FAQ.
Where should I buy my guitar and what is it going to cost me?
Ahh, the first investment in your son or daughter's journey into learning how to play the guitar. Don't worry, as far as the prices of musical instruments go, beginner guitars are very affordable (expect to pay somewhere between $150 and $200).
With that being said, YGS strongly cautions parents from buying a guitar from any place that isn't a music store. Now, more than ever, you can buy guitars just about anywhere, from department stores to grocery stores. These instruments are almost always very cheap, and they have the shoddy quality to show for it. Keep in mind, a poorly constructed guitar may hinder your child's progress. Even if you were to find a decent guitar at one of these stores, you will lack the assistance you get from experienced guitarists who work at your local music store.
Find a good local music store- they'll have affordable guitars, too, and you can bet they will be of far superior quality. YGS whole-heartedly endorses Groth Music in Bloomington or Twin Town Guitars in South Minneapolis. They rock and have some of the coolest employees around. Remember to give the local guys your business before going to the chain stores- you'll have a better guitar store experience.
What kind of guitar should I buy?
If your son or daughter is under the age of 12, most likely you are going to want to buy a 1/2 or 3/4 size guitar. You want a guitar that matches the size of your child! A nine-year old with a full size acoustic guitar is going to be very uncomfortable and have a hard time playing the instrument. However, by the age of 12 most kids are ready for standard size instruments.
There are a ton of brands out there, but more important than brands, once again, is where you buy your guitar. In other words, do not buy your guitar at the same place you buy bulk toilet paper!
What will I need besides a guitar?
1. a music stand (the most inexpensive one will do just fine).
2. a tuner (I recommend the Korg GA-30 Guitar/BassTuner because they're only $20, extremely reliable and easy to use).
3. a metronome (once again, the most inexpensive one will do just fine).
4. an amp and a cable for electric guitar players. A little 15 watt practice amp will do, even though junior may try to talk you into buying the 100 watt head with the 4x12 speaker cabinet- for truly brave parents only!
How often should my child practice?
I encourage my students to practice 15+ minutes about 4-5 times a week. The more they learn, the more practicing will be required. But in the beginning, when fingers are sore and just getting the basics down is frustrating enough, 15 minutes is plenty of time.
The most important thing is getting into the routine of practicing regularly and frequently. Practicing once a week for an hour isn't going to make up for the lost time- this is more than memorization, thiss is about conditioning your hands.
