Need advise on teaching guitar to a 12 year old.

[vultures]

Teach him chords first, get his fingering down for that, make sure he can hold down solid notes for a little bit. Teach him the order of notes when you tune a guitar and go down the fretboard E, F, F#, G, G# etc.. Don't worry about teaching him which notes are where on the fretboard like "Oh A# is on this fret, this string", that might overload him at first. Then maybe ease into teaching him how to read music a little? Like edge into it slowy "This is an 8th note, this one's a 16th note, see how they look different?". I guess then you can teach him how to recognize each note on the fretboard and be able to find them?

I dunno, I'm not saying all in one day, over a bunch of lessons. I'm not even good enough to do all that myself Good luck teaching him man.

 

[Anonymous]

So my best buddy calls me and explains that his son has been pounding him to ask me to teach him how to play guitar, this guy would do anything for me so yeah I said sure. Tomorrow is the first lesson and I need advice on how to start this.

In an seriousness, is this how you want to spend your time? I mean... most kids who want to "learn to play guitar" actually just want to learn how to play specific songs from their favorite bands. They want you to figure them out on your own time and then teach them how to play them so they can go to Guitar Center with their buddies and impress the world.

I think the best thing you could do for this kid is recommend a qualified teacher who his dad will pay... trying to teach a kid guitar when you have no experience doing so (and for free no less) is likely to be a frustrating experience for both of you...

Steve

 

[amiller]

The one thing that I've noticed over my years of taking lessons is that the instructor usually doesn't have a plan or direction. They sort of just throw stuff at you to see what sticks...learn these cords, scale, fingerings etc.

I think the first thing you need to do is assess his skills and desires. Get a REAL good handle on where he is and where he wants to go. Once you have that info, sit down and figure out what's needed to get there and map out a plan. Design short term and long term goals all geared to the "end goal."

You also have to learn the alphabet before learning to read...the basics are important to get down first and get them right.

Well sure, after assessing his abilities you might find that as part of the plan he needs to learn the basics first...step one.

 

[Digital Jams]

So my best buddy calls me and explains that his son has been pounding him to ask me to teach him how to play guitar, this guy would do anything for me so yeah I said sure. Tomorrow is the first lesson and I need advice on how to start this.

In an seriousness, is this how you want to spend your time? I mean... most kids who want to "learn to play guitar" actually just want to learn how to play specific songs from their favorite bands. They want you to figure them out on your own time and then teach them how to play them so they can go to Guitar Center with their buddies and impress the world.

I think the best thing you could do for this kid is recommend a qualified teacher who his dad will pay... trying to teach a kid guitar when you have no experience doing so (and for free no less) is likely to be a frustrating experience for both of you...

Steve

Well overall your point is the long term goal, to get him off to a good instructor once it has been determined that he is progressing and is taking his practice time serious. This kid has a good head on his shoulders and his father has asked me to determine if he is wasting both of our time. He has also made it clear to his son not to waste my time.

That said my friend would bend over backwards for my kids and has already started to teach them surf fishing so this is the least that I could do. But yes.......if he is really sticking to it I will recommend a qualified teacher to further his goals.

 

[strungup]

So my best buddy calls me and explains that his son has been pounding him to ask me to teach him how to play guitar, this guy would do anything for me so yeah I said sure. Tomorrow is the first lesson and I need advice on how to start this.

In an seriousness, is this how you want to spend your time? I mean... most kids who want to "learn to play guitar" actually just want to learn how to play specific songs from their favorite bands. They want you to figure them out on your own time and then teach them how to play them so they can go to Guitar Center with their buddies and impress the world.

I think the best thing you could do for this kid is recommend a qualified teacher who his dad will pay... trying to teach a kid guitar when you have no experience doing so (and for free no less) is likely to be a frustrating experience for both of you...

Steve

+1

My nephew asked me to teach him and I showed him an easy song so he had somthing to work on but told him to find a good teacher. He took lesson for years and is better than me now.... I should follow my own advice

 

[Digital Jams]

Classic rock and he said the beetles so I am set with plenty of easy songs!

I just hope he doesn't ask you how to spell Beatles.

 

[Bob Savage]

Start him off on Michael Anthony bass lines. That apparently works well for young kids.

LOL! You're killing me...

 

[Digital Jams]

Start him off on Michael Anthony bass lines. That apparently works well for young kids.

I was thinking Running with the Devil.

 

[badger71]

Hmmmm....First off, does the boy's school teach music? Choir, band, orchestra, etc....? If they do, he may already be beyond EGBDF & FACE plus the accidentals. If he's got that foundation under his belt, then you have to relate it to the EADGBE & rest of the fretboard. Try to avoid TAB if possible. Theory should come in very small chunks....very small. Cowboy chords are a great start for hand strength and finger dexterity. Also, down picking excercises in 4 fret blocks is good....basically 1,2,3,4 up the frets, transfer to the next string over, 1,2,3,4, transfer...etc....all the way up the octave across all the strings. Reverse and do it back down the octave, 4,3,2,1, etc...Generally, this is the application. Your role, is to also look for bad habits week after week....hand placement, pick stroke, body positioning, etc....It's hard being a teacher but rewarding as well. You have to commit to it just like the student.

 

[stephen sawall]

I have been teaching on and off for 28 years. Different people learn at different rates. Most people give up after a few months , when they realize it takes more time than they think. Make sure he understands he well need to spend 1/2 hour or more everyday to move forward. Not to many people can play chords right away. If you forgot how it was when you started ,play your guitar left handed. I would just show him the open position E/B string. Better to learn right than fast. By the time he learns the open position teach him a chord or two. Then CAGED chords. Depending on his speed this well take 2 weeks / two months. It is a good idea to teach him a 2/3 chord song pretty soon so he feels like he is moving forward. Not everyone has the hands at that age to do it.

 

[Stratboy151]

ok a real answer, i seea bunch of dudes here to tell you to teach all the chords first, thats a big NO for me. i have been teaching the past 8 years or so and have seen countless students stop taking lessons due to the chords. single notes are easier, start with that, then move on to chords. if you need any help always feel free to ask.

 

[stephen sawall]

I have only had one guy come in after two week, ask to learn chords and was able to do it a week later. Every one else who thougth they could failed,and the guy who could hands hurt like hell. This was a man not a 12 year old.

 

[Bob Savage]

ok a real answer, i seea bunch of dudes here to tell you to teach all the chords first, thats a big NO for me. i have been teaching the past 8 years or so and have seen countless students stop taking lessons due to the chords. single notes are easier, start with that, then move on to chords. if you need any help always feel free to ask.

I've never really thought about it and don't remember exactly how I learned, but this makes a lot of sense.

 

[StevieRaveOn]

So my best buddy calls me and explains that his son has been pounding him to ask me to teach him how to play guitar, this guy would do anything for me so yeah I said sure. Tomorrow is the first lesson and I need advice on how to start this.

I know one thing and that is I am going to explain that you nead to learn right the first time.

How do I start this out??? Yngwies Arpegios from Hell maybe???

I am thinking,

string names
tuning
one alt picking exercise just to get him started...I aint raising no chugga chugga
a movable chord type form with the basic theory behind it.
quick 5 minute talk about what makes a guitar do what it does.

I figure get him moving to get used to simple motions and then slowly him him with a tad of theory.

On the picking point:

Get him set into alternate picking, but then a little later, give him some downstroke-only exercises. The ability for both I think will be a great asset. I've got some friends that can pick circles around me for two reasons... A) I'm a lefty-play-righty, or what's known around here as "gimp-handed" , and B) they learned downstroke-only for a long time. Now, alternating would be great for them, but they had to gain speed with down-only and are pretty quick.

I hear ya.......I know that I did not start a good foundation the first time around so I am going to go over alt picking just a tad and use it as a warm up exercise. I want him to get used to keeping that right hand in the same location everytimeand to be accurate.

btw I owe you a package....I am a late dufus

S'all good bro, no worries.

 

[Stratboy151]

ok a real answer, i seea bunch of dudes here to tell you to teach all the chords first, thats a big NO for me. i have been teaching the past 8 years or so and have seen countless students stop taking lessons due to the chords. single notes are easier, start with that, then move on to chords. if you need any help always feel free to ask.

I've never really thought about it and don't remember exactly how I learned, but this makes a lot of sense.

my first teacher in my first lesson ever gave me just about every open chord in the world he could fit on a single sheet of paper. i was one of the persistent ones with alot of drive and effort to really practice, but many people wouldve quit right there. im sure most of us started like that too, but that doesnt mean its the right way, nor wrong way for that matter, just "a" way i suppose..

 

[strungup]

ok a real answer, i seea bunch of dudes here to tell you to teach all the chords first, thats a big NO for me. i have been teaching the past 8 years or so and have seen countless students stop taking lessons due to the chords. single notes are easier, start with that, then move on to chords. if you need any help always feel free to ask.

I've never really thought about it and don't remember exactly how I learned, but this makes a lot of sense.

my first teacher in my first lesson ever gave me just about every open chord in the world he could fit on a single sheet of paper. i was one of the persistent ones with alot of drive and effort to really practice, but many people wouldve quit right there. im sure most of us started like that too, but that doesnt mean its the right way, nor wrong way for that matter, just "a" way i suppose..

I never took lessons but I should have. I remember how I started because it wasn't that long ago. One of my friends taught my super tramp give a little bit only because it was the song he knew how to play the best. I think it took me a month before it even resembled the song. I stuck with it but remember thinking I just plain suck a lot....

 

[mrp5150]

Alternate picking for his first lesson?

 

[Anonymous]

ok a real answer, i seea bunch of dudes here to tell you to teach all the chords first, thats a big NO for me. i have been teaching the past 8 years or so and have seen countless students stop taking lessons due to the chords. single notes are easier, start with that, then move on to chords. if you need any help always feel free to ask.

They should send this kid to you.

Steve

 

[badger71]

Sometimes, the biggest obstacle I've seen is not the student/child wanting to learn, it's the parents aren't ready for the cost both in lessons and gear. My kid needs what?! Oh, we're not spending that much....we'll get one at WalMart. Teaching style is subjective. The best teachers I've seen are the ones that adapt to the students needs/tastes. The student most likely won't want to do "weedly weedly" if John Mayer, Jewel, and Dave Matthews are their inspirations. Good technique, basic theory, and scale patterns/basic chords is the base foundation that I've always adhered to. As with most student/teacher relationships, it's best to have a consultation just to see where things sit.

 

[Stratboy151]

Alternate picking for his first lesson?

doesnt have to be alternate picking, but he should definetely get his fingers moving doing the basic "1234" exercise. the alternate picking should be introduced shortly afterwards though..