Guitar vs piano lessons
Posts: 218
Anyone have there child in Guitar or piano lessons?
My 4 year old son really likes the guitar and piano. I don't know which one to start him in.
Does anyone know some one who gives guitar or piano lessons to little ones?
guitar lessons
Posts: 327
There is the store over on 31/ireland that gives lessons and one fellow that was there that was excellent with young kids. If I were you (this is what I did with my daughter that was interested in the guitar) pick up a small one and a beginner book and start with the basic notes very simple to start to learn. The starter books are very nice even for someone that does not know the guitar. I taught my daughter up to the third string before we went for lessons as a second grader. The books are self explanatory and tell you all the basic for the beginner notes of each string. The same thing that a teacher would teach. My biggest recommendations would be to pick up a electric tunner cost about 20.00 and it will help you tune a guitar so the notes are correct. Very easy to use.
ps
Posts: 327
I also believe that reading the notes of a guitar and piano are the same, so once one learns the notes they are interchangeable for both the guitar/piano. Where as other instruments notes are different. So these two are good instruments to learn.
lessons
Posts: 218
So wear did you get the books from?
This sounds like a great idea. I used to play the flute and the notes for the flute are the same and the piano. I didn't think of teaching this to him by myself. I think that I will give it a try.
Thanks for the information.
I vote guitar
Posts: 1960
If he enjoys it, I would say guitar would be pretty cool for a kid to learn! :) And bonus if the notes are the same for piano, so you could always do piano next year with an easy transition.
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn
lesson books
Posts: 327
I would try a few places. The music store on 31/ireland is a good resource. Also you can find the name "First Act" at alot of chain stores like wal mart and toys r us. This will give you a start. It will teach you about the guitar, and then start with basics. The music store can guide you as well with books that have beginning songs in them after you learn a few strings. So the songs are limited to the beginning notes.
Again I would stress the electric tuner for tuning a guitar. And depending on how interested you child is in it would depend on how much money I would put in it to start. Do remember that the strings on a guitar can cause sore fingers. There are strings out that can prevent some of this but not a total solution. For a 4 year old, look for a guitar that is his size so he doesn't loose interest because it is too hard to handle a larger on. I beleive I bought a first act guitar for my daughter at toys r us. It was around 20.00 bucks. NOT the professional guitar but certianly served its purpose and if something drastic happens to it, its not a major loss. There is also the music store Woodwind and brass out there on the bypass. They have alot to offer when looking to get started in a normal size guitar and always remember second hand stuff too. Replacing a set of strings is cheeper than buying a brand new guitar.
I told my kids because all three were interested in the guitar(my favorite) we got through the basics and they could prove to me to learn and practice we would do the lessons. I think the ireland/31 store was 15.00 for a half hour a few years ago.
Good luck--if you don't know how to play the guitar you will enjoy it too.
Some must haves like I said the tuner, a couple of picks, a music stand, starter music books a strap for the guitar to properly hold the guitar.
lessons
Posts: 218
Thank you very much for your comments. As I was talking to my Aunt the other day about it. She thought that my cousin might like to give him lessons. So I have been talking to him about the lessons. Well we are going to go for it. My goal is to start lessons around March sometime. Hopefully that will give me plenty of time to get a guitar and lesson books and everything else. My cousin plays in a band right now.
We are going with the guitar. I think that my 4 year old is excited about it also.
lesson books
Posts: 327
If you decide to have someone else give the lessons, double check on the books, because they may have certian books they like better than others. I just don't want to see you waste your money buying one thing and then having someone request something else.
Guitar
Posts: 550
I think kids enjoy guitars much more than a piano.