Guitar Players -- a few questions

I don't play guitar at all. I don't think I've ever even picked one up before, but I've been thinking about getting something for the boys. I know an "adult" guitar would be far too big for my 5 year old and almost 4 year old, do you suggest kids wait until they're older or is there a decent kid-type model out there? What about second hand? What should I look for in a second hand guitar? Obviously I don't want to spend a fortune at this age, but if they like it and I don't have to nag at them to practice I would consider paying more for subsequent guitars.

Rebecca, I haven't been playing all that long but I can tell you this, the younger they start, the easier it will be. If you don't want to spend a fortune and want to get them something I believe Musicians friend does have some kid and student guitars and the prices arent bad. They also have expensive guitars on there too like Fender and Les Paul, but I don't think you wanna start them out on a guitar that cost in the thousands lol. That said they do have some package deals that include guitars, extra strings, case, tuner, picks, instructional dva and strap in the $130. - $200.00 range in acoustic, electric, and acoustic/electric. Not too bad considering what your getting.

Thanks for the input!

Hey Rebecca! You can get scaled downed guitars like 3/4 size, but that would probably still be too big for them. It's awesome that you are getting them into music this young! You can buy very tiny guitars, sometimes they are called travel size, and will be the size of a ukelele. It's important to get one at an actual music shop and not a place like Walmart, K-mart or similar that you'd find in Canada because models like First Act that you will find there are just toys and not instruments. They will not stay tune right and will sound just awful. When they grow out of this little guitar they will still be able to play it if they like, it's not specifically for children. That said, check out your local music shops and try to find a little travel size acoustic. New they will cost you about $70 - 100 USD or more. If you buy used, it gets tricky and I can only suggest that you bring along someone who plays any instrument with you (they will have a good ear to judge it). If you can't, then have an employee there play models for you. Pick the one you think sounds the best! Good luck!

Thanks you two! I appreciate the advice. My sister has a BA in music, but plays piano and flute. My grandpa started teaching me piano when I was really little -- younger than Sam even! I liked when he taught me because he would stop when I got bored and I wanted to please him because I wanted him to let me play his sax when I got older!
There's no room for a piano here, but I think the guitar is a good instrument for kids to learn too so it seemed like something I should look into.

Oh, you should get them lessons as well! It will be fun for them. They are at the perfect age to build the foundations for skills like this. Ten years from now when they are teenagers, they will thank you! When you go to buy a guitar, most shops offer lessons so you can negotiate with them. If you sign up for a few lessons they might kick off some money. Either way, never pay the price they ask for. Always try to get at least 10-15% off.

edit: bring your sister if you can. Sad to say, but they take women (and moms I imagine) for all their worth, so it helps to have someone very knowledgable in any area of music with you.

Acoustic or electric? DD has a 3/4 size Yamaha acoustic that she has been playing since she was 5. It's was roughly $100 .Dh teaches her and she is finally getting pretty good. It's great to teach them music, I think Musaic is very important, and lost in so many schools nowadays.
Get a tuner also, a lifesaver.

I was thinking acoustic would build the best foundation. And they would definately get lessons -- I sure couldn't teach them anything on a guitar! I'll probably start keeping my eye out for a deal on one now and give it to them around Christmas or sooner if they really seem interested. I've been keeping an eye on the classifieds and will look at the music store downtown from time to time too.

Absolutely start them out on an acoustic. Those skills translate very well to electric (although with distortion and such it can be it's own animal).

You are an awesome mom to be doing this for them! Mine bought me an electric when I was 9 and although it took me a while to get into it (I was doing trombone at that time) I never forgot that gesture. You remind me of how incredible that was, now that I am very much focused on guitar.

Sometimes you can find some GREAT deals at local pawn shops.

I started my daughter at the age of 5, my son is incredibly accomplished now at 17. One of my biggest joys is jamming with my kids. In fact, I have my first gig with my son in a couple of weeks...I play 8 instruments, guitar being one of them, but I make my living as a pro vocalist, so music is in my blood.

I've let my kids choose whether or not to get into music, I teach vocal lessons to kids who do not want to be there, the only reason they are there is because their parents at one time wanted to be a singer...so I vowed to NEVER be a stage mom. But my kids made their decision, and I could not be happier.

I agree with acoustic first, it is technically more difficult to play, and makes the transition to electric so much easier. That is what both my son and I did.

My daughter, however has decided that she likes the drums better than the guitar, and that is the instrument she has picked to go on with. I LOVE...LOVE..LOVE listening to my kids play, to listen to my 17 year old and my 9 year old jam in my bandroom together is pure heaven.

Music is a gift that you can give your kids, later on in life it becomes an incredible coping mechanism. I have been in bands where the members were prosecuting attorney's, cops, Doc's and car salesmen...(lol), and they use music to keep their sanity. Better than turning to drugs and alcohol!!