Luna's Imagine Children's Mini-Acoustic Guitar

As parents, we all want our children to be musical, whether it’s an appreciation for the art form, or the ability to make their own music. Thus, I’d like to give you the chance to foster that same love, that same dream, in your young ones. One of the easiest ways to do this is to buy them their own guitar.

Most major guitar makers do not offer much in the way of children’s guitars, but a slew of boutique makers have picked up the slack, offering guitars in a variety of styles and sizes to accommodate any child. So let’s run through some of the available options when buying your child’s first guitar.

The majority of children start out on an acoustic guitar for one main reason – it’s cheaper. If, as in the case of most parents, you have no idea whether your child will use the guitar for more than a few days, the less expensive acoustic option is more logical.

For the purposes of this post, we’ll focus on acoustic guitars for children ages 3-6. In future posts, we’ll cover other age ranges and guitar styles.

What Size Guitar to Buy?
Size is a primary concern when buying a guitar for a child under the age of ten. It is important that the guitar not be too large for your child or they will not be comfortable playing it. On the other hand, they grow so fast that you don’t want to get one that they’ll outgrow in a couple of months.

Many guitar makers build 1/2 and 3/4 sized guitars (about 30″ and 34-36″ respectively). As a rough guide, 3/4 sized guitars are good for 6-10 year olds, and 1/2 sized guitars are good for 3-6 year olds. Note also that there is a sizeable difference between a 34″ and 36″ 3/4-size guitar, with the former suitable for ages 5-8 and the latter for ages 6-10.

These age-based recommendations are only a rough estimate, as the choice really depends upon the height, not the age of the child. Are you 6’6″, and is your 9-year-old boy already approaching 5′? Then chances are you should invest in a full size guitar. Or, conversely, do you barely measure 5′ and is your 6-year-old girl the smallest child in her 1st grade class? Then it might be a better idea to go for a 1/2 sized guitar.

The following photos show children with various-sized guitars. They are here to give you an idea of which guitar sizes may be appropriate for your child:

4-year-old (40" tall) with 30" 1/2-size acoustic guitar (just right!)

4-year-old (40" tall) with 34" 3/4-size acoustic guitar (slightly too large, but useable)

6-year-old (45" tall) with 34" 3/4-size acoustic guitar (just right!)

6-year-old (45" tall) with 36" 3/4-size acoustic guitar (slightly too large, but useable)

What Brand Guitar to Buy?
Another thing to think about when selecting your guitar is how much you want to spend to make sure that you receive a high-quality instrument. As with most things, the old adage applies that you get what you pay for – quality, durability, sound and feel are things that will cost you. On the other hand, be realistic about whether it makes sense to spend extra for a better instrument – when your child’s primary concern is how to avoid eating vegetables at dinner, it’s doubtful whether he or she will notice that the new guitar might’ve sounded better with a rosewood fretboard instead of maple!

If you want a higher-quality instrument that will stay in tune and sound good, then there are several other manufacturers that provide excellent value and higher-quality guitars at reasonable prices. Among these are Squier by Fender, Daisy Rock, JB Player, Dean, and Oscar Schmidt. European-made Amigo guitars are also a good deal.

For those looking for the least expensive starter guitars, we carry several respected beginner brands, such as Lauren and J. Reynolds, which offer beginner guitars at very affordable prices.

If you’re buying for a girl…
Don’t forget to check out Daisy Rock, Luna and Darling Divas guitars. These guitars have beautiful, often whimsical designs that are made especially to help stimulate girls’ interest in the guitar. They look great and girls love ‘em!

For the past several years a theory called the Mozart Effect has been gaining ground among those that study child behavior and many are surprised at what can be accomplished thanks to a little bit of classical music.

The theory’s author, Dr. Alfred Tomatisin, believed that when music is introduced as early on as the late stages of pregnancy it has the ability to set them above their peers both mentally and physically.

In regards to why many believe Mozart is the musician of choices, Tomatisin believed that “The structural and not overly emotional expression (of Mozart’s work) helps clarify time/space perception. It is not over stimulating and the structures of the rondo, sonata-allegro form, and variation form are basic ways in which the brain becomes familiar with the development and familiarity of ideas.”

The theory also suggests that a child’s music education should not stop at simply listening, but that learning a musical instrument is even more valuable. According to recent studies on children and music education:

• First graders that were given daily lessons on how to play an instrument regularly scored higher on creativity tests
• Students who have been taught to play an instrument have the ability to make decisions faster than those that were never taught to play music
• Teens that were taught an instrument at an early age were 73% less likely to have discipline problems
• Playing an instrument requires a level of concentration in a young child that is later translated in their ability to focus on homework and test taking.

While the reasons behind teaching the benefits of music and how to play an instrument at an early age are clear, for many parents knowing the best way to accomplish the task can be difficult. Long before a child is ever able to handle an instrument their education can begin by surrounding them with music.

As we’ve seen with the Mozart Effect, it’s never too early to begin exposing a child to different styles of music. As the child begins to crawl and make their way around the house, take their curiosity for new sounds and show them how to create short rhythms. Whether it is a simple clap of the hand or the bang of a metal pot with a wooden spoon, encourage the child to express his or her self by participating in the impromptu jam session right along with them.

If the child is a toddler take their love for coloring, pasting, and cutting and show them what it’s like to create a musical instrument of their own. A paper plate, a handful of string, and few bells can easily be combined to create a tambourine. Meanwhile some rubber bands and an empty tissue box can be transformed into a working guitar in minutes. Not only will the child benefit from making something with their own two hands, but the instruments will provide a lesson on how music is created.

Radio, CD’s, and television are each ways to expose your child to a variety of musical styles, but for toddlers who are expressing an interest in a particular instrument nothing beats the experience of a live concert. Once the concert is over, quiz the child on what parts was their favorite and find out if a particular instrument stood out in their mind from all the rest. Ask them if they would like to learn more about the instruments they saw and possibly take lessons.

By introducing your child to music at an early age you are teaching them the joy of creating something that is uniquely theirs. This love of music will follow your new baby from the time they are born through their adulthood as they learn to focus on the tasks at hand, make decisions faster, and avoid issues with discipline. In no time both parent and child will learn that the ability to play an instrument is a gift that will last an entire lifetime.