If you are the parent of a child who wants to play guitar, this story will illustrate the many ways you can help them.
Back in the days when I was teaching at Kenny Gill Music, David’s father came in to buy a guitar for his five-year-old son. He bought a ¾ size Martin, a very expensive guitar, which was the perfect size for a child that age. Many parents buy their child the cheapest guitar they can find. They figure they’ll get a better one after they learn to play. They don’t want to waste the money in case the child doesn’t learn, but it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy, where the inadequate instrument causes the student to do poorly. It’s much better to get a good quality guitar that they can learn to play. This also sends the message that you believe in them and that you think they’ll succeed.
I started teaching David right away, and his father came to the lessons with him every week. Since David was so young, his dad learned with him to help him remember, and at home they would practice together. After a few months, he could play several songs and was doing very well, but he didn’t quit then. He took lessons for three years, and by the time he was eight, he could play all the popular songs on the radio as well as any adult, and he could make even the most difficult chords. When David was nineteen he called me out of a clear blue sky to thank me for teaching him. He said he was working his way through college playing guitar in his band. That really made me feel good!
When you buy your child a good guitar, get him lessons right away. Making them wait is discouraging, and it is bad for the guitar to go
un-played. The best strategy is to find a good teacher first and let them recommend the guitar you need.
Get involved in your child’s lessons. Older children don’t need you to practice with them, but they do need you to take them to the lesson each week, and they do need you to pay for the lessons, and they do need you to encourage and support them. Learning to play music is lengthy and difficult at best. Don’t take lessons for a few months and then quit.
Commit for several years, and your child will reach their full potential.
Meanwhile, if I can help in any way, please call.
Paul Daron (225) – 292-1044
www.guitarlessons292-1044.com
Thanks for reading,
Paul
