Kids Guitar Acoustic

A Guide for Moms and Dads.

What is it that makes it a kid’s guitar as compared say, to any other guitar?

Well in its basic terms – it depends on the kid! How old, how big, how long have they been playing, how talented are they etc?

Kids Guitar Acoustic – For most most kids when they are setting out with playing – Guitars are most generally, either 1/2, 3/4 or full-size, so if your child is small (6-8 years) then starting with a half or three quarter (8-10 years) size guitar is probably best. Is your child an absolute beginner or are you maybe needing the instrument that will encourage them to the next level?

Do I need a “kids acoustic guitar” with steel or nylon strings?

The half or three quarter sized instrument illustrated in the photo is steel strung, and very basically that means an instrument designed to be plucked with a “plectrum” in order to play a tune or to be strummed using chords and maybe to sing along with. I did say basic!

The fretboard is likely to be narrower than on a Spanish Style or Classical Guitar so if your child wishes mainly to play chords and has relatively small hands then that narrower fretboard should make it easier to shape the chords.

However, if your child really wants to learn the art of classical guitar playing or intends to start out with a tutor, then that tutor would more likely expect a Classical or Spanish guitar first off and with “nylon strings” and a wider fingerboard more suited to finger plucking the strings and for playing in the Classically Spanish style i.e. using fingers only and without using a plectrum.

See the photo of a Full Sized Classic Spanish Style Guitar below – can you see the difference? Of course the Classis designed guitars are available in the smaller sizes as well! If your child is showing a natural talent for playing guitar, I would recommend that you spend as much as you can afford on an instrument that is of a size and type appropriate for your child. Remember, classic guitars generally have nylon strings and are not primarily designed for plectrum strumming.

FULL SIZE Classic-Spanish style.

If you need a guitar with which your child will go on to the next level, then  the classic guitar in the photo and the link is full sized (say for 12 years and up) but smaller guitars are available. Choose  1/4 size for small children say from 3 years, up to 7/8 size for the older children or maybe even adults with small hands and then full size like in the photo.

There are many factors to consider when buying a child’s guitar but playability should factor highly in your decision making process! There is no need to spend a fortune on the finest instrument that money can buy – only to find that your child has absolutely no interest at all! Conversely there is little point in buying an instrument that is harder to play than is absolutely necessary.

What do I need to look for?

Does it look cool? No point in buying if your child “wouldn’t be seen dead with it” hey!! Just joking!!

Just as importantly – can the guitar be tuned accurately?

Tuning is difficult, especially at first, so a battery operated guitar tuner will be a great help until the child develops an ear for what is “in tune”.

Is the action “nice” (nice as in “low” enough to express the notes “cleanly” without having to apply too much pressure) but not so low that the notes do not ring properly or cause excessive buzzing of the strings against the frets.

Is it easy to play? i.e. smaller children might need a 1/2 size, otherwise for kids of around 8 years, I would start with a 3/4 and move on to a full sized 6 string steel strung acoustic or a Spanish nylon strung full size guitar as soon as they can handle it.

If it’s too big to get their arms around comfortably and they may avoid  using it and you want them to want to play! Too small and it will sound small and will definitely not look cool!

Make sure whichever instrument you buy, that is has a “truss rod” in the neck. That is a metal reinforcing rod that allows the straightness in the neck to be maintained and adjusted to compensate for various factors such as string tension, action height, temperature, humidity, general movement in the wood etc.

Do expect a guitar to need some maintaining. Keep it clean and the strings wiped-off after every session and clean the fretboard to stop the build up of dirt that can spoil the look and the sound.

Tuning is an on-going process and is not really like a piano for example, that can be expected to stay in tune for a long time. You should wash your hands before playing not only to keep the instrument clean but clean hands will move more easily over the frets. A guitar should stay in tune OK but will need tuning virtually every time it’s played – that’s just the way it is! But it should not be so bad that tuning cannot be maintained at all! Again, the neck may need periodic adjustment to keep it straight and you can do that yourself with a little care and gentle persuasion. But do not over-tighten anything and if in any doubt a professional set-up will pay dividends.