[HANASHIR:13497] Re: Learning Instruments

[Eric Komar <ekomar...>]

Hi Rosalie and interested friends,

As a long time teacher of guitar, my youngest student is 8, and I've found
that, as the attention span and finger agility of young kids go, this is
really the rock bottom. Whereas my more mature students take a 45 or even 60
minute lesson, what you might try is weekly 20-30 minute lessons, where the
goals of each lesson are simple and very concrete.

In terms of the guitar itself, you'll want to go with a 1/2-size. Just to
clarify, this is *different* than a regular classical guitar, which may be
smaller than folk guitars, but not necessarily small enough. Taylor actually
has a "baby" version which is quite cute. One of my 9 year-olds uses it and
it's fair quality.

While we're on the subject ... books: There are a bunch of colorful
large-print guitar books specifically for young children. Mel Bay has one,
although I haven't tried using it yet.

Good luck! - EK

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Eric Komar
Jewish Music Specialist - Songleader - Composer - Performer - Music
Typesetting/Transcription - Guitar Lessons
NY-NJ Area
718.344.0440      www.librarystuff.net/eric

----- Original Message -----
From: "cantorboxt" <cantorboxt (at) templeemanuelmd(dot)org>
To: <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
Sent: Monday, February 10, 2003 9:43 AM
Subject: [HANASHIR:13495] Learning Instruments


> Friends -- I need a little instrument advice.  5-6 year old child, wants
to
> learn an instrument.  Actually wants to learn piano, guitar, violin and
> drums (which mom ruled out immediately).  Before they go buy rent
> piano/keyboard, I needed a little help in terms of which instrument is
most
> advisable to begin with.  I think piano is versitile, but the kid has
> songleaders in his family and might find guitar more useful in that
regard.
> Is 6 to early to start guitar? Or violin?  I am not so knowledgable in
this
> area and would love some advice I can pass on to mom!
>
> Thanks
> Cantor Rosalie Boxt
> cantorboxt (at) templeemanuelmd(dot)org
>
>

------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------+