Best Guitar Method Book For An 8 Year Old Boy?

Cafe Society
1

I am giving my grandson a child-sized guitar for Christmas, and although it does contain a book and cd, I am wondering if any of you guitarists who have taught your kids may have a recommendation for me that’s better?

(This guitar came from Target and cost 45.00. i didn’t wanna spring for anything more expensive till I see if it’ll will keep his interest).

Thanks

Quasi

2

IMHO, teaching a child a song he actually knows and likes is better than a structured lesson plan. If there is anyone in your family that plays guitar, he can show him how to pluck out a melody that matches a song he hears on his iPod or favorite TV show theme.

In other words, I think it’s better (and cheaper!) to generate musical interest first, and then determine if he’s receptive to additional structured learning (such as the included book+CD).

3

I let him play my accoustic-electric in accompaniment to me playing “He’s Got the Whole World” on my Strat with me calling out some simple changes.

Although he didn’t get them all just right, he got some of them, and was very excited at how well we sounded together.

Our problem is that we live far apart and don’t get to see each other that often, so I need to try to keep his interest up since no one in his immediate family plays.

Will have him for three days over Chritsmas and can lay some groundwork at that time.

Thanks!:slight_smile:

Quasi

4

I just show my son riffs - Sunshine of Your Love, Barracuda, Sin City, Peter Gunn, TNT, etc…

I can show him in person though. Is there any way you can hook up an Internet camera?

Bottom line is that lesson books can be cool for basics and chord tables, but if your child doesn’t learn that way and just wants to jam, there is something to be said for keeping them engaged by showing them riffs and such…

Best of luck!

5

If you can afford it lessons with a good guitar teacher are the way to go, even for just 6 months. Good teachers know the best ways to teach people and they can help you avoid bad habits.

6

Thanks, guys.

As I said, this is my grandson, so I really don’t see him all that often, and since he lives about a 2 hour drive away, I couldn’t make sure he goes to lessons, but we can sure give it a shot.

Thanks

Quasi

7

A big second for the lessons idea, especially for someone young. One can demonstrate in 5 minutes something that takes pages to write out, and one misinterpreted word ruins the effect. Nothing like a teacher to kindle enthusiasm.

8

One idea - and sorry we aren’t just helping out by actually answering your question about books…:wink:

youTube has THOUSANDS of instructional videos on it - many, many erstwhile teachers. Well, you can pre-screen them and find the right types of songs and instructional style, then email the link to your grandkid, who can view them at the computer. That way, he gets some of the benefit of in-person, lesson-type instruction focused on the stuff you pick…

Just thinkin’ out loud…

9

WordMan, y’all are doing great, and I really appreciate it! :slight_smile:

The reason this is so important is because he’s hyperactive and on medication for it (which I hate), but when he and I played together recently, he really seemed to enjoy it, to the point of asking me to teach him, and that, for this little boy, is very unusual, since the meds turn him into a little zombie just to placate his teachers.

Thanks for the YouTube idea!

I have used the Tube myself to try and learn Alice’s Restaurant, and it worked great for me.

Shoulda though of it myself, but I am glad that you did.

I will also look into some private lessons for him

Thanks

Q

10

Along the same lines as Wordman’s idea:

I’ve been learning guitar myself, using www.justinguitar.com to teach me my chords. I’ve got a chord book and all, but Justin’s videos (which can be found on YouTube as well as his site) are really easy to follow along with, plus the site is set up so that once you learn one thin, you just click he link to go to the next thing. He’s also got tabs posted for songs, seperated by genre and difficulty.

I agree that lessons are good for a youngster, but if you can’t afford them or don’t think he will go, check Justin out. I’m pretty pleased with him!

11

The webcam idea sounds like a good one – you can show him stuff yourself and play together.

12

Excellent - happy to help. Given how you describe him and the fact that he asked you to show him stuff points to the power of visuals like lessons, webcam, or youTube - best of luck!