5 reasons why your child should be learning the guitar

The guitar, the instrument that has brought us our favourite pop hits for years from blues legends, to gods of rock all the way to classical aficionados, is deeply rooted in nearly every culture. If your child isn’t particularly sporty, or is very interested in music, then maybe you should consider getting them a guitar this Christmas.

Here are five reasons as to why you should get your child into the guitar

Coordination
- If you child needs to fine tune their motor skills the guitar is a great way to increase coordination ability. The process of actively using both hands in synchronization will allow kids to work on their fine motor skills, which in turn translates into many other pursuits.
Improves speech, reading, and picking tones of voice
- According to neuroscientists at Northwestern University, researchers have discovered that playing the guitar makes children better at reading, speaking and hearing the differences in people’s tone of voice. So, if you are looking to give your children an edge in the classroom, the guitar is a no brainer.
Low entry cost need to buy much else for a few years.
- If you think your child learning guitar is going to be expensive, we have some good news for you, it’s not THAT expensive! A beginner level Yamaha nylon string guitar will set you back no more than $100. However, if you feel your child might want the adrenalin rush of an electric guitar you can generally pick up a very cheap entry level electric guitar and amp for $200 – $300, not too bad considering you won’t
Great way to make new friends
- The guitar is an inherently social instrument. Sitting around jamming with friends is something kids love to do. Learning an instrument such as the saxophone, trumpet or flute doesn’t give kids this ability. The guitar also enables them to play all their favourite songs, which will make them less likely to quit.
Build more brainpower
- Playing the guitar, according to a Cambridge University study, makes musicians creative even when they aren’t playing. This means that your child can be more creative in their everyday life, just by playing the guitar!

Let us know in the comments below if your child plays the guitar, and if you think it has helped them develop!

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.

15 Comments

- - mom94378 said
  - 08 Nov 2015
    8:08 pm
Wish I had done this when I was young.

- - 4littlemunchkins said
  - 31 Oct 2015
    10:37 pm
Yes I want to start my sons with the guitar, I will look into it.

- - robyn_smithwick said
  - 11 Oct 2015
    7:55 pm
I love this instrument. I WISH I HAD LEARNT IT A LOT EARLIER! I learnt the piano when I was 9 and stopped lessons when I was in 3rd form at high school. Silly girl! However I have always kept playing and love it. I had some more lessons at 45 when hubby lost his job and I did teaching for a while. I got to grade 7 in 3 years. got honours in grade 4 which thrilled me a lot. I also play all types of organs. I think the guitar is harder to learn and play. I got a steel string guitar cause the chap in the shop said acoustic guitars with steel strings produce a better quality sound. The only thing is it hurts your fingers like hell! Also it is most annoying when you are about to play a chord like B MAJOR and one of your fingers lifts off the fret when you don’t want it too . lol!!! I must get it out and give it another try one of these days! Great idea to teach kids early on if they want to learn and practice..

- - 5beautboys said
  - 09 Oct 2015
    8:44 am
I remember as a child learning guitar, I only did the basics, but still remember them today. Only one of our 5 boys have taken an interest to this fabulous instrument. We pay $25 per lesson and are onto his 4th month. He actually got an electric one for the previous Christmas, so eventually it’ll lean towards that. I think the main thing, if your child wants to learn, like anything else, they will only better themselves if they actually have an interest in whatever they are learning.

- - mom160421 said
  - 08 Oct 2015
    5:42 pm
My daughter tried to learn the guitar earlier this year but found it difficult to reach some of the fret (?) positions and it hurt her fingers. Hopefully she will try again when she’s a little older and her hands are bigger.

- - Melanie said
  - 07 Oct 2015
    1:13 pm
My sister just bought my niece a guitar for her birthday. She is so excited!

- - mom150983 said
  - 14 Sep 2015
    5:13 pm
Great article thank you for sharing

- - bedda1 said
  - 14 Sep 2015
    2:47 pm
Wish I’d seen this article before Miss 8 decided she wanted to play the drums!

- - mom74640 said
  - 10 Sep 2015
    9:09 am
Lke it

- - kathryn said
  - 10 Sep 2015
    8:08 am
I really enjoy watching my three year old play with musical instruments…she has a little guitar,drum kit and recorder. With the noise I sometimes question my choices in toys but the smile on her faces changes that!

- - dixigirl said
  - 10 Sep 2015
    7:27 am
Children should always be around music.

- - mom113055 said
  - 09 Sep 2015
    11:14 pm
5 reason in learning the guitar for the kids

- - mum4107 said
  - 09 Sep 2015
    8:30 pm
My toddler loves music and toy guitars, will see where her interests head in the future

- - mom81879 said
  - 09 Sep 2015
    7:21 pm
Nope. My kids are more into,sport, less into musical instruments. I think sport probably does all the guitar playing does, so I’m glad they’re not missing out

- - youngoldlady said
  - 09 Sep 2015
    6:35 pm
One of my adult children learnt the guitar but it never improved anything, he loves playing for the family and younger children. His friends made fun of him so did school mates. So he plays for enjoyment at home. He was able to borrow his uncle one and then progressed to one he wanted. My brother enjoyed playing it but never with his friends around, he was a very social able person too.