A Guide to Help Your Children Practice and Play the Guitar

Ever watch your kids pick up the guitar and notice they only practiced for about five minutes? Or how about when they practice, they haven't sounded any better since july of last year? Is their guitar sitting in the corner collecting dust?

Sad but true, nearly 85% of kids who get into playing the guitar, (whether it be acoustic or electric), stop trying around the sixth week of their first introduction. they look bored when trying to practice, or an arguement ensues once you ask them why they are not trying to play. That $450.00 guitar you got them for Christmas is sitting in their closet, getting beat up by the other things thrown in there.

Don't feel alone. I have seen this scenario at least a hundred times. This guide is to help you as a parent watch your child succeed playing the guitar. There are odds of knowing whether they actually want to learn or not, but with this guide, you can better understand where your child truely wants to go with this and what your kids want.

The actions you need to take as a parent before your kids learn how to play is for you to be just as dedicated as they are set out to be. if they are going to a music store to take their lessons, drive them there. also, just don't drop them off, walk in and take a look around. Pierce those ears of yours and see if you can hear them practice. one hint of warning though; don't let them know you are listening to them. some kids cannot concentrate if they know a parent is listening in on them. if your kids are learning on-line, look over their shoulder. See if the information on-line is true to form, even if you don't know how to play. Most reputable web-sites will have a good following of thousands, and google is a great way to check out it's true authenticity. Last, but not least, make sure the teacher is reputable, not some egomaniac trying to show your son tablature so he/she can put $10-24 an hour in their pocket, (believe me, they are out there).

1. Find inspiration. The main reason your kids will want to play the guitar is obviously they heard it being played before. they were inspired by a music star, or maybe just a song on the radio. Also, most kids these days usually know someone who plays already, and if it's in their "click", they will want to follow.

2. Keep The Guitar Accessible. Guitar cases are great when it comes to protecting the guitar, but if you want your kids to play and practice, take it out. hang it on the wall or get a guitar stand so they can just grab it anytime they are inspired to play. most often, when a guitar is stuck in it's case, it usually ends up underneath a bed or in the closet anyways.

3. Practice Time. Except for a select few musicians who conquered the hours upon hours of practicing, one of the fastest ways to get your kids to hate playing the guitar, is not understanding the time actually needed to practice. All kids are different, but when It comes to getting a general Idea of how long to practice, set it up for 30-45 minutes tops. This is everyday of course, but you also have to understand one thing as a parent. Your kids also have homework, chores, and of course, thier life to live. Yes, kids also have friends to maintain and schedules to meet. Talk to them about this. See If it's better to practice at 5:00 P.M. or 8:00 P.M. they actually have a life to live too, (even though you don't agree with what they do with this time).

4. Cancel out the Stress. when your kids practice, is there something else on their mind? While at home, is It too noisy or is there too much going on for anyone to concentrate. Remove the stress, minimize frustration, and most Importantly, let them have fun learning. if you see them having a bad day or even a bad week, let it go. cut practice time in half. Let them go out and have fun elsewhere too. If they think that they have to practice no matter what day or week they are having, you"ll run them away from this for sure.

5. Play With Them at Home. O.K., so your no Sergovia or John Mayer. Who cares? Nothing makes a kid want to play more than actually watching his/her parent get Involved. You might even understand from trying yourself, that this is no easy feat. Sing along, strum a few bars, even ask them how to do something. Let them play teacher and show you. The reward of this action alone keeps the kids interested. If your kids see that your proud of them by participating with them, chances are, they will keep it going.

With this simple guide, odds are your kids might even become another Sergovia or John Mayer, you never know.

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