guitar for 3yrs old

[surfsup]

Any good tips for a small sized guitar for a child? I'm thinking 3 is too young maybe a uke but she can also grow into it. Thin acoustic with electric strings or nylon? Etc... Appreciate it.

[stelligan]

Check out "Dean Playmate". I got one for my niece and nephew to play with while they hang at my house. It keeps them away from the real guitars.
3/4 sized acoustic.
[img:505:1406]http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/qualit ... 101e40.jpg[/img]

[HeeBGB]

At 3 yrs old I would think cheap as possible. It's unlikely she's going to be too interested in the guitar at that age. It will be just another toy to her. I have 3 children. Bought the first 2, junior sized guitars. One of them being the Squier Mini Strat. None of my children play and it was all a waste of money. I would have been better off putting that money in a bank account for them.

I'm not saying that will be the case with your situation but at 3 years old....how can you tell?

[surfsup]

yea I know. Tough call and its early. Maybe I will wait a couple more years but she is actually asking to learn and keeps climbing on my lap. Yea maybe I'll wait...

I think the biggest issue is the fingers and pain when you first learn fretting acoustic strings that prevents kids from learning.

[HeeBGB]

You could buy a Taylor Baby and if she doesn't keep with it....it could be a cool and fun little instrument for you.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... 4Aod734ATw

I would wait until she's at least 10 before buying her an instrument BUT it really depends on her personality. There are some kids that want to be musicians from a very early age. Look at Joe Bonamassa

[sliberty]

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.js ... d=11928519

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.js ... Id=4082034


They carry other kid guitars as well.

[xtian]

Get her a Strumstick:

http://www.strumstick.com

"There are no wrong notes"

Great beginner instrument.

[Cliff Schecht]

For somebody so young, you should maybe consider a small classical or even a ukulele over something with steel strings. One of the biggest deterrents I dealt with when starting was finding the strength to finger on the big acoustics my dad had. I played a bit more on the electrics when I was starting out because it was easier on my hands.

Something else I wish my dad had done was gotten proper setups on the guitars I played. When the nut is too high, the first position is a bear to play in on an acoustic. When the truss rod and bridge aren't correct, the tension isn't even across the neck so it's harder to play from the 7th to 12th frets. Not to mention they never are intonated anywhere near correct, but this isn't as big of an issue because 3/4 size guitars usually can't be perfectly intonated (wrong geometry, need much more adjustment than the bridges offer). But just having a guitar that plays easily and is actually setup for a beginner is very advantageous if you really want them to stick with it.

[brewdude]

I think these are a cool way to start a kid on guitar.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/celentanowoodw ... d=10882117

[surfsup]

The strumstick looks cool, so do the etsys! Thanks.

Cliff, yea I totally agree about the first nut and steel strings...another equal factor may be just starting her too early. I definitely don't want to force her. Getting her going on a simple song and enjoying playing is key for sure.

[tribi9]

I bought my son a mini acoustic for xmas when he was 4. He only played it for the picture, i think. When he was 8 i bought him an electric, he played it maybe like 2-3 times. He sold them and bought video games with the money last year.

[rp]

How jaded are you and the kid?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Musicmaster

there's the 3/4 Duo-Sonic too.

pulled this of google images 4 yah, yah know you want it:

[surfsup]

Yowza some are $1500 on ebay...

In case someone else is interested, found this site

http://www.smallguitars.com/

Looks like 3 is too early based on the age brackets.

[Firestorm]

Hate to say (for the sake of your sanity), but maybe you should consider a small drum kit. Kids that young can begin to play them along with recorded music and rhythm is arguably the most important musical skill to have.

[Reeltarded]

omg buy her a '59 dot neck and if she doesn't like guitar you can keep it for yourself. YAY!

DRUMS!! IN MY HOUSE!!? NO EFFIN WAY!! lmao

I would rather give a child dynamite and camper's matches.. and an Exxon card for a free fillup.. You can turn a guitar down. (ask my mother)