A Parent’s Guide to Choosing the Right Guitar for Your Child: Exploring Different Types of Guitars
So, your child wants to learn guitar, and you’re on a mission to find the perfect instrument. The guitar world can be overwhelming, especially with so many types, brands, and sizes available. This guide is here to break down the most popular guitar styles for children and explain which ones are best suited for different ages, hand sizes, and musical genres.
Key Considerations Before Choosing a Guitar
Before jumping into the specific types of guitars, keep these factors in mind:
Size and Weight: Guitars come in various sizes. A smaller guitar is often better for young children with smaller hands, while older kids can manage larger instruments.
Playability: The ease of pressing down the strings matters a lot for beginners. A guitar with lower action (string height) is easier to play, especially for little fingers.
Music Genre Preference: The type of music your child wants to play can influence the style of guitar they should start with. Different guitars are better suited for rock, pop, blues, classical, or folk music.
Electric vs. Acoustic: Acoustic guitars are straightforward, while electric guitars require an amplifier. Each has its own learning curve and benefits.
Types of Guitars for Kids
1. Acoustic Guitar
Acoustic guitars are a fantastic starting point for beginners. They don’t require amplifiers, making them simpler for younger children to pick up and play. Keep in mind- Steel-string acoustics can be hard on young fingers, but nylon-string guitars are a softer option.
Best For: Folk, classical, pop, and singer-songwriter styles. Great for children 7 and up, with 3/4 and 1/2 size options for younger kids.
Pros:
Portable: No need for an amplifier or extra equipment.
Variety: Comes in multiple sizes (1/2, 3/4, full) to suit any age.
Popular Brands: Yamaha, Fender, Taylor, and Martin.
Recommended Models:
2. Stratocaster (Strat)
The Stratocaster, often called the "Strat," is an iconic electric guitar designed by Fender in 1954. It’s known for its versatile sound, ergonomic shape, and three single-coil pickups.
Best For: Kids interested in rock, blues, pop, and funk. Suitable for beginners 7 years old and up due to its relatively light weight and comfortable body contour. These guitars usually weight between 7lbs-8lbs.
Features:
Versatile Sound: The three-pickup configuration allows for a wide range of tones, from bright and twangy to warm and smooth.
Comfortable Shape: The contoured body makes it easy for kids to hold.
Lightweight: Easier for younger kids to manage compared to heavier models.
Popular Brands: Fender, Squier (by Fender), Yamaha Pacifica.
Recommended Models:
3. Telecaster (Tele)
The Telecaster is another Fender classic, known for its bright and cutting sound, perfect for country, rock, and pop.
Best For: Country, rock, and indie. Its simplicity makes it great for beginners of all ages, but can be heavier than the strat style guitar. These guitars usually weight between 7lbs-8lbs.
Features:
Simple Design: Two pickups and a three-way switch make it easy to use.
Bright Sound: Great for clean tones and sharp leads.
Popular Brands: Fender, Squier.
Recommended Models:
4. Gibson SG
The SG, introduced by Gibson in 1961, is famous for its double-cutaway design and light weight. It has a distinct rock and blues sound with a more aggressive bite.
Best For: Rock and blues. Good for younger children who want a solid guitar without the bulk of a Les Paul. These guitars usually weight between 6lbs-8lbs.
Features:
Lightweight: Easier for smaller kids to handle.
Aggressive Sound: Great for rock and heavier styles.
Popular Brands: Gibson, Epiphone.
Recommended Models:
5. Super Strat
A Super Strat is a modified version of the traditional Stratocaster, often with a more aggressive-looking body and neck shape with increased cutaways. This makes it easier to access the higher frets.
Best For: Rock, metal, and shred. Ideal for kids interested in heavier music styles who need a guitar with a thinner neck. These guitars usually weight about 8lbs.
Features:
Versatile: Equipped with humbuckers and single coils for a range of tones.
Fast Neck: Great for kids who want to play faster, intricate solos.
Popular Brands: Ibanez, Jackson, Charvel
Recommended Models:
6. Les Paul
The Les Paul, created by Gibson in the 1950s, is known for its thick, warm tone and dual humbucker pickups. Parents should be aware that this is a much heavier guitar, and weigh a minimum of 10lbs but it offers a classic rock and blues sound.
Best For: Rock, blues, and metal. Suitable for older kids (12+) due to its heavier build. These guitars usually weight between 10lbs-15lbs.
Features:
Rich Tone: Dual humbuckers offer a thick, powerful sound.
Sustain: Excellent sustain due to its solid body and construction.
Popular Brands: Gibson, Epiphone (budget-friendly)
Recommended Models:
7. Semi-Hollow Body
A semi-hollow body guitar has a solid center block with hollow wings, offering a warmer and richer tone with reduced feedback compared to full hollow-body guitars.
Best For: Jazz, blues, and indie rock. These guitars are slightly heavier, bulkier, and more delicate, so they’re better for kids around 12 and up. These guitars usually weight between 8lbs-10lbs.
Pros:
Warm Sound: Great for clean tones and moderate gain, ideal for jazz and blues.
Versatile: Can handle a wide range of genres due to its tonal depth.
Popular Brands: Epiphone, Gretsch, Ibanez.
Recommended Models:
Conclusion: Guitar Crash Course: Helping Parents Choose the Right Guitar for Their Kids
Choosing the right guitar for your child is about balancing their musical interests with an instrument that fits their size and abilities. We love the versatility of a strat style guitar for beginners, but if you're looking for a budget option, the acoustic guitar is a fantastic choice! It's good to educate yourself on the different styles of guitar so you don't buy a guitar that's too heavy, too expensive, or just too big and uncomfortable to hold for small hands. We hope this blog brought some insight on the top 7 guitar styles and brands! Helping Parents Choose the Right Guitar for Their Kids-Guitar Crash Course.
If you're reading this, and you're looking for guitar lessons in the Gallatin, TN area, contact Keen School of Music!
Call 615 682 4939
Stop by 424 E Main Street Gallatin TN
Further Reading and Sources:
Fender. (2023). Stratocaster Guitars. Retrieved from https://shop.fender.com/
Yamaha. (2023). Guitars for Beginners. Retrieved from https://usa.yamaha.com/
Gibson. (2023). Les Paul and SG Models. Retrieved from https://www.gibson.com/different guitar shapes, and what to look for for a beginner.
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