If your child wants to learn guitar there are several steps you can take to help ensure her success. First, find a quality teacher, one who has the education, training, and passion for teaching to inspire your child and guide her skillfully to mastery of her instrument.

It’s also important to support your child by providing a quality instrument, a quiet place to practice, and access to resources including books, apps, and other accessories.

If you’re not an experienced guitarist you may find it bewildering to enter a music store or shop online and try to determine which instrument to buy or rent for your child. So here are seven things to consider when choosing a guitar for your budding musician.

1. Brand
With the wide selection of guitar brands available it can be hard to choose. For a young child just starting out, buying an expensive model is neither practical or necessary, and there are many good options at modest prices. For acoustic guitars, some good options are Luna, Epiphone or Yamaha.  For electric guitars, Fender Squier Strats, Pyle, and Yamaha have some good models. Avoid the super cheap starter kits like Rogue. Though tempting, they’re harder to play and will cause unnecessary and obstructing frustration to your little one.

2. Size
Depending on the age and size of your child, you may want to opt for a 3/4 or even 1/2 size guitar. This ratio refers to the scale (neck) length of the guitar and is proportional to an average full size guitar.  The shorter the guitar neck, the closer the frets are to one another and the easier for little hands to play. For ages 7 and under, we recommend ¾ or smaller.  It will make all the difference in making sure those crucial first few lessons are enjoyable, and your child is able to practice comfortably at home. Some older children may also benefit from 3/4 size guitars, depending on the child’s size and coordination.

3. Lefty or Righty?
This is not as obvious as it seems. In young children the dominant hand is often ambiguous or un-established. Also, playing guitar requires motor skills that most children are unused to, and they may need to try both left-hand and right-hand guitars for some time to know which feels better. And it’s not clear that lefties are at any disadvantage when learning from the start on right-handed guitars. Lastly, be aware that if you choose a left-handed guitar the selection for brands and sizes will be drastically reduced throughout your young musician’s lifetime.

4. Shop Locally
Visit locally owned stores and avoid the commission-based salesmen at the corporate giants – they’ don’t have your best interests at heart. Shopping online makes it impossible to test a guitar’s fit for your child or see that it’s set up properly. Shop at more than one store and compare the information you receive, because even some local store owners are more interested in selling than serving.

5. Test Drive
It’s crucial that your child come with you to play different guitar models and sizes.  Even if she can’t yet play a note of guitar, holding the instrument to find the right fit is critically important. And it’s a great way to boost her enthusiasm for learning to play. An experienced salesperson should be able to guide you. A guitar strap is essential to stabilizing the instrument while your child plays, so use a child-size strap when your child tries out guitars and be sure to purchase one with the guitar.

6. Get Advice
Before you buy, read reviews of the guitars you’ve tested, and share all of the information you’ve collected during your search with your child’s teacher. If you are not yet signed up for lessons, call an experienced teacher and ask for guidance. Enthusiastic and passionate teachers will be more than willing to help. When a potential teacher does not want to help before you sign up, that’s a sign that that teacher will not go above and beyond for you down the road, so move on to someone else!

7. Buyer Beware
Check the store’s return policies before you buy. Most stores will refund or exchange a guitar within a reasonable period of time if you return it in perfect condition, which will allow your child to try out a guitar, and your child’s teacher to evaluate it for you. However there are some unscrupulous owners who do not offer refunds, so know where you stand!

© 2014 Brenna Method