Learning how to play a musical instrument is an excellent tool for children to develop their fine motor skills, musical talent, and learning behaviors. However, not all children can pick up on the skill as easily as others.
If you want your child to learn to play the guitar a little bit better, here are some ways to help:
1. Hire a tutor or teach them yourself
If you know how to play the guitar, spend at least a few minutes of every day teaching your child before you hire a guitar tutor in Salt Lake City. Work your way up from the basics to the more complicated chords. If a child doesn’t learn best in a classroom or group setting, they may learn better in one-on-one lessons, especially with a person they are comfortable with.
Alternatively, hire a tutor that has professional experience with teaching kids. A professional teacher should be able to focus on your kids’ weaknesses and help improve their strengths in a way that children can understand.
2. Start at the right age
Playing the guitar requires a certain level of dexterity, which usually develops at 8 or 9 years old. More than that, a young guitar player needs to have enough hand strength and fine motor skills to play chords properly. Hence, starting guitar lessons at 8 or 9 years old is the most ideal time. However, there’s no harm in letting younger kids try playing small guitars; just don’t force them into it.
3. Learn favorite songs
Many children learn instruments better when they are learning how to play their favorite songs, so it’s a good idea to start with that. Ask your child what songs they would like to learn first and watch how determined they will become to learn the chords.
4. Let them make noise
When you give a child a musical instrument, you’re signing yourself up for additional noise in the house. Within reason, let your child play the guitar when they want to. If they want to sing along, let them. In this way, you’re letting your child know that playing the guitar is encouraged. And in time, their skills will get better so that the “noise” eventually becomes music.
5. Get an appropriate guitar
Buy a guitar that’s just the right size for your child. Therefore, they will be able to play chords without putting too much pressure or stretching their fingers excessively.
6. Give constructive criticism
Constructive feedback is very important to children’s learning curves, especially when learning a musical instrument. Always take the time to provide constructive feedback to your young guitarist. If they are playing a little bit too crassly, show them how to play more softly. On the other hand, if they are playing a new chord the right way, be sure to compliment the achievement.
There are many benefits of guitar playing to children, such as improved fine motor skills, increased confidence, and better musical ability. However, if your child is having trouble learning how to play the instrument, these tips can help them learn much better and faster as they grow up. Who knows? This childhood hobby can be an excellently refined skill in the future.
