The guitar is a relatively simple musical instrument to learn. It is obviously easier to learn to play the guitar when one is younger, but personally I have learned the guitar at the ripe (or rotten) age of 40. If you like to listen to music you really should learn to play the guitar, it's a great feeling to hug your ax and shred (or strum, depending on your personality). As long as one has semi-functioning fingers and relatively operational ears, anyone can learn to play the guitar.

Unlike other hobbies such as collecting stamps or TV Guides, playing the guitar (also called the AXE since the shape of electric guitars are somewhat axe-y) requires a little bit of dedication and some free time. Expect to spend at least 15 minutes everyday for practice, or at least a half hour about two or three times a week at the very minimum. Unless you practice, you're never going to train your hands and your ears to make music. If you want your child to learn to play the guitar, jump to the Child Guitar lessons information page.

To learn to play the guitar, you need at least one guitar. If you can borrow one from a friend that is well and good, but if not - the first agonizing decision is wether to learn on an Acoustic Guitar or an Electric Guitar. One thing that should be mentioned is this, once you start playing you WILL end up with more than one guitar. Having ten and fifteen guitars is not uncommon for amateur guitar players, similar to women and their umpteen pairs of shoes - if it feels good, you have GOT to have it!

The first consideration is the kind of music you are interested in. If your taste is in Classical music, you will want to get a Classical Acoustic Guitar (with nylon strings). If you just want to play campfire songs or folk music, an acoustic guitar would probably be a good choice - if you want to play with a pick a steel string acoustic guitar; or if you want to play with your fingers (finger picking) then a nylon string acoustic guitar. Rock, blues, jazz and similar genres of music could do well with either acoustic or electric guitars; however if your taste is in heavy metal then stick with the electric guitar (you really can't shred metal on an acoustic guitar).

Not withstanding the above recommendations, here is one simple fact: electric guitars are easier to learn with. And not withstanding that fact - learning on an acoustic guitar, because it is harder and less forgiving, will enable you to play better much faster than learning on an electric guitar. Acoustic guitars have heavier strings (remember, they have to vibrate enough to make sounds), and are harder on your fingertips. Because there is no electronic correction to the sounds - what you strum is what you hear. Any mistakes or bad habits are cacophonously announced - which is actually a good thing as you learn to correct bad habits and errors quickly. The acoustic guitar also has a more delicate tone, as you practice you will be able to easily learn how to control your strumming and fretting fingers. Decent acoustic guitars can be more expensive than comparable electric guitars, however, an electric guitar requires an amplifier (amp) which also adds to the cost. The acoustic guitar also offers portability, since you don't need any amplification equipment. This makes practicing easier as you can lug the acoustic guitar around the house and yard (or attic, if your spouse banishes you there for making too much noise).

Personally, I learned to play on an electric guitar - but I would advise against it. The strings on an electric guitar are lighter and thus easier to handle. Electronic effects and amplification can cover up mistakes, which may sound good but it in reality it is not. I had to relearn finger positioning and strumming when I got my first acoustic guitar, because of the bad habits the electric guitar had covered up when I was learning.

It can take a year or more for a kid to start sounding reasonably musical. If you play any musical instrument, invite the child to play along with you, they will have fun and it will increase their interest in music.

For young children 5 to 8 years old, you should consider buying a Nylon String Acoustic guitar of a short scale. The 1/2 scale guitar is tiny and most kids would outgrow it at 6 years of age, but it depends on the size of your child. The 3/4 scale guitar is suitable for most kids through to 10 or 12 years of age. After that, their hands are usually long enough to handle adult scale guitars. Nylon string acoustic guitars are good for smaller kids as they are easier on their fingers, they will find steel string guitars painful to play. Older kids may be fine with steel strings, but it depends on your childs personality as well. The type of music that you want your child to learn is also an important decision factor in selecting a guitar. For classical music, nylon string acoustics are the best. Older kids may demand a cool-looking electric guitar with flames painted on it - if they are going to play it, go ahead and get it for them. But keep in mind that acoustic guitars don't need anything else (except a large collection of picks, most of which will get lost or converted into playthings). Electric kids guitars will also require an amp (amplifier) - and are MUCH louder.

For older kids and acoustic guitars, you may want to consider the smaller scale adult guitars; such as the 00 or 000 scale. If their hands and fingers are long enough they should be able to play these adult sized guitars as well. Click to view Basic guitar (also called the AXE since the shape of electric guitars are somewhat axe-y) Lessons, or how to Choose Acoustic or Electric Guitar.

One word of caution: some people are selling books, videos and even offering lessons about teaching kids to play the guitar by keeping it flat on the child's lap and using a slide (like blue-grass slide guitar players). This is a tremendously BAD way to teach a child the guitar - they will not be able to play holding the guitar upright the normal way. They will have to un-learn this wrong technique at a older age, it just wastes their time and will discourage them later.

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