If you want to try learning some guitar on your own, here is a fun website:

http://littlekidsrock.org/teachers-overview.html

Click on "Download our free lessons" and you can have a lot of fun! They also have free drum lessons on the same website.

1. Where should I go to find a good guitar?

A. Go to a music store that carries a full line of guitars and which will let you rent a good quality beginner's guitar. Ask about service. Do they repair guitars they sell?

2. Should I buy or rent a guitar?

A. Best bet is to rent a guitar when you start, provided that the rent paid will apply later on a purchase of any new or used guitar.

3. What kind of guitar should I use when starting?

A. Our advice is to start on an acoustic guitar, not an electric. Here is why: when starting, you need to learn to develop a good tone and you also need to develop good left hand technique. An electric will not give you the flexibility in developing a good acoustic tone. Also, some electrics have such low action or ease of fingering that you may be starting on an instrument with fingering too easy. (for example, how much good would you get by doing a "push up" if you only had to go 1/2 way up?)

4. Should I start with nylon or steel string?

A. Either will work, however, we do prefer nylon for young children provided that the guitar is of a suitably small size. Nylon strings are easier to finger for the beginner. You generally have less finger soreness during the first few weeks. If you do start on a steel string guitar, make sure to use a light gauge or extra light gauge strings. They will be easier to press down.

5. What size should the guitar be?

A. As a general rule the guitar should be small enough so that you can comfortably reach the first fret with the left hand and also easily reach down to strum the strings with the right hand. Size is very important. Never start with an oversized, jumbo guitar. Very fine 3/4 and 1/2 size guitars are now available for children and small adults. Do look into these smaller sizes when beginning. (West Music on-line; Guitar Center; Amory Music)

6. How young can someone start?

A. This is changing because very fine guitars are now being made in small sizes for the young beginner and methods are being written with the small child in mind. As a general rule, I (author of this article) would say 5 is a very workable age to consider beginning guitar instruction.

7. What if I am left handed?

A. Generally, we have advised the left-handed student to play the guitar just like a right-handed student. The left handed student will then be fingering the instrument with his or her most nimble hand. There are guitars with the strings "reversed" and we do have books out for the left handed student who wants to finger with the right hand and strum with the left.

8. Should I start with a pick or my fingers?

A. We recommend starting to strum chords and notes with the right hand thumb. Then,move into using the flatpick unless you ant to play classical or fingerstyle guitar.

9. What if my fingers are sore?

A. It is quite normal for the fingertips of the left (or fingering) hand to be tender or sore at the beginning. You will develop calluses after several weeks. Make sure you are using light or extra light gauge strings. If you are playing nylon strings and have continual sore fingers, try using a low tension string. Finally, make sure the strings are not too high off the fingerboard at the "nut." You can have this checked at your music store. This can easily be fixed by carefully filing down the string slots on the nut. This is a common adjustment needed for many student model guitars. BE sure, however, to have the music store do this for you.

10. Should I use a strap when I play?

A. A strap is used when standing and playing. Do not learn to play the guitar standing. Use proper seating posture.

11. How often should I change the strings?

A. The strings should be changed when they start to sound dull or when they become brittle to the fingers. For a beginner, this should not be more than once every three or four months.

12. Anything else I should know about my guitar?

A. The guitar is a wonderful instrument that can provide incredible fun and quality to your life. It will lead you into many styles and areas of music if studied diligently. Take care of your instrument. Do not leave it in the sun or locked up in the car in extreme hot or cold temperatures. Avoid dropping it or placing it where it can fall.

13. How long should I practice?

A. Quality of practice is better than quantity, especially at the beginning. Thus, try to plan several 15 or 20 minute segments a day and work up from there. Never practice when you are tired and cannot concentrate on what you are doing.

(excerpted from materials provided at NAMA/GAMM guitar summer workshop)