Buying a guitar for your child is not difficult, but you should make sure to choose a guitar that is both playable and attractive. If the guitar is too difficult to play, your child may be discouraged. Likewise, if the look and sound are unattractive, your child may lose interest in playing the guitar.
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Step 1. Decide whether to buy an electric, acoustic, or classical guitar
The first guitar for children is usually the classical guitar. The classical guitar is an acoustic guitar with nylon strings. While acoustic guitars with steel strings are more common in the music industry, nylon strings are softer and easier for children to press and pick. This is especially important for children learning to play the guitar for the first time because painful steel strings can discourage them from playing the guitar in the long run.
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While uncommon, electric guitars are a good choice, especially for more excited children. However, electric guitars tend to be more expensive than acoustic guitars, so many parents usually only buy electric guitars if they believe in their child's interest and dedication to continuing to practice playing the guitar.
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Consider asking your child's preferences. If your child likes a certain type of guitar, buying a different guitar can discourage him from continuing to practice.
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Step 2. Find out what size your child needs
The size of the guitar you choose for your child is probably the most important aspect that affects their ability to play the guitar. A guitar that is too big is impossible to play, while a guitar that is too small will prevent a child from learning to play the guitar properly so that it will be difficult for him to play a standard-sized guitar when he grows up.
- Generally, children aged 4-6 years, with a height between about 100 cm to 115 cm, need a guitar that is of the standard size.
- Children aged 5-8 years, with a height between 120 cm and 135 cm, need a guitar that is of the standard size.
- Children aged 8-11 years, with a height of 140 cm to 150 cm need a guitar that is of the standard size.
- Children 11 years old and above with a minimum height of 152 cm can own a standard sized guitar.
Step 3. Consider the guitar brand
Guitar brand affects the price and quality. A higher quality guitar, such as a Fender Squier guitar, will have excellent tone alignment, but it can also be expensive. However, you can ask the store clerk or salesperson for other recommendations based on quality that won't weigh too much on your budget. If you're not sure whether your child will continue to practice guitar, you can purchase an inexpensive beginner guitar from a well-known beginner brand like J. Reynolds or Excel.
Step 4. Think about the color and design of the guitar
Children, especially young children, are attracted to colors and pictures. Fortunately, a decorated guitar is usually no more expensive than a simple, plain guitar. At the very least, consider buying a guitar in your child's favorite color. You can also buy guitars with pictures or patterns that your child will be interested in. Guitars with Hello Kitty or other famous characters tend to be more popular, as do guitars with flames and skulls. Guitars with artificial diamonds are also popular.
Step 5. Know the estimated costs to be incurred
Regardless of the design or brand, generally speaking, the most expensive guitars have better tone and durability. The price of a very high quality guitar can range up to tens of millions of rupiah, but you can buy a fairly good quality guitar for children in the price range of Rp. 1,500,000,00 to Rp. 3,000,000, 00. The difference in tone between guitars is Rp. 1. 500,000, 00 and guitars priced at IDR 5,000,000, 00 and above will not be very audible on children's guitars, especially if the child is still a beginner.
What's more, if in the next few years the guitar will probably be too small for your child, it's better to buy a cheaper one up front and save up for a higher quality guitar once they are old enough to own a standard sized guitar
Step 6. Make sure to buy the right accessories
At a minimum, you should buy a few extra strings. Chances are, your child will need a lot of strings as they learn to play the guitar, and you should have extra strings when they break. You should also have plenty of picks in stock, as children often lose lots of picks.
- If you're buying an electric guitar for your child, you'll also need to purchase an amplifier and guitar cable. It doesn't have to be fancy, but you'll need at least a simple 10-watt amplifier to make your guitar sound audible.
- It's a good idea to buy accessories such as a bag, strap, and guitar tuner. These accessories are useful because they can help your child play and maintain the guitar, and can make them even more enthusiastic about learning to play the guitar because it provides an authentic experience.
