Buying a guitar for kids — Which size is the right one?
At the beginning of each new semester, many children start taking guitar lessons again. But which guitar should you buy for this purpose? Or is it even worth renting one?
Just a note: This post is not intended as a template for guitar lessons for children. It is more of an experience report that I want to share with you. What, how, or where you ultimately buy it should still be up to each individual.
By the way, the thing in the picture is a ukulele. I only took the picture because it’s extremely small! 😛
Acoustic or Electric Guitar?
I always recommend an acoustic guitar at the beginning (for adults or children).
The distances between the strings are greater. The strings are thicker and cut into the fingers less. An acoustic guitar is less prone to technical difficulties (especially with children who turn everything and pull out cables mercilessly, etc. 🙂
Nevertheless, I teach many children who started with an electric guitar and still made it. So, as always, it’s an individual question.
Trying out different guitars in a music store would certainly help here.
Buy or Rent?
I myself only know one guitar store that rents out guitars. Namely Musik Hug at Bellevue in Zurich.
Whether renting is still worthwhile despite the prices for beginner guitars is another question.
Thomann is a good place to go for acoustic guitars:
Thomann Guitars
And Gear4Music for electric guitars (including complete starter packs):
Gear4Music Guitars
Which Guitar Size for Which Body Size?
Depending on the body size, the guitar should also be adapted to it.
Here is a list:
In general, if a guitar is too big, the head is simply too far away and the arm would have to be stretched extremely. It makes little sense to practice like that, as the guitar would fall down when “gripping” it.
A guitar that is too small is therefore less bad. Ed Sheeran, for example, also plays on a smaller — 3/4 size — guitar. That is also possible, of course.
Nevertheless, you don’t want to have to buy a new guitar all the time. That’s why I often recommend taking a 3/4 guitar size (electric or acoustic), as this is a good middle ground and the child will eventually grow into it and could still play it with a body height of 2m.
As always, this information is without guarantee and may vary from child to child. Trying out a guitar in a guitar shop and then perhaps even buying it right away can answer many questions here.
By the way, I got my first guitar at [Die Gitarre](https://www.diegitarre.ch/) and it was also the 3/4 size. I was 7 or 8 years old back then, but already a tall lanky kid! 😛
