Off Topic Teaching: How young is too young?

[Nitsuj]

Teaching kids younger than 12 is a waste of time in my experience. Its play school for these toddlers and its all about what funny noises I can make with the guitar. And there will be teachers that cater to this demographic, just not for me.

The gear only starts to kick in when their buddy in school can play that ACDC lick and they want that piece of the action and crave for more chops. That's how it is.

 

[straycat113]

Well I can tell it like I see it as I teach my son. First both my boys are left handed and that led me to believe they would have to play lefty. My older son who was blessed with the lazy musicians gift a great voice never took to the guitar. My little guy was into it so at 8 I bought him one of those little acoustics and switched the nut and strung it lefty. He learned 5 chords and then lost interest and I did not want to force him.

Believe it or not it was not till he just turned 11 and wanted guitar hero which burned my ass as he sat there four hours a day playing video guitar, that I must admit a change happened. First I started hearing songs like Mr Crowely and Iron Man blasting through the house and would catch him on youtube watching Randy Rhoades and Vanhalen. Then after about 3 months he comes and says he wants to play the real thing. Another good thing is he played guitar hero righty. Well he has been playing 8 months now and I dont know if it is God given but the kid has amazing dexterity and wants to play everything fast. I cant believe he sweeps three string arpeggios and is a fantastic alternate picker. I would say he plays an hour a day but then he plays video games for 3. I dont force him to practice and I will show him something but wont move on until he can show he can play it.

Now because it is my kid I find myself yelling sometimes when I see him drift off and not focused but it will try your patience that I can assure you.lol I believe 5 and 7 to be to young as they are going to find it a bit painful at first to. That is one everyone hear has long forgotten, and the attention span will be a problem. But hey give it a shot and see how it goes. Just remember you have to be super patient.