How early to teach my daughter guitar?
- Thread starter Ransom
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italic zero
New member
Re: How early to teach my daughter guitar?
In the womb.
I don't know, but they make some pretty small guitars. I say as soon as you can get her to sit still.
In the womb.
I don't know, but they make some pretty small guitars. I say as soon as you can get her to sit still.
tone4days
Heel Whacker
Re: How early to teach my daughter guitar?
i started when my son was 6.5 ... he had some piano lessons before that .. i bought a quarter size acoustic (classical) and a 'method' book that is age appropriate ... very fun indeed, ,but i don't push him at all .. when he wants to play / practice/have a lesson, then we do it ... good luck
t4d
i started when my son was 6.5 ... he had some piano lessons before that .. i bought a quarter size acoustic (classical) and a 'method' book that is age appropriate ... very fun indeed, ,but i don't push him at all .. when he wants to play / practice/have a lesson, then we do it ... good luck
t4d
slash857
New member
Re: How early to teach my daughter guitar?
its important not to force. my dad always wanted me to play but never forced me. i finally picked it up and i love it today, and i will never stop playing. if he had forced me, it is possible that i may have been turned off from a young age and may have never enjoyed it as i do right now. give ur daughter time. surround her with guitar oriented music, subconsciously shell want to play eventually. my dad used to play classic rock like the who and deep purple and the beatles ALL the time. it gets to u after a while. :laugh2:
Sune said:
its important not to force. my dad always wanted me to play but never forced me. i finally picked it up and i love it today, and i will never stop playing. if he had forced me, it is possible that i may have been turned off from a young age and may have never enjoyed it as i do right now. give ur daughter time. surround her with guitar oriented music, subconsciously shell want to play eventually. my dad used to play classic rock like the who and deep purple and the beatles ALL the time. it gets to u after a while. :laugh2:
SpiderVenom
New member
Re: How early to teach my daughter guitar?
Coming from a teenager who was forced to play an instrument, don't make her start unless she wants to. I had to play the piano for 2 years when I was a kid, hated every moment of it, and never got good. A year ago I picked up the electric myself, and I've been hooked ever since.
Of course, if you want your daughter to be a world famous virtuoso, take her out of school, and make her practice at least nine hours a day :laugh2:
Seriously though... teach her when she wants to be taught. She'll be much happier, and the results will be a lot better too.
Coming from a teenager who was forced to play an instrument, don't make her start unless she wants to. I had to play the piano for 2 years when I was a kid, hated every moment of it, and never got good. A year ago I picked up the electric myself, and I've been hooked ever since.
Of course, if you want your daughter to be a world famous virtuoso, take her out of school, and make her practice at least nine hours a day :laugh2:
Seriously though... teach her when she wants to be taught. She'll be much happier, and the results will be a lot better too.
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InstituteOfNoise
New member
Re: How early to teach my daughter guitar?
My daughter short of wanted to learn an instrument when she was about 11, but the disciplince wasn't what she could handle. Now when she was 14, she decided she wanted to pick it up again and instead of formal lessons, We started with basics and tab and I let her just have fun before she decided to get busy with it. She's 15 1/2 now and carries the guitar everywhere with her. All the boys hang around her because she outplays all of them now, is very cute and she has some other assets now they seem to appreciate as well. Hmmmm.... got watch out for them there musicians now... All is I need is a younger version of me hanging around.
I'd say let her have fun with it first and get them formal instruction once they decide they really do enjoy it. If they do like it, they'll play until their fingers are sore. If it seems like work, they'll lose interest quickly.
My daughter short of wanted to learn an instrument when she was about 11, but the disciplince wasn't what she could handle. Now when she was 14, she decided she wanted to pick it up again and instead of formal lessons, We started with basics and tab and I let her just have fun before she decided to get busy with it. She's 15 1/2 now and carries the guitar everywhere with her. All the boys hang around her because she outplays all of them now, is very cute and she has some other assets now they seem to appreciate as well. Hmmmm.... got watch out for them there musicians now... All is I need is a younger version of me hanging around.
I'd say let her have fun with it first and get them formal instruction once they decide they really do enjoy it. If they do like it, they'll play until their fingers are sore. If it seems like work, they'll lose interest quickly.
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bert123
New member
Re: How early to teach my daughter guitar?
My daughter started when she was 6 and 1/2. She has a 1/2 size nylon string classical guitar. She picked the instrument to be different from her older sisters (a violinist who has switch to electric bass and piano) and because Dad played when he was younger. Her intrest got me playinmg again.
fftopic:
Back on topic: She started asking about music lessons a little after her 5th birthday but it became an common topic in conversation when she saw 'Freaky Friday'. The rule is practice right after school in our house (after a snack), seems to work. Her teacher is very relaxed with younger kids, some work on reading music and simple chords, sing along, etc. Currently she is working thru an easy Beatles songbook.
It's amazing to watch her muscle memory develop for chords.
My daughter started when she was 6 and 1/2. She has a 1/2 size nylon string classical guitar. She picked the instrument to be different from her older sisters (a violinist who has switch to electric bass and piano) and because Dad played when he was younger. Her intrest got me playinmg again.
fftopic: Back on topic: She started asking about music lessons a little after her 5th birthday but it became an common topic in conversation when she saw 'Freaky Friday'. The rule is practice right after school in our house (after a snack), seems to work. Her teacher is very relaxed with younger kids, some work on reading music and simple chords, sing along, etc. Currently she is working thru an easy Beatles songbook.
It's amazing to watch her muscle memory develop for chords.
Re: How early to teach my daughter guitar?
Wow... thank you for all the insight. I guess that I could have given more information to help you. My wife and I are both musicians. She plays piano/keyboard and has a killer voice. She has been teaching piano in our home for years, so musicians of all ages (and ability) are always in our home. I play everything else and was a voice major in college.
My daughter is two-and-a-half. She began to show interest in music VERY early... singing mostly (18 months or so). She sings with my wife all the time and is very able to carry the melody (and keep pitch and tempo) while my wife and I sing a harmony part. We have taught her none of this. I know what this must sound like... I am not exagerating.
She began showing interest in instruments about six months ago. She blew us away by beginning to pick out the melodies on the piano of the songs she knows. She continually climbs up on the piano bench to "practice"... she says. Again, she has not been pushed... it is just very much a part of our home "culture." She shows similiar interest in the guitar, although the instrument is not as accessible during the day. She loves to hold the pick and do the basic strum patterns while I take care of the fretboard. I am trying to find something that will be appropriate to her age and size that she can "play around with."
We have not introduced reading music or the concept of notes. We have just allowed her "ear" and interest to develop. I am thinking that she will begin to ask some of these questions very soon. Our Doctor says that she has an unusually large vocabulary and rather advanced language skills.
All that said... I am thinking that we will just let her keep hanging around and experimenting as she chooses. If she continues to show interest... then intriduce her to a few concepts along the way and maybe begin piano at around six (plus or minus). Guitar sometime thereafter.
I am not looking for her to be a professional musician, unless that is her choice. I would however, love for her life to be enriched with music... as we all have been.
Thoughts and experiences?
Wow... thank you for all the insight. I guess that I could have given more information to help you. My wife and I are both musicians. She plays piano/keyboard and has a killer voice. She has been teaching piano in our home for years, so musicians of all ages (and ability) are always in our home. I play everything else and was a voice major in college.
My daughter is two-and-a-half. She began to show interest in music VERY early... singing mostly (18 months or so). She sings with my wife all the time and is very able to carry the melody (and keep pitch and tempo) while my wife and I sing a harmony part. We have taught her none of this. I know what this must sound like... I am not exagerating.
She began showing interest in instruments about six months ago. She blew us away by beginning to pick out the melodies on the piano of the songs she knows. She continually climbs up on the piano bench to "practice"... she says. Again, she has not been pushed... it is just very much a part of our home "culture." She shows similiar interest in the guitar, although the instrument is not as accessible during the day. She loves to hold the pick and do the basic strum patterns while I take care of the fretboard. I am trying to find something that will be appropriate to her age and size that she can "play around with."
We have not introduced reading music or the concept of notes. We have just allowed her "ear" and interest to develop. I am thinking that she will begin to ask some of these questions very soon. Our Doctor says that she has an unusually large vocabulary and rather advanced language skills.
All that said... I am thinking that we will just let her keep hanging around and experimenting as she chooses. If she continues to show interest... then intriduce her to a few concepts along the way and maybe begin piano at around six (plus or minus). Guitar sometime thereafter.
I am not looking for her to be a professional musician, unless that is her choice. I would however, love for her life to be enriched with music... as we all have been.
Thoughts and experiences?
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tone4days
Heel Whacker
Re: How early to teach my daughter guitar?
sounds great!!
i'd investigate a very well trained suzuki method teacher for violin or piano .. your daughter seems to have the perfect balance of gifts and environment and enthusiasm ... a loving teacher could help her along ... beware the suzuki nazis though ... they are drill instructors wrapped in velvet and think that they are going to single handedly get your kids into harvard or julliard or both ... notice i said my son USE to take piano :smack: ... if you can find a little 1/4 size classical, maybe she'd be able to get her hands around it ...
have fun
t4d
sounds great!!
i'd investigate a very well trained suzuki method teacher for violin or piano .. your daughter seems to have the perfect balance of gifts and environment and enthusiasm ... a loving teacher could help her along ... beware the suzuki nazis though ... they are drill instructors wrapped in velvet and think that they are going to single handedly get your kids into harvard or julliard or both ... notice i said my son USE to take piano :smack: ... if you can find a little 1/4 size classical, maybe she'd be able to get her hands around it ...
have fun
t4d
Re: How early to teach my daughter guitar?
I admire your daughter. I really wasn't born with natural talent, I just practice six hours a day to be at the level I am at right now. Just keep on doing what you are doing. I know so many kids who PLAYED an instruemnt. Because their parents made them, but now they don't play anymore. My parents bought my sister a cheap acoustic for xmas one year and she played a little bit. It sat around for about three year and then I started sneaking it out of her room. It was untunned for three months while I played it with quarters and index cards as picks. Now, guitar is the main focus of my life. Let your daughter follow the same path, or more than likely, she'll turn into one of those "yeah, but my parents made me play" kids.
I admire your daughter. I really wasn't born with natural talent, I just practice six hours a day to be at the level I am at right now. Just keep on doing what you are doing. I know so many kids who PLAYED an instruemnt. Because their parents made them, but now they don't play anymore. My parents bought my sister a cheap acoustic for xmas one year and she played a little bit. It sat around for about three year and then I started sneaking it out of her room. It was untunned for three months while I played it with quarters and index cards as picks. Now, guitar is the main focus of my life. Let your daughter follow the same path, or more than likely, she'll turn into one of those "yeah, but my parents made me play" kids.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: How early to teach my daughter guitar?
Sounds like my daughter somewhat. Although my wife doesn't have much musical talent, my daughter loves music and sings a lot. She likes to strum my guitars and she has her own now (she's almost 2 1/2 BTW). We got her one of those $40 1/2 size acoustics from Target. She plays with it when I'm playing mine. She LOVES to sing though. American Idol and now Rockstar: INXS are her favorite shows. She's also shown an interest in drums. Not just beating on the tuperware and pots and pans, but my brother-in-laws real set. She's up on that thing as soon as we get to their house, grabs the sticks and hits away. I'm just letting her have fun. If she wants to know more as she gets older, then we'll go that route.
Just let her have fun for now. That's what it's about anyway.
Sounds like my daughter somewhat. Although my wife doesn't have much musical talent, my daughter loves music and sings a lot. She likes to strum my guitars and she has her own now (she's almost 2 1/2 BTW). We got her one of those $40 1/2 size acoustics from Target. She plays with it when I'm playing mine. She LOVES to sing though. American Idol and now Rockstar: INXS are her favorite shows. She's also shown an interest in drums. Not just beating on the tuperware and pots and pans, but my brother-in-laws real set. She's up on that thing as soon as we get to their house, grabs the sticks and hits away. I'm just letting her have fun. If she wants to know more as she gets older, then we'll go that route.
Just let her have fun for now. That's what it's about anyway.
Quencho092
New member
Re: How early to teach my daughter guitar?
my uncle and father have been musicians for 40 years and i took me 3 years of begging to finally get my acoustic guitar when i was 13. I guess they wanted me to go to school...
my uncle and father have been musicians for 40 years and i took me 3 years of begging to finally get my acoustic guitar when i was 13. I guess they wanted me to go to school...
Re: How early to teach my daughter guitar?
Sounds like your daughter is a born music lover. It must be in her genes. I would suggest just run the natural course and keep her interested. It may be a little early to get her started seriously on any musical instrument. Just let her play with whatever she likes to but ask her once in a while if she would really like to learn to play that instrument while she is playing with it. She will let you know when she is ready. My son started learning piano when he was 5. He wanted to. I never pushed him and I would not even send him to any recital if he didn't want to. I figured that by learning to play the piano, he would learn to read music and practice music theory, which will definitely help on a later day. I also play quite a few musical instruments myself, but I play mostly the guitar. Lots of my friends thought my son would learn to play the guitar because of my influence, instead, he wanted to play bass, which I also played but rarely in front of him. The biggest surprise is that he still wants to play the piano, not even an electric keyboard, which I have two lying in the house. He is going to college but he still wants to take advaned level piano lessons. So my advice is let your daughter decide on her own terms and time. You may never know what and when she will make her decision but I am sure she will excel with her musical talent. I think you have a future virtuoso in the making.
Best wishes.
Sounds like your daughter is a born music lover. It must be in her genes. I would suggest just run the natural course and keep her interested. It may be a little early to get her started seriously on any musical instrument. Just let her play with whatever she likes to but ask her once in a while if she would really like to learn to play that instrument while she is playing with it. She will let you know when she is ready. My son started learning piano when he was 5. He wanted to. I never pushed him and I would not even send him to any recital if he didn't want to. I figured that by learning to play the piano, he would learn to read music and practice music theory, which will definitely help on a later day. I also play quite a few musical instruments myself, but I play mostly the guitar. Lots of my friends thought my son would learn to play the guitar because of my influence, instead, he wanted to play bass, which I also played but rarely in front of him. The biggest surprise is that he still wants to play the piano, not even an electric keyboard, which I have two lying in the house. He is going to college but he still wants to take advaned level piano lessons. So my advice is let your daughter decide on her own terms and time. You may never know what and when she will make her decision but I am sure she will excel with her musical talent. I think you have a future virtuoso in the making.
Best wishes.
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