing guitar will play both.

The fact that an electric guitar needs an amp etc. is an advantage - it means your son can practice with the volume down, or even with headphones, so he won't disturb either you or the neighbours.

If you get a decent guitar of the any of the makes specified (by that, I mean you can sometimes take a risk buying secondhand), you won't lose out. However, the guy who taught me said that whilst buying the best you can afford is a good maxim for adults, many of his parents just couldn't afford to spend that money on their kids. He used to recommend the starter kits sold in Argos. They're cheap as chips and quite suitable for the child beginner. If the child loses interest then you won't have lost very much (especially if you sell it on to another beginner), and if it goes the other way, then you can justify spending a little more on a better quality instrument. By that time too, the child will have enough experience ot make some sort of judgement for himself.

[Mortartube]

Crikey saxy_jag. I am a bloke and that's the first time anyone's ever said I'm talking sense. I would advise against buying the very cheapest unknown brand guitars as many are made from unsuitable or improperly seasoned woods. This means that not only do many sound horrible from the outset, they can suffer problems such as warped necks very soon which can make them impossible to keep in tune and play properly. This may lead to a student giving up as they think it is too hard, when it is the fault of the guitar. I would also like to add Crafter guitars as a brand to look out for. They do a nice range of electric acoustics at a reasonable price. Two friends of mine own one each and they seem just fine.

An electric acoustic gives you the best of both worlds in many respects.

[jamiedoherty]

I have an electro acoustic and it's the best of both worlds, I started with a classical guitar and learning to read sheet music. Then I progessed with simple chords, then bar chords, then more compliacted chords but what I had learnt through like freestroke and rest stroke and knowing where everything is has helped a lot.

[dvisor]

Thanks for your replies. I think I'll go for a relatively cheap electric (minus tremeloe arm) and see how he gets on with it. If he sticks with it, I'll get him something a bit more upmarket next year - it may be a good carrot to dangle in front of him. I let him loose with a Washburn KC90 that I have (and never learned to play properly), and it was a bit big and heavy for him, but not overly so - so I'll go for a full size. I'd rather he learned on an acoustic, but the electric has the "cool" factor, and that may encourage him a bit more.