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Trouble-maker!
Too young for lessons!

• Buy from a music store - not a discount warehouse.
• Internet 'Bargains' -- There is very little, if any, advantage to buying on the Internet.

Local dealers have prices on new instruments already marked to match Internet 'bargains' - and there is less risk when you buy local. This is true for all accessories, too.

I highly recommend Buddy Rogers and Willis Music.

• For small kids, select a small guitar.
  
• Get a strap. It will help the beginner hold the instrument and also prevent dropping it. If a child can't HOLD it comfortably, then she can't PLAY it.
  
• Don't skimp on quality. That beginner guitar is a future travel guitar IF you buy one with good tone that stays in tune.
   
  • 1/2 size models for ages 6-9
    
  • 3/4 size models for ages 9-11 (I played a 3/4 size Gibson 135 into my teens - wish I still had it..)
    
  • full size guitars for age 12 and older

1/2 size electric model

Tip: Let your local dealer pro 'set it up' - it makes the guitar easier to play.

• I'm asked this a lot.
  • A beginner can learn on either acoustic or electric
  • Electrics require a small amplifier - additional investment
  • Acoustics are quieter
  • You can't play heavy metal on an acoustic guitar; so if that's what your teenager wants to do, then help him do it.
• IMPORTANT: the guitar must have a nice rich tone, be easy to play and easy to tune. (NOTE: Guitars need to be tuned all the time).
• A classical style guitar is harder for beginners to play due to its wide neck
• There is less string tension (easier to play) on a smaller scale guitar
  
   
• Better Beginner Acoustics for small students: (Avoid WalMart toys)
  • Baby Taylor
  • Cort Earth Series 3/4
  • Little Martin
  • Yamaha JR1
  • Dean EVO JTJ 1/2 size
  • Squier MA-1
    

• Better Beginner Electrics for small students
  • Squier Mini
  • Ibanez Mikro
  • Dean Playmate EVO J
  • ESP KH Jr

Recommended amplifiers for electric guitars

• More important than the brand is that you buy from a local dealer who provides service. I recommend Buddy Rogers and Willis Music
• Peavey, Yamaha, Fender, Line6, Vox, Marshall - all good brands
• Many models have built-in effects and a headphone feature.
  
  • CAUTION: supervise the use of headphones to avoid damage to the child's ears!

  

• Yes, price is a legitimate indicator of quality
  • "Made in China" might be an indicator of lower quality; be careful
    
• Build quality indicators
  • the guitar resonates with good tone
  • it is easy to play
  • it is easy to tune
  • it is well-crafted and finished
    
• Acceptable economical substitutes:
  Epiphone for Gibson
  Squier for Fender
  Dean
  Ibanez
  ESP

Tip: Let a pro "set up" your new guitar; it makes a huge difference in playability.

At left: Squier Deluxe Strat

• carrying case or bag
• a comfortable strap
• a digital tuner
• spare strings and some picks
• a Care Kit - polish and a soft cloth
• a capo
• BEST GIFT - 5 lessons with Prof. Adams

Casio Privia

See also:

Kawaii
Roland
Yamaha
Kurzweil

Kurzweil

Recommended Pianos

Buy a digital piano. Digital pianos are easy to move - need no tuning - and they sound great.

Real Piano Feel is very important - get 88 weighted keys, not plastic organ keys.

A 'real' piano costs as much as a new car: Digital pianos cost about as much as a new set of tires.

Pianos have a different feel than a 'keyboard.' You want a piano - not a keyboard. The term "keyboard" encompasses toy whiz-bang noise-makers. Avoid discount store toys if you want to take lessons; they are not suitable practice instruments.

Some of the Casio Previa series digital piano come close to a real piano feel. I have found that on many digital pianos the keys are stiff or have a rubbery bounce that makes them hard to play. This is an important factor, especially for a beginner. [Fact: maestro Vladimir Horowitz had the keys on his personal Steinway adjusted to make it extremely easy to play.]

Shhhh! Your budding artist can practice while wearing headphones and all that you will hear is the gentle clicking of the keys. CAUTION: supervise the use of headphones!

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