How to Choose the Correct Size of Acoustic Guitar for Children
Unless you're an experienced guitarist yourself, picking an appropriately sized guitar for a child can be a little daunting. Here are a few steps you can take to reduce the risk of buying an incorrectly sized guitar that might hinder or even derail a child's progress as he or she learns to play.
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Instructions
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Decide upon the style of acoustic guitar that the child will be playing. If she is going to be going to a teacher for lessons, it's a safe bet that the teacher will prefer her to have a nylon-strung classical model. Classical guitars are usually smaller than folk guitars, and if your child is older, an adult-sized model may actually work for her. If she is going the self-taught route, then she can choose between nylon-strung classical and steel-strung folk models. Both are good choices; the nylon strings are easier on the fingers, while the steel strings give an edgier, more pop-oriented tone.
It's a good idea to include your child in this decision. You want her to be excited about the guitar, but if the size, style and color of an instrument have already been decided, there's more of a chance that playing the instrument will seem like a chore to which she's been assigned. Involving her in the decision-making process may well make her feel more excited and emotionally invested in it. -
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Do a little online research about the features, construction and prices of various small-scale guitars at an online retailer's website (see Resources). The descriptions should have dimensions listed, which will enable you to compare sizes and their respective prices. You may not want to actually buy from an online store, especially without your child having a chance to hold the guitar to see how it feels and sounds, but it's a good idea to read up on a few different models to get an idea of what your budget will buy you.
There was a time when kids' guitars were little more than toys, and were priced as such. In recent years, however, many regular guitar manufacturers have been making quality instruments in kid sizes. These models look and play like scaled-down versions of the adult-sized version, and many of them sound excellent. -
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Consider the age of your child. As a general rule, 1/2-scale guitars are aimed at very young players under 7, while 3/4-scale models are more suited to kids between 8 and 11 years old. A child over 11 may well be able to handle an adult-sized model. Bear in mind that these rules are not hard and fast, and some children who are big for their age may well be able to handle a larger guitar. If anything, for a child who's on the cusp, it's better to go for a guitar that's slightly too large. Kids do grow fast after all, so paying money for a guitar that'll be outgrown in a few months might be a poor investment.
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Take your child to the music store and have him look around at some of the kid-sized models on offer. Have him pick up and hold different styles and sizes to see which ones appeal to him. It doesn't matter if a chart or printed guide indicates that a guitar is suitably sized for a child of a certain age, if when he pick its up, it feels awkward to him. Let him tell you which guitars feel like a good fit.
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Ask plenty of questions of the salesperson. Armed with the knowledge you gained from reading online reviews and product descriptions, you'll want to get answers to any pertinent questions you may have about the guitars and their features, as well as details about the store's return policy. It may take a week or two before you're totally sure that you bought a guitar that's a good fit for your child, and it would be nice to have the option of exchanging it for a different model in the event that you discover that you didn't pick the right size.
You can't always rely on a salesperson to guide you to the perfect instrument for your child; the bottom line is they are trying to sell. So, if at all possible, it's a good idea to have an experienced guitarist accompany you when you go to buy the guitar. This person may be able to show your child a couple of basic chord shapes in the store so that your child can see if her hands are large enough to negotiate the guitar neck comfortably. An experience guitarist would also be able to try out the guitar and rate its playability and tone.
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Tips & Warnings
Ask if the music store has a trade-in policy. Many stores will allow you to bring in an instrument a couple of years after you bought it, and providing it's in good condition, they will allow you the price you paid, as a trade-in on an upgraded or upsized model. This is a great way to lessen the financial impact of a child outgrowing an instrument. When you buy the guitar, don't forget accessories such as a tuner, carrying case and guitar strap. A classical teacher may frown upon a student abandoning the classic sitting pose, but it's a safe bet that your child will want to work on guitar poses in front of the mirror. It's all part of the fun, really.
Don't buy an adult-sized guitar for a small child in the hope that he might grow into the instrument. If a child can't properly hold the guitar or reach around the neck to hold down strings, then there's little chance of it sustaining his interest. He'll get frustrated pretty quickly, and the guitar is likely to sit in the closet, unused.
