Electric guitar or guitar lessons

[Princess Alison]

Does anyone's child have these - would you recommend electric or normal or does it not really matter? Also what might I expect to pay for a private lesson do you think ?

[BarrettFamily]

DH has been having lessons. he says which ever guitar they are more passionate about. Electric guitar is easier on the fingers and might be cheaper but you don't need an amp for an acoustic guitar. He also says that you can always get an acoustic guitar restrung with nylon strings if they find the steel strings too hard. We pay £40 an hour for lessons.

Hope this helps.

[8gotoWDW]

My DS age 10 has been learning guitar for past 2 years.

He bought a 3/4 size acoustic and his teacher says it was best to start with that as the strings aren't as sore on a new learners fingers. Think as he goes on he will also do electric.

He has a wee friend that does electric though so depends on what your passion is.

We pay £60 for 4 half hour lessons

[jndt]

My 17 year old has been playing electric guitar for 3 years - he has taught himself electric bass. He has group lessons at the local music centre but he's in the top class now so will finish at the end of the term.

[Princess Alison]

Thanks all! I don't know a great deal about guitars but it's so rare for my son to actually ask to do a hobby that I'm keen to give it a try. There's a guitar shop locally who also do lessons so I'll give them a call tomorrow. Sounds like it could be quite fun, albeit not cheap!

[tspill]

Always start with an acoustic to learn the basics for a few years.
Buy a decent secondhand one as you will get a much better instrument than spending the same money on new.

[sophiepop]

My Daughter learnt guitar a few years ago and its not a cheap hobby, but its worth every penny.

She started with an acoustic, I think we paid £200 all in for bag, stand and guitar.

It takes perseverance and the finger tips take a proper battering. She is starting to teach me now and its harder than she makes it look

Good luck, its well worth it

[mason1]

My 2 kids started with a 3/4 acoustic guitar and lessons at primary school. However, they got fed up with the structure of the lessons and didn’t feel they were getting anywhere.

DH wanted to learn, so we found a local teacher who comes to the house and has 25 minutes with each of them. They all have electric guitars, and haven’t had any problems with sore fingers etc. My daughter passed her Grade 3 electric guitar in the summer, and is now working towards Grade 6. My son and husband aren’t interested in grades, so are learning more for pleasure.

Guitars vary so much in price. The 3/4 acoustic ones were £79 each. The kids electric ones were 2nd hand from a guitar shop and cost £79 and £110. Husband went all out with a Fender which was significantly more expensive.

We pay £30 for all 3 lessons.

[Princess Alison]

Thanks all - I've booked a session locally to see how he gets on!