How do you teach a toddler Geetar?
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I'm terribly halfassed when it comes to practicing guitar. I'm at the point now where I can play stuff, but it's ticking me off that I'm relying on the skills I already know, so I've taken to practicing more seriously again.
Only thing is, the kiddo even hears me do this from the opposite side of the house, and she rushes out to grab her guitar to do the thing she sees dad doing.
This has happened every single time she can hear it. And when she's not doing that, she's just picking hers up on her own throughout the day.
The thing is, she doesn't like pretending she can play. I don't think she even has much of a concept of rockstar shenanigans. She wants to move the strings around so they sound like what dad's doing.
So, two things:
- We got her an actual damn guitar. Extremely basic, but it's proper.
- When I drop her off at school in the morning, I try to really run the gamut in terms of the music we listen to, just to get her acquainted.
Right now, I'm trying to get her used to the concept of strumming the strings with her right hand while getting her left in a good position on the neck. That's it. She tries that out for awhile, then gets frustrated and starts playing around again, which is fine. I'm trying to keep it 50/50: half the time, try to get her to practice one thing correctly, the other half, whatever she finds fun, whatever.
Any advice for keeping that going that doesn't involve boring ass lessons she's not going to follow anyway?
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I think you’re on the right track. Let her progress as she is able and willing without making it drudgery. Maybe figure out some easy songs she likes and teach her those. If she can play those it will go much farther than pretending she’ll someday be at Carnegie Hall. There’ll be plenty of time for that later if she wants. Keep it fun.
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Not sure what songs she likes, but some of these might work. Do you think she could reach a G?
https://www.singing-bell.com/easy-guitar-songs-for-kids-free-sheet-music/
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Some of these are too hard for a kid, but Delilah is pretty easy - small chords.
https://bestguitarsnow.com/25-easy-beginner-songs-to-play-on-guitar/
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Thanks everybody.
She has a ukulele, but isn't interested at present. Chords are still a little far away, but she gives it a go, which is good.
Please love yourself.
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Thanks everybody.
She has a ukulele, but isn't interested at present. Chords are still a little far away, but she gives it a go, which is good.
A cheap kids sized classical guitar with light strings is all she needs. Even if the guitar won’t stay in tune. If you can teach her some basic chords and even the elementary ascending and descending chromatic 1,2.3.4s on all six strings so that she learns that her pinky is an important finger on the fretboard the rest will fall into place - provided she is interested in learning the instrument.
Elbows up!
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A cheap kids sized classical guitar with light strings is all she needs. Even if the guitar won’t stay in tune. If you can teach her some basic chords and even the elementary ascending and descending chromatic 1,2.3.4s on all six strings so that she learns that her pinky is an important finger on the fretboard the rest will fall into place - provided she is interested in learning the instrument.
@Renauda said in How do you teach a toddler Geetar?:
A cheap kids sized classical guitar with light strings is all she needs. Even if the guitar won’t stay in tune. If you can teach her some basic chords and even the elementary ascending and descending chromatic 1,2.3.4s on all six strings so that she learns that her pinky is an important finger on the fretboard the rest will fall into place - provided she is interested in learning the instrument.
Thanks, Renauda; just ordered some lighter strings, that's a good idea, too.
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@Renauda said in How do you teach a toddler Geetar?:
A cheap kids sized classical guitar with light strings is all she needs. Even if the guitar won’t stay in tune. If you can teach her some basic chords and even the elementary ascending and descending chromatic 1,2.3.4s on all six strings so that she learns that her pinky is an important finger on the fretboard the rest will fall into place - provided she is interested in learning the instrument.
Thanks, Renauda; just ordered some lighter strings, that's a good idea, too.
Do you play finger style or plectrum?
If the latter get her one of those rigid felt plectrums classical mandolin players use. She will learn to use the plectrum for dynamics without blowing out strings every other day and develop a softer technique at the same time. That’s advice I once received from a top notch bluegrass flat picker who used to teach guitar basics for kids.
Elbows up!
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A cheap kids sized classical guitar with light strings is all she needs. Even if the guitar won’t stay in tune. If you can teach her some basic chords and even the elementary ascending and descending chromatic 1,2.3.4s on all six strings so that she learns that her pinky is an important finger on the fretboard the rest will fall into place - provided she is interested in learning the instrument.
@Renauda said in How do you teach a toddler Geetar?:
A cheap kids sized classical guitar with light strings is all she needs. Even if the guitar won’t stay in tune. If you can teach her some basic chords and even the elementary ascending and descending chromatic 1,2.3.4s on all six strings so that she learns that her pinky is an important finger on the fretboard the rest will fall into place - provided she is interested in learning the instrument.
Yeah, I would suggest a classical guitar. Steel strings would be kind of tough on those little fingers.
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Do you play finger style or plectrum?
If the latter get her one of those rigid felt plectrums classical mandolin players use. She will learn to use the plectrum for dynamics without blowing out strings every other day and develop a softer technique at the same time. That’s advice I once received from a top notch bluegrass flat picker who used to teach guitar basics for kids.
@Renauda said in How do you teach a toddler Geetar?:
Do you play finger style or plectrum?
If the latter get her one of those rigid felt plectrums classical mandolin players use. She will learn to use the plectrum for dynamics without blowing out strings every other day and develop a softer technique at the same time. That’s advice I once received from a top notch bluegrass flat picker who used to teach guitar basics for kids.
I play finger style but as it happens, I've a handful of all kinds of plectrums from a buddy of mine. That's a great call.
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@Renauda said in How do you teach a toddler Geetar?:
Do you play finger style or plectrum?
If the latter get her one of those rigid felt plectrums classical mandolin players use. She will learn to use the plectrum for dynamics without blowing out strings every other day and develop a softer technique at the same time. That’s advice I once received from a top notch bluegrass flat picker who used to teach guitar basics for kids.
I play finger style but as it happens, I've a handful of all kinds of plectrums from a buddy of mine. That's a great call.
If you play fingerstyle then pass it along to her. I wouldn’t even introduce the plectrum at this stage. Better that she develop her picking hand - that’s the palette where all the colour is.
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If you play fingerstyle then pass it along to her. I wouldn’t even introduce the plectrum at this stage. Better that she develop her picking hand - that’s the palette where all the colour is.
@Renauda said in How do you teach a toddler Geetar?:
If you play fingerstyle then pass it along to her. I wouldn’t even introduce the plectrum at this stage. Better that she develop her picking hand - that’s the palette where all the colour is.
