How to Learn Guitar for Kids

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If you’re trying to figure out how to learn guitar for kids, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll give some pointers on how to get started, as well as our favorite resources.

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Did you know that learning guitar at a young age increases a child’s confidence, creative and cognitive abilities, and even their math skills? Plus, playing the guitar is not only fun, but once you learn a few songs it can become an enjoyable activity for the whole family.

It’s a great way to implement music education into your homeschool, and also a wonderful tool to help beat the summer slump!

While there are numerous benefits to learning guitar it can also seem like a daunting task if you have never strummed on the instrument before. We have put together a list of resources and tips to help you support your child and help them succeed at learning how to play the guitar. 

The Most Fun Way for Kids to Learn Guitar

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Notey's World

Notey's World is a game that merges learning and guitar playing - kids literally use their instrument to navigate though a musical adventure. And the fact that they can earn rewards along the way is a real motivator.

It's the perfect game for beginners. And you can try it free by clicking the button!

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One of the most popular way to teach kids how to play the guitar is by using apps. And when it comes to guitar apps, our favorite is Notey’s World.

Notey’s World is a groundbreaking new app that combines gaming and music education – turning screen-time into practice time. Notey becomes your child’s practice companion through a magic world, as your child navigates their way through levels by playing their guitar. No, really! Its gamified practice sessions make the grind of practicing guitar fun for your kiddos!

And right now, we have an exclusive special for our readers – click here from your iOS device, and you can  access Notey’s World premium content (more levels, game modes, and worlds to explore) free for 30 days!

You can also learn more in our Notey’s World review here.

Tips on Choosing the Right Guitar

The first step for a child to learn how to play guitar is to have the correct size and style of the instrument. Choosing the right guitar is the most important beginning step of setting your child up for success in learning to play. While many kids find the electric guitar cool and appealing, it is one of the more complex versions of the guitar to learn. 

Experts recommend children start with the classical guitar. This style of guitar uses nylon strings which are easier on the fingers. If you have ever strummed or picked at a guitar, you know it can be rough on your hands. Using a classical guitar helps kids learn the basics while feeling comfortable. 

Another important component of choosing the right guitar is the size. While it may seem tempting to order a guitar online, testing out the different sizes in person for your child can be helpful to find the perfect fit. Kids guitars come in ¼, ½, ¾, and full size. While there are age ranges for each size, seeing the sizes in person is the best way to choose a guitar.  

4 Ways to Learn Guitar

While there is no exact formula for teaching kids how to learn to play the guitar, there are a variety of ways that are known to be successful. One of the first things to let your child do once you’ve purchased a guitar is to let them play around with it. Exploring helps a child become familiar with the instrument and gets them excited about playing. 

After a child has had a chance to simply engage with the instrument for a while, here are some ways your kids can really start learning:

1. Music apps – As we discussed above, music apps are one of the best ways for kids to learn. And for that, we highly recommend Notey’s World. It’s fu and will keep your kids engaged, making them want to practice. Try it free here.
2. Online video tutorials – You can learn pretty much anything on YouTube, and guitar is no exception. That are tons of guitar teachers posting free video tutorials online. However, these videos won’t make your kid practice. So if you choose this route, you’ll have to figure out how to incentivize them to practice regularly.
3. Books – Yes, it’s old school, but it can still work. How to learn guitar books can help your kid learn the basics, including hand positions, notes, scales, etc. However, this is probably the hardest way to learn, as your kid has to really dig in to it and decipher what they are reading. Not to mention, they can’t actually hear anything other than what they are playing – so it can be hard to know if they are doing it correctly.
4. Private lessons – Private lessons can be one of the best ways to learn to play guitar, as it’s in-person and your kids get immediate feedback. However, there’s an obvious downside here – these lessons are super expensive. However, if you can afford them, by all means, we recommend!

Setting A Practice Schedule

While apps, lessons, and guitar size are all crucial components of a child learning how to play guitar, the most important component of all is having a practice schedule. Without practicing, skills that have been learned will become stagnant and forgotten. 

Depending on your child’s age, it is important to set realistic expectations for how long their practice sessions should be each day. Remember learning how to play the guitar is supposed to be fun, so you don’t want them resentful of a schedule before they even start.

However, sticking to a practice schedule is one of the main indicators of whether or not a child will be successful in learning to play guitar. Make the schedule together so that your child has ownership for their own time and guitar-playing goals. 

Final Thoughts on Kids Learning to Play the Guitar

The guitar is an instrument that can hold many kids’ interest and brings many benefits while learning to play. While it does take time and practice, it is a great extracurricular activity for both homeschool and traditional students. Kids learn numerous skills, and it can become a social activity as they age and form groups and bands together. 

In fact, learning to play guitar would be a great activity to add to your summer homeschool schedule!

Remember that size and type of guitar matter when purchasing a new instrument. Don’t forget to put together a consistent practice schedule so that your child will be set up for success in learning how to play the guitar.