WHY WAITING UNTIL 7 OR 8 FOR GUITAR LESSONS IS A GREAT IDEA
Hawaii MusicWorks
If your little one has been strumming a toy guitar, air-guitaring to their favorite songs, or begging for lessons, you might be wondering—should we start now?
I totally get it! As moms, we love to nurture our kids' passions, especially when it comes to music. But here’s something you might not expect—waiting until around 7 or 8 to start formal guitar lessons is actually a good thing! Let me tell you why.
1. Little Hands Need Time to Grow
Guitars, even the smaller kid-sized ones, require a good amount of finger strength and coordination. Before age 7 or 8, many kids struggle to press down the strings properly, making it tough to play without frustration. Their hands just need a little more time to grow and get stronger!
Guitars, even the smaller kid-sized ones, require a good amount of finger strength and coordination. Before age 7 or 8, many kids struggle to press down the strings properly, making it tough to play without frustration. Their hands just need a little more time to grow and get stronger!
2. Focus & Patience Make a Big Difference
Guitar isn’t just about strumming—it takes focus, patience, and fine motor skills to learn chords, finger placement, and technique. Older kids tend to have an easier time following instructions and practicing without getting discouraged.3. Fun Musical Activities While They Wait
Just because formal guitar lessons can wait doesn’t mean your child has to stop exploring music! Here are some fun ways to build their musical foundation:- Consider keyboard lessons – It’s an excellent first instrument because it visually lays out music theory concepts for developing fine motor skills and finger strength.
- Encourage rhythm games – Clapping games, drumming, or even tapping on a tabletop can help develop a strong sense of timing.
- Sing together! – Learning songs and singing along helps with musical ear training, which will make guitar playing easier later on.
4. They’ll Be More Ready & Excited!
By waiting until they have the strength, coordination, and patience to truly enjoy learning, you’re setting them up for a much more positive experience. They’ll be able to play real songs sooner, feel less frustrated, and actually stick with it!So if your little rockstar is eager to play, keep encouraging their love for music! But don’t worry if they’re not quite ready for formal lessons yet—good things come to those who wait. 🎸