So my 6 yr. old twins really want to take guitar lessons. They got crappy starter guitars for the holidays which are already breaking.

So the questions are: What is a good, real starter guitar for them to learn on? How much should I spend? And about how much should lessons cost? Hopefully if I shell out the cash they'll stick with it, but we know how kids are.

PopTodd...has your son started playing yet?

Oh, and how the hell do I tune the things if I know nothing about playing myself?

Squier makes a mini version of the strat for about $100, but they are electric so you would have to buy an amp for about $50. You would probably want to get them acoustics but I don't know anything about starter acousitics. Make sure to get them guitars made for their age that are smaller than regular guitars. A good place to look online is www.musiciansfriend.com. Lessons should cost anywhere from $10 to $20 per half hour. In order to tune the guitars you should buy a guitar tuner which are about $10-$30 at any music store.

send him here:

http://www.schoolofrock.com/

That is the guitar that my 6-year-old son got for Christmas.
It's a pretty good little starter guitar.

And I bought him this amp to get started:

(only one WITHOUT the cigarette pack imagery)
And it works pretty well. If he wants to continue on, I will get him a "real" amp for his birthday in August.

He started taking lessons about a month ago and is taking to it very well.
We pay $17 per half hour,and by the month, so if he misses a lesson, it's still outta our pocket. But that's pretty standard.

Getting him to actually practice the lessons is kinda tough, but I bring my guitar into his room and do the exercises with him -- so it's pretty fun.

Overall, I'd say 6 is a little early, but if they are showing interest, not TOO early. Just keep it fun for them.

Oh and Buy an electronic tuner and have the guy at the store show you how to use it. They're pretty simple. (Plus they should learn how to tune as a part of their lessons.)

Have fun.
It's a gonna be a ruckus.

There's not much good to say about the Starter Guitar market. They know you won't need it to last long, and that you don't wanna spend much... and they build accordingly. But COOL of you for trying / helping him get into it. I was 13 when I started, and my dad had been telling me to play for like 8 years prior. Not when it's His idea, noooo. But when I see girls watching guys play guitar, suddenly I think about giving it a try.

Baby Taylor's are good starter acoustics.

Also, here's on online guitar tuner, but you'd be better off getting one of the smaller Korgs.



http://www.8notes.com/guitar%5Ftuner/

I wish I had started playing guitar when I was six as opposed to 14 when I actually started. I think that I would be at least twice as good If I had.