Thought this would be a good place to seek advice from regarding this topic.

Kids are 8 and 5 (one due in a couple weeks). We purchased a decent keyboard in December, each one has their own guitar (relax, they aren't anything crazy). I've set-up a room in the house with the keyboard and guitars readily available to pick up and play.

I asked my oldest if she wanted guitar lessons and she promptly said no and said she wants to play the piano, which is great! I don't want to force anything on them to make it less enjoyable at this age or any age for that matter. My oldest will go to the keyboard when upset or happy, so I think there is something there. Too early for lessons?

I didn't really get into playing instruments until middle school, but once I picked it up I couldn't get enough of it.

But I know there are probably some users here who have been here and done this with some great lessons learned, dos and don'ts and advice to make the experience more enjoyable for the kiddos.

Have you looked into School of Rock? In addition to the instrument, there is a component of social interaction in the band concept. In addition to a lesson component, there is a potential "fun" component that might appeal to a kid.

My daughter does vocal lessons as well as 2 band genres and loves it. She has also had the ability to switch instructors to find one she is most comfortable with as well.

Is School of Work the lessons/band program offered through Guitar Center?

No, School of Rock is their own thing; multiple franchises throughout Texas.

You also have the ability to do more than one instrument...depends on how much you want to spend. The band part will be based on age as well. My daughter is in the teen group.

https://www.schoolofrock.com/

Roger that. Thank you! I will definitely look into this.

Here is a fellow Aggie to support if any play the banjo or mandolin. Kinda cool that He puts on cabin camps.

https://banjobenclark.com/

Pedal steel. The only instrument I could NOT learn to play. Force them to learn that...

Saw a young kid in his early 20s jamming out on one at Floore's last Summer.

Very cool!

Try YouTube first to see if they can develop the skill of teaching themselves.

I introduced my children to my guitars a few years ago.

I told them that I love my guitars more than I love them and if they touch them, that I'll have to find new kids.

So far, so good.

In reality, I've tried to get my kids to learn any instrument but to any extent, they have to want to learn it, just like I did. I'm not going to force them. They will let me know if/when they decide to pick one up and I will be 100% supportive.

If kids have an interest in playing an instrument because it's "cool" then just go along with it and see where it leads. If a kid seems to have a real passion for a particular instrument, and more importantly a natural ability, then take it a step further and look into something more than a beginner instrument and private lessons.

I learned alto sax in high school but had been beating on some kind of drum since I was very young. Never picked up a sax again after high school but went on to play drums professionally (no lessons just natural ability) after college for about 20 years, until hauling around and setting up a drum kit became too much of a PITA.

Just encourage their interest in playing an instrument but don't force it. HTH

My best advice …

If you have decided to buy your child a guitar, do not go ultra cheap.

Buy a guitar that stays in tune, the frets are not overly wonky and does not have a horrible tone.

They will be much more likely to not give up learning and enjoying playing guitar too prematurely.

I have two learning guitars for them but I think they are too big for them right now.

Two Ibanez guitars. One of them is an Ibanez Gio I picked up in Korea.

I should probably get a junior size? Honestly, I went straight into full size when I started playing in middle school. But they are much younger than that

You ask a very good question.

Like you I did not have a serious interest until middle school and the same was trie true for my kids.

It makes sense to me to find a smaller guitar for very young kids.

Some with experience with this age group might disagree and would be a better resource.

jwag said:

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Definitely not too young to start. I recommend scheduling quick half-hour/hour piano lessons and see if you can find an instructor that your kid likes and motivates practice.

I don't have any real direct experience with School of Rock but the few students I have seen play seem to be more focused on learning covers of songs as opposed to music theory. Good luck.

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I agree with this. I think it helps if your family is in an environment where those things are celebrated and encouraged too (by other families, community members, etc.). All the kids in our small community are in choir and playing piano at least; many go on to learn organ and it's just what there is.

We're on the other side of parenting though, in that kids may not value something they should, because they're kids. They don't know the value of playing / reading music as adults and it's a gift you give them.

Aggie Therapist said:

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I have two learning guitars for them but I think they are too big for them right now.

Two Ibanez guitars. One of them is an Ibanez Gio I picked up in Korea.

I should probably get a junior size? Honestly, I went straight into full size when I started playing in middle school. But they are much younger than that

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I bought a 3/4 size acoustic for my daughter to learn on. She's been taking lessons for a few months and doing well. She's also a lefty, but I forced her to learn to play right handed.

She's starting band in 5th grade this year and will be learning to play the flute as well.

Aggie Therapist,

gggmann provided a great recommendation:

"I bought a 3/4 size acoustic for my daughter to learn on. She's been taking lessons for a few months and doing well. She's also a lefty, but I forced her to learn to play right handed."

During the pandemic we spent a bunch of time with the kids on different musical instruments. Piano was the most popular and we purchased a subscription to the Simply Piano app.

It's really good. There are different skill levels to learn then play along. It listens to the sound either via plug (keyboard only) or microphone to determine correct note.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simply-piano-learn-piano-fast/id1019442026

Highly recommend. Looks like the current price is ~$10/month for a year. It's gone up since we did it.

If you aren't sure the kids are going to be into piano, it's an easier decision than getting private lessons. Can always do those as well if the kids are super into it.

Is this an app I can run on my iPad and put on the music sheet on the keyboard?

Sorry I'm at work and not deep diving at the moment

Yeah it's an Ipad/iphone app. Kids would just put the ipad up where sheet music goes

my boys tried guitar last year, ages 7 and 8. It was tough.. the hands are just kinda small still. I started playing at age 13.

one of their teachers explained they first tried at age 8 or so and gave up. Then came back to it at age 13, and took off from there.

So I've convinced myself that 8/9/10 is still a bit young for guitar. I'll see if they have interest in a few years, and maybe better success.

The 8 year old can sit on my drums and play a simple 4/4 though, so that may be something he has a natural ability with.

My daughter said no to piano lessons for the longest time. Then she wanted to Duolingo to learn Spanish. Turns out Duolingo has a music/piano track and she's been doing it and it's translated over to the real piano.

That's why they recommend music and another language for children to learn at such an early age. They soak it up so quick!

Whatever you do, find a good teacher who makes things interesting and can communicate effectively with young kids.

Our older one we kinda forced piano upon, and looking back I regret that. He never really enjoyed it and practice felt like a chore.

Our younger one, we didn't really force any instrument but she gravitated toward cello and just ate it up. She's definitely on her way to being pretty good on it once she's gets a little older and it's all just fun for her. Small sample size, but that's how it's gone for us.