Beginning guitar book for my grandson

Kyle76 · #1 10-24-2023, 12:32 PM

My grandson is getting a 3/4-size guitar for his eighth birthday and is really excited about learning to play. I worked with him a couple of months ago on my Larrivee, but his hands are just not big enough for a full-size guitar yet. We live in different towns, so I’m looking for a book to help him learn simple chord shapes and maybe a few songs to play. A quick perusal on Amazon turned up several books of nursery rhyme songs. Maybe that’s a good start, but I have a feeling he’ll be bored by the nursery rhymes. Any recommendations?

Raj the Smiler · #2 10-24-2023, 12:50 PM

I can't recommend a book. Try TrueFire. They have a lot of video lessons.

Talk2Me · #3 10-24-2023, 12:56 PM

Teach him yourself via Zoom. The kid will know how to use it and you'll get some time with him as a bonus to the learning. Books are terrible (generally) to learn music as they are written word and music is sound.

frankmcr · #4 10-24-2023, 02:35 PM

The number one thing to find out is "what does he want to play?".

Bob from Brooklyn · #5 10-24-2023, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankmcr

The number one thing to find out is "what does he want to play?".

Bingo! Find something that will inspire him.

Osage · #6 10-24-2023, 05:03 PM

I would probably look for youtube lessons or something like that before a book.

And yeah, 1000% ask what he wants to play. and don't discourage him if it maybe doesn't seem like guitar music to you. My 9 year old Daughter had absolutely no interest in the guitar until one day I played a Lady Gaga song and she freaked out! She couldn't believe you could play that on the guitar and she immediately wanted to learn how to play.

The Watchman · #7 10-24-2023, 05:57 PM

You didnt say how old he was. Oops yes you did. Sorry.

JackC1 · #8 10-24-2023, 09:34 PM

Make sure to have his new guitar setup with low action.

As for books, for an 8 yr old, does he have any favorite songs, games or movies? For example, if he likes Pokemon, maybe get him a Pokemon music book (one that uses TABs).

At that age, I think the best way to keep him interested is to allow him to show off his skills to his friends. That means playing music they all know about.

(When my son was 8, he spent his own money to buy a Star Wars music piano book. He was taking piano lessons and all classical music.)

mawmow · #9 10-26-2023, 10:15 AM

There are some « Three chords » songbooks.

Maybe you could help him understand chord construction and CAGED system.