Most parents treasure the happiness their children feel when learning an instrument and having fun.

But what about when there are tough times? And challenges?

Learning guitar is full of highs but with the highs and also be lows as well. The path to mastering anything takes time, perseverance and effort.

But it’s guitar? Guitar is the easiest instrument to play?

Guitar is immensely popular and therefore there are a lot of misconceptions about how easy it is to learn guitar.

There are adults who believe that you can master guitar in under 3 months.

While there are very very basic concepts that one might be able to do in 3 months. To truly master anything takes 10,000 hours plus, quoting Malcolm Gladwell.

Why is learning a musical instrument so important for a child

This is why learning a musical instrument becomes so key for a child. There is so much more development a child goes through when they learn to play guitar vs playing sports or other activities.

With learning guitar, they get the opportunity to:

  • Take constructive criticism from their teacher
  • Learn to practice with someone watching them
  • Learn to practice on their own accord (this may take time to develop)
  • Have the realization that if they put in more effort = more development.
  • Getting through challenges that holds them back.
  • Learn team work by playing with others both on stage and off stage.
  • Improves their communication skills.
  • Improves their confidence when they perform on their own.
  • Some of our students even develop time management by scheduling their practicing around their other commitments.

Guitar is particular great because they have so many opportunities to play with other children. It’s one of the most sociable instruments.

Guitar is also a “cool” instrument and with learning guitar, they develop a lot of charisma that is not developed when learning classical instruments.

All these things are vital beyond just developing musicianship but for success in any child.

In this modern age, there are less interactions between children with the up rise of video games and social media.

Learning something like the guitar really helps to promote social interactions for them and improves their confidence which is something that is increasing lacking in children and more so in teenager’s lives.

When should your child start learning guitar?

If they start to learn guitar from the age of 8 onwards with great support from their parents, their skills can be proficient by the time they are around 13 years old, where being able to play guitar is going to really benefit them. It gives them something to call “theirs” and makes them feel more unique.

If your child is already a teenager, that’s okay too. A lot of the best guitarists in the world didn’t start till 14, 15 years old. Some even older.

Getting a great guitar teacher is going to help any child learn the guitar much faster. And inspiration is very important for children to get a spark in them to spend tremendous amount of time playing guitar.

This can happen at any point and this spark of inspiration combined with effort and perseverance is the key in success in both learning the guitar. And every endeavor your child may undertake in their life.

More about author:

Jennifer is the manager of a guitar school based in London, helping kids and adults learn guitar and developing a love of music for life. Taking a holistic approach that means students don’t just learn to play guitar but appreciate the instrument and develop an understanding of music.