Hello, I've been playing guitar for around 6 or 7 years. Today when I was at work, I overheard a lady telling a coworker that she was trying to find a guitar instructor for her child. After talking to her for a little bit, it was decided that I will give two 30 minute lessons twice a week. The kid is 6 years old. She's only had four fifteen minute lessons before, so it will basically be like starting fresh. I've never taught guitar before, and kind of have no clue what to do, especially when it's teaching a 6 year old. I was thinking about starting off with teaching her to read music, but I don't really know if she has the patience or capacity to even learn at that age, I really have no clue on what to do. Do you guys have any suggestions or tips?
I would try and just write out tabs of songs she likes for the kid. I started playing piano at a pretty young age... like 3rd grade and a lot of the stuff I learned I've forgotten. It's good to learn how to read music but I think it's also important to learn how to enjoy playing and listening to music as well.
Try teaching her a simple song. Just reading music might be boring for her. That's pretty cool you're giving lessons.
I would say start ultra-basic. It is a 6 year old after all. Teaching a song right away will be tough. Show how to hold a guitar and a pick properly. Then maybe introduce a few basic chords. Show which fingers go where for a couple of the basic chords. Once they have fingers in the right spot have them pick each string first (to make sure there fingers aren't muting the strings, etc.) and then have them strum. Give lot's of positive encouragement. I know what you mean, holding a 6 year olds attention could be tough. Maybe some sort of rewards system could work depending on what kind of kid they are.
6 is awfully young to expect much from. Got a tiny little guitar to fit those hands? She also might not put up with it for 30 minutes and get sick of you quick. Most kids do better to start guitar in their teens. Now fiddle's a good instrument for a kid that young. They make em all sizes. The instrument has to fit the size or you're wasting your time.
She has her own guitar, so I'm assuming it's her size. And I'm not really worried about her getting sick of me, most kids seem to like me for some reason. 30 minutes is probably sort of lengthy for a 6 year old, I'm not sure why her parents wanted more than 15. I just didn't really know what to start her out with, or even what the comprehension level of a 6 year old is. Anyways, thanks for the suggestions guys. Hopefully if this goes well, they can recommend me to other people seeking to learn.
I started learning violin when I was six and there were some that started at 2 or 3 with quarter sized violins. You'd be suprised what they can do.
