Choosing the right guitar

Choosing the right guitar for the student is very important.
A couple of common sense tips will save the potential
student from disastrous results, which could cause the
student to think they are unable to play guitar.


Lauren with her 3/4 size Fender Squier Mini Strat guitar.
An electric guitar made for a child or a smaller than normal person under 5ft 2 inches.
This is an excellent electric guitar for a child to learn on.

Children

Children should be fitted for a guitar, as they come in two sizes; 1/2 size and 3/4 size.
The 1/2 scale model is for very small children, while the 3/4 size is for children 9 or older.
A lot of smaller size young women and teenagers work well with  the 3/4 size.

Pros and cons

One out of ten people are left handed

Another major problem for choosing the correct guitar for the
student is when the student is left handed. I have yet to have spoken to a
salesperson that has ever given me the correct, and precise answer to the question,

"If I'm left handed does it make a difference which way I hold it?"
The obvious answer is Y E S !

But this is a loaded question, and perhaps a bit tricky for the "all knowing" salesmen.
Below are the issues, observations, to this commonly brushed aside dilemma.

WHY?

Simple, because their coordination is different.
For example a true left handed person strums naturally and potentially at their
best with their left hand and it is much easier to coordinate their right hand on the frets.
Let's not forget that a lefty's brain is reversed inside and to them holding the guitar
southpaw is perfectly normal.

Below is Marc's story which unfortunately, I have dealt with many times before.

Marc was told by salespeople, school teachers and musicians,
"it's better for a lefty to start out playing righty, as it will makes no difference".
Wrong advice, and a common response among right handed players and teachers.
A right handed guitar was bought for him, after Marc and his Mom were told all this.

On Marc's first guitar lesson I noticed immediately that his coordination was backwards
and then was told by Marc that he was indeed left handed.
After the lesson, I discussed the situation with Marc's Mom Beth
and she wanted me to try and teach him righty, since the guitar was purchased.

A couple of wasted months ensued until I finally go through to Marc the
realization that he'd never be able to strum correctly we restrung his guitar.