[nolehead]

My nephew is almost 3 years old and has a fascination with the guitar. I have been playing to him since the day he was born and his reaction to the instrument is amazing. His face just lights up and he'll start dancing whenever I play.

His parents have talked with me about getting him a guitar for Christmas. I initially thought he was too young to begin, but I've let him goof around with one of my crappier acoustics and I was amazed at how he was able to strum the instrument and pick the strings.

My questions to the forum are:
1) Is 3 too young to being playing the guitar?
2) Does anyone have a recommendation as to a size (1/4, 1/2, etc) guitar and model that would be appropriate for him?

Any suggestions or comments about this are appreciated.

[jackr]

I bought a squire mini for my 8 year old daughter. My 4 year old son regularly messes with it. Although he primarily plays the keyboard he likes the guitar.

His buddy also has a squire mini and his parents told me he plays it all the time.

My 4 year old knows all the notes of the piano and a c scale and a coulple of kids tunes.

So, NO 3 years old is not too young. I think that the earlier the better and if he expresses real interest in it without being forced that is awesome.

THere are a couple of schools of thought on what to get though. A nylon stringed acoustic guitar will be easies on his fingers. But a small electric guitar is really cool and may keep his interest longer.

[amyjared]

I've played for both my kids since they were born and they love the instrument. My 6 year old was given a guitar at age 2 and it was a very small wood guitar but was capable of being tuned and replacing strings. I would give it an open tuning and let her bang away on it. Now she wants a bigger one, so I "loaned" her my old gibson small body mahogany guitar and it fits her ok. My 2 year old just likes me to play "Ain't No Bugs on Me" over and over while she dances around the living room singing along, but when I'm not looking, she picks up the guitar and tries to strum it. The earlier the better!

[Tennessee Jedi]

Thats cool you guys.
Passing the love on like that.Sounds like you guys are fun parents.
Music is good for little brains growing.

[High Peaks]

My daughter is almost 3. She loves it when i play the acoustic. I will form chords, and let her strum with the pick. Its great!!!! I think she'll probably be a drummer though. She bangs on everything!

[d-v-s]

WOW, great question and great responses! My son turns 1 next week, and he's also had a huge fascination with my guitars since day one.

Unfortunately, he's now going through the "throw everything on the ground" phase, so I've had to get creative about putting my guitars out of harms way when I'm not around.

I've also been considering buying him a small guitar in the next year or so, so this is all good info.

[jackr]

my daughter has her eyes on a small black felix the cat Martin. It is about $400 at guitar center. She is a long way from getting that!

At first she had a First Act acoustic that my wife picked up from goodwill for $15, but the thing was such a piece of crap that it could barely be tuned and she didnt enjoy playing it. So the electric guitar (squire mini) looks like a guitar that Drake Bell plays. So it is the coolest guitar in the world.

By the way, she thinks it is much cooler then my SRV Strat and my Warren Haynes Les Paul. I wound up getting a Gibson Robot guitar and she does think that is cool though.

[Tennessee Jedi]

Whats a robot guitar?
That sounds cool

[jackr]

it is a les paul that tunes itself

http://www.gibson.com/robotguitar/?s_kw ... gQod3G8Fqw

It came out on friday. I had 2 on reserve. There were 4000 limited 1st run guitars made.

It sold out in hours. I bought mine for about $2090 and they sell on ebay now for $2600 to $3100.

I havent played them other then the demo in the store. Just keeping them pristine. (for now)

[Tennessee Jedi]

yep yep
Forgot about that thread.
Cool.

[I'm on the Bozo Bus]

Very cool....
I have three boys... 11, 14 and 15. I think I have a picture somewhere of me playing to him while he was in one of those jumping-jack things.. You know you hang a little seat attached to a spring over a door jamb kind of things....
He used to dance like no one was watching...
All three are muscially interested, a bass player, a guitarist and my little man plays guitar, keys mandolin, trombone and trumpet.
Heads up a shameless plug for my wife and kids...
I am really impressed with my little one, he has that knack...
Years ago he told me I was wrong about "That" song being called "Friend of the Devil" (slow version).... He sat at the piano and played "Joy to the World" (The Handel / Watts version) and told me that was the right way to play it.
He was five.....
Off I go ... Living through my kids....
It is all VERY good,
PEACE,
Phil