Open to Suggestions

Hi Melissa,
Just my take on the left-handed thing.  Unless my students come to me already playing left-handed, I teach ALL of my students to play right-handed--lefties included.  Some of the benefits are that lefties already have dexterity in their left hands for fretting, not having to "flip" chord charts in their heads, and there are more right-handed guitars out there.  Chances are, when he goes to a friends house and there is a guitar laying around, it'll be a right-handed guitar so he'll actually be able to play it.

Also, depending on his age/size, a full-size electric may actually be appropriate.  Most of my students who play electric can handle a full-size by age nine--this of course can vary depending on the student.  The thin body style of most electrics, combined with the slimmer necks sometimes make them easier to handle than the 1/2 or 3/4 size acoustics.  I would also recommend a guitar strap, so it doesn't "slip away" on him.

Hope this helps.

Hello Melissa,

This is what we did with our son Tallan who started playing guitar at 5.

He started playing a full sized guitar right away.  He's arms were not long enough to reached the end of the neck, so we used a capo at the thrid fret.  You can adjust where you set the capo depending on his size and reach.

We found that one problem was finding a music store to even consider giving him lessons at 5, most told us he would have to be atleast 7-8 before the would sign him up.  If you have someone that will take time with him now that's GREAT, if not just keep talking with different stores and you'll find someone willing.  You could even ask them for a trail lesson and ask them to just give you a 15 minute lesson.  Most instuctors are worried that young kids don't have the attention span for 30 minutes.  So a 15 minute trail lesson will atleast give you a chance to really see: first, if the teacher is right for you and second, if your son is ready for lessons.

We started Tallan with 30 minute lessons and it wasn't enough so we added different instructors during the week to speed thing along.  Now he's taking lesson for an hour a couple of times a week.  It will all depend on your son's passion to learn and most importantly his willingness to practice.  Without pratcice, lessons are useless.

Another thing we found out is the 3/4 scale guitars don't like to stay in tune.  When Tallan's playing his 3/4, he's constantly retuning. 

Can't help you with the lefty thing but Fretwork is probably right.  The guitar industry seems to favor right handed players.  A lot more options.

IMHO, if you're afraid to take your son to try out some guitars because he might not leave, that means to me that he has a passion at a young age that most don't get til their teens. 

Don't listen to anyone when they tell you he's too young, if I did Tallan wouldn't be where he is today.  We are asked to sit in with bands all the time and he's only 7.  It's never to young for music.

You can find out more about Tallan at his website:  www.tallanlatz.com.

If you ever have any questions please let us know, we'll be happy to help.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Take Care,
Carl

the best guitar you can get is a Fender Strat.  I bought a mexican strat 12 years ago for $250 (I think they are $350 now) and I still play it.  Good for beginners

I'm a Lefty who plays Right -Handed. You have to use both hands, equally. So, I agree with the above posts.

    A Mexi Strat is the way to go. Or a Peavey Raptor, if the Strat is too much. It's Strat shaped, with a Humbucker bridge PU.

    Full size, if at all possible.

    A parent should attend every lesson, from start to finish. This way, the parent can help the kid between lessons. This is mandatory for all of my students under 12 yrs. old.

    Under 12 yrs. old, the kid may only want to play for a few months. I'd say that this is okay. Keep the experience a positive one. No forcing the kid. Gentle help with structuring practice is good. Beyond that, let the kid flake out if they want. In a couple more years, the kid will want to start again. If they have positive memories of their experiences.

    Music is a real enriching thing. In too many ways to list them all. Sharing it with another person, is a wonderful experience.

I also have a Mexi Strat that I've had pretty much since I started playing guitar... After these 8 or so years with it, I still play it all the time- it's nice and worn and plays and sounds better than any strat Fender is making today except for the Custom Shop ones- the only new strats I would buy now would be the Custom Shop strats (even the Mexi Custom Shop designed strats)- they're just worlds above and beyond standard mexi and american strats put out now...

just my $.02

Hope this helps some in your search...

Scott

While I understand the fullsize arguement, I have another opinion.  The mini squire strat is half size, managable for a five year old(just bought one for my daugther's fifth birthday), and is much better quality that I'd expected for 99 bucks at guitar center.  Take it to a luthier, have him check the nut, frets, set it up, add new tuners if you must.  THe pickups are fine.  Save the bucks for a real guitar of their liking at age 8-9(or later, if they are small).  My full size guitars are unweidly for a little tike.  I think a big part of it is to give them something they can drag around under their own power.

DonR