My son wants a guitar

My son's been asking for weeks now for a guitar. He even made one out of his toys and an elastic band.

Thing is, he's only 3 and a half.

The thing is, I can't play guitar, but I consider the guitar to be a gift from the gods. I couldn't bear to see a guitar buried in the bottom of a toy box.

Today, while browsing some of shops in the old side of Whitby (little independent shops), the lad suddenly nearly burst with excitement because he saw a music shop, he blurted out 'guitar' and we went in to have a look. He nearly burst with excitement when he spotted a guitar that was just his size. We picked it up and plucked it and it made a beautiful tone, not cheap sound at all even though it was less than £30. I told the lad we'll tell Santa that we saw it.

I don't know what to do. On one hand, if he has an artistic mind, I don't want to stifle that in any way, but at the same time, I can't let him have a real guitar and not treat it with respect.

Should I buy him it?

 

My son wanted a set of Drums. He never got one.
Mind you I'm tempted to buy my Grandson a set this Christmas.
I'm sure my Son will finally understand my reluctance

 

Clueless, there's only one way you'll find out if he has a talent for it! At that price I'd take the chance and buy it for Christmas. If it's not a five minute wonder for him and at his age takes it seriously, then you know you've done the right thing and it's always good to nurture a talent when they're young, they are quicker to learn. You could always sell it on if it doesn't work out.

I'd have had second thoughts if it had been a violin! That would have been ear-plug territory!

 

I think I'm going to pop along and buy it in secret for now.

I've just been talking to wife about it, and she said to buy him a toy one. I found myself quite agitated at the suggestion, until we realised she hadn't actually touched this guitar. The lad and I had. It was perfectly balanced, it felt solid yet comfortable to hold, it felt like a thing of beauty, and when we twanged it, even though it was totally random, it sounded out of this world.

At 3 and a half, I fully expect he'll lose interest for days or weeks at a time, and then have brief spells of it being his favourite thing again. I guess I'll just have to make sure he looks after it, and maybe see if there are any kiddy music clubs in the area for him to go to. It might be good for him and can't be bad for him.

 

If you explain to him it's not a toy and like a grown-ups one then he should respect it. I know he's young but children learn by what we teach them and hopefully with your guidance he will handle it with care. Have you thought of asking him why he wants one?
Has he seen one somewhere else perhaps, a friend may be?

 

Buy a Ukelele a four stringed guitar, that most can easily play, and the schools now teach it rather than the Recorder

If the one you have seen is HIS SIZE then it is most probably a ukelele



Jack McH

 

Good point. I don't know where he's got the idea from. There is a kid's programme on telly that he watches called Zingzillas. Its all about music, and each episode features a performance from a real music group, covering all sorts of different genres.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/zingzillas/songs/zingzillas-theme/

 

Jack, that's it. I can't believe I failed to realise it. I love the ukelele, from George Formby films.

I'm pretty sure that's what we saw in the shop.

 

Do it Cluless

 

Don't forget to get some replacement strings.
Little ones can be a little heavy handed at times!

 

Clueless - I say buy it. Tom Fletcher started playing guitar when he was very young perhaps about the same age as your son, and look at him now - he's part of the top band McFly and probably a millionaire

 

If a child shows a real interest in something I would definitely buy it and buy it again if it breaks it. The guitar has a price, but feeding his keen interest or maybe talent is priceless.

What you want at this age is to bring out his creativity and go along with his passions...learning how to play will come later.

You don't have to leave the guitar in the toybox, you would put it away high up on a shelf and give it to him only sometimes. If you live it in the toybox he will put many little things inside and the guitar will become a maracas!

There was an ad I think it was about a washing powder basically promoting the mess and calling it creativity. With my kids I went along those lines and although I had to pay the price of a quite messy place, I would do it again at least for a good 80%

 

why not book him some lesson too

 

Most definitely buy it!!! Wish I could see his face when he unwraps it!!!!!

Val

 

Yes, of course. What's the worst that can happen? Sure, it might fall by the wayside, but on the other hand, it could be a gift for life, music, I mean.