“I'm just a guitarist in a kick-ass rock and roll band. What more could I ask for?” -Eddie Van Halen.
The guitar is the most popular instrument to learn among young people. In the UK, and other parts of the world, youngsters want to play the guitar to look cool in front of their peers and impress the boy or girl that they like; music has power!
Also, it's worth stating that among teenagers rock, heavy metal, and alternative music tend to be very popular. Therefore, the primary instrument in these genres, the guitar becomes appealing.
Playing the guitar allows young people to express themselves, tap into their creative side, and experience music history.
Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Kirk Hammett, Kurt Cobain, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, and Carlos Santana are some of the great guitarists of all time and they certainly have something to do with the popularity of the guitar.
But before you start playing fire melodies on your guitar, you have to start by choosing your first guitar. It's worth stating that parents with young children who want to learn the guitar, need to start shopping for 1/2 guitars that are specifically made for young kids. Without further ado, in today's article, we'll learn more about how parents can buy the perfect 1/2 for their son or daughter.
Read about where to find guitar lessons here.
What Sized Guitar is Best For My Child?
Learning to play a musical instrument can be done at any age. Nonetheless, if your child wishes to start playing the guitar, they will need a specific size that is tailored for them. Such as? Take a look at the following table that displays all the guitar sizes available:
| Guitar Size | Age of Child | Height of the Child |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 3-5 years old | 70 to 90 cm |
| 1/4 | 4-6 years old | 90 to 120 cm |
| 1/2 | 5-8 years old | 115 to 135 cm |
| 3/4 | 8-12 years old | 130 to 150 cm |
| 4/4 | 12+ years old | 150 cm + |
Since guitar manufacturers want children of all ages to learn how to play the guitar, the previously mentioned models are produced that adapt to the height and age of a child.
It's worth stating that 1/8 and 1/4 sized guitars are at the crossroads between children's toys and musical instruments; young children can use these guitars to awaken their musical talent without knowing it.
1/2 sized guitars get closer to the traditional guitar in terms of how they were made and their sound. Also, 3/4 guitars are widely recommended to push the learning a little further for young children before moving on to a real guitar.
Since the table mentioned above features average sizes and recommendations, it's best for parents to have their children try out their guitars before they start taking lessons to see which one is best suited for them. No child wants to play music on a guitar that is too big or too small for them!
See where you can get more information about some of the most effective guitar lessons in Glasgow here.
What Age is Recommended to Use a 1/2 Guitar?
According to the reference chart and the advice of experts, 1/2 guitars are used by children who are between the ages of 5 to 8. The guitar is 83cm long in total and children should try holding the guitar to see if it's comfortable.
It's worth stating that 1/2 guitars have a shorter neck and a much smaller body which allows children guitarists to start off with a guitar that isn't too big for them. Additionally, 1/2 guitars are lighter and easier for children to hold.
On the other hand, the 1/2 guitar does not mean that the instrument is half the size of the classical instrument; this is simply the grading system assigned to guitars.
Which 1/2 Sized Classical Guitar Should I Choose For My Child?
When getting started, whether you're six or sixty years old, music tutors suggest that beginners start with a classical guitar. Why's that? The strings are made of nylon and are more comfortable for the fingers.
Nonetheless, as parents, you might not know which 1/2 sized models are the best for children. Have no fear, the following table highlights three 1/2 guitar models you'll want to take a look at.
| Thomann Classic Guitar 1/2 | Yamaha CGS102A 1/2 | La Mancha Romero Granito 32-1/2 N |
|---|---|---|
| An ideal guitar for beginners because of its price, the Thomann Classic 1/2 has a laminated spruce top and maple neck that make it a beautiful guitar with natural colours. | Yamaha is the best reference in the guitar world. This model is excellent and renowned for helping children learn the guitar. An excellent value for your money! | La Mancha is a brand known in the world of children's guitars. With a spruce top and a mahogany neck, your child will start learning with a beautiful guitar. |
| £83.00 | £116.00 | £114.00 |
With a beautiful classical guitar, young guitarists can have fun playing pieces of music from genres such as classical, flamenco, gipsy jazz or even folk. A classical guitar trying is a dynamic instrument.
Look out for good guitar lessons near me here.
Which 1/2 Sized Folk Guitar Should I Buy For My Kids?
If you're shopping for guitars, you've got to know that folk guitars are acoustic. These guitars have six steel strings that are tighter and known to be more difficult to play. Therefore, it is quite rare for child guitarists, especially around the ages of five or six, to start with this type of guitar; however, stranger things have happened!
There are some 1/2 sized folk guitars on the market for children. Such as? The following table displays two options:
| The YAMAHA JR1 Folk Guitar 1/2 | STAGG SA20D 1/2 N Dreadnought 1/2 |
|---|---|
| This guitar is ideal for young musicians looking to get into folk music. | With a basswood top and a nato neck, this folk guitar will delight musicians and parents looking for good value for their money. |
| £124.00 | £100.00 |
Which 1/2 Sized Electric Guitars are the Best For Young Children?
Some music teachers do not recommend the purchase of an electric guitar for children and that's because, at traditional music schools, guitar lessons are mainly done on classical guitars.
In addition, the electric guitar often requires a greater financial investment than an acoustic guitar since it is necessary to purchase additional electric guitar accessories such as the amplifier.
However, buying a 1/2 electric guitar is not completely discouraged and is a good idea if specifically requested by a young child who has a passion for rock music. But, what are the best 1/2 sized guitars for children 6-8 years old? Take a look at the following table to learn more!
| Stagg 1/2 Sunburst Electric Guitar |
|---|
| Although a standard sized guitar will certainly be of better quality, this guitar can provide everything a child needs for their musical development! |
| £110.00 +/- |
If you're going to purchase an electric guitar, it's inevitable that you also buy an amplifier. Without an amp, your child won't be able to hear their melodies or pay attention to the sounds of their notes.
But, which amplifier should you get for a 1/2 sized guitar? Instead of solely focusing on the amp you might want a combo such as the Stagg GAMP 200 Bundle. With a 3W amplifier and a beautiful Stagg guitar, the GAMP 200 pack provides all the essential accessories for playing the electric guitar in a single pack. On the other hand, its appearance looks a little more like a toy than the Sunburst guitar that we mentioned in the aforementioned table; however, it'll do the job to help the beginner guitarist get familiar with their instrument.
The Stagg GAMP 200 Bundle means you'll have a guitar and an amp for the same price!
How much is the Stagg GAMP 200 Bundle? On Amazon and other sites in the UK, you can find this electric guitar bundle for around £100.00.
What Accessories Should I Buy For a 1/2 Guitar?
Whether you decided to buy a classical, folk, or electric guitar, it's necessary to spend some money on accessories so that your child learns to care for their new instrument. Such as? It's greatly suggested to invest in an electronic tuner, some spare strings, some guitar picks, and a transport bag.
Since protecting the guitar is a priority, it's a great idea to buy a protective case. If you're not sure about the right equipment to buy, we recommend taking a look on Amazon, or another trusted site, and reading the reviews of past users.
Also, don't forget that you might want to buy a strap and a metronome. Finally, in the case of the electric guitar, it will obviously be necessary to think of the amplifier as well as the jack cable.
What Price Should I Pay For a 1/2 Guitar for Children?
Since adults are more used to buying guitars that are "full-sized", purchasing a small guitar for a child can be misleading. Why's that? Well, unfortunately, the prices for smaller guitars are always much cheaper than they are for adult guitars.
Therefore, since it's specifically made for children, parents should expect to pay anywhere from £50 to £170 for a 1/2 sized guitar.
Of course, the price range depends on the quality of the guitar. As you might have expected, low-end guitars offer the lowest prices. However, over time, these guitars are less durable and deteriorate quickly. The sound quality may also be poorer. So, you should invest a bit more to get a guitar from a reputable brand such as Fender.
One way to save money when purchasing a guitar is by finding a secondhand one on classified ads.
To find a good deal for a high-quality 1/2 sized guitar, ask for advice from a Superprof tutor, a music shop owner, or a trusted friend who's a lover of music.
In conclusion, helping your child to learn a new instrument might acquire some adjustments such as purchasing a 1/2 sized guitar; however, your son or daughter will greatly benefit from the experience.
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