First things first
Proper posture and good habits set the stage for a more fun and effortless playing experience. There is a ton of great literature out in the ether. But most of it targets the grown-up demographic and offers musical repertoire that often lacks appeal for children. Kids prefer to play melodies and studies that they can relate to, not Greensleeves right out of the gate. I found a very well designed classical guitar series written by Jay Traylor, called “Classical Guitar for the Young”. And I have found that my own children really enjoyed working through the first book - along with me, monitoring their development of technique and providing frequent visual and musical clarification. In no time, my nine-year old was showing his younger, five-year old, brother how to play “Old MacDonald”, “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and other kids’ favorites… You get the idea!
While not necessary,
it really is a good idea for any ‘young’ player (both children or adults) to work through a classical guitar method - even if it is only a three months commitment. This facilitates good habits and playing styles and there is so much great guitar literature out there that would appeal even to an aspiring punk or grunge guitarist. I remember being really into Zappa, Deep Purple and heavy bands such as Metallica and Rage Against The Machine in my own, early development. And I vividly remember having to learn a suite of classical guitar etudes by Leo Brouwer during studies with a guitar professor, Steven Novacek, at Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle. Even twenty some years later, I still draw from that style of playing, and from the technique I had soaked up and perfected, during those classical studies. And I find myself using elements thereof even when producing some heavy piece of rock music.
If you searched along the lines of ‘classical guitar lessons near me’, you have arrived at the right place - should you be living on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. But I’ve been teaching live online video lessons since 2001 and the rise os Zoom Conferencing and the ability to record all, or parts of, a session straight to your computer has made this way of teaching, and taking lessons, very efficient and effective.
For teaching great habits and technique, I prefer to use either the Christopher Parkening method or the series by Julio Sagreras. But I am open to other suggestions as well. And jumping straight into a study of my books (“Studies for the Improvising Guitarist” and “Bebop Improv Concepts”) is definitely an option, if your playing abilities and personal conviction allow.
