Learning material/videos/advice for a child about to learn

[badboykane]

OK, I am a little stuck with this one. I am not so much of a great guitarist myself, pretty much a novice (maybe a little better) but when it comes to teaching someone even just the basics I don't know where to start.

Basically my daughter (who is 10) wants to learn to play the guitar, she has a Squier Hello Kitty Strat and a basic cheap acoustic (both given to her). She often gets one of them out and sits in her room attempting to make some noise as we often hear her through the door.
We sat down together the other day and my aim was initially to just show here a few chords (the main ones E, G, A, etc) you know the easy ones and then just get her to practice strumming each chord, then if she is able, change chords and cary on strumming, then over the coming weeks when she is able to do comfortably, move on to new chords and possibly power chords, etc.

My problem with her is, she is struggling to even do a chord without muting other strings etc (she is someone who has pretty much never touched a guitar until she received the 2 she currently has). I think maybe the acoustic could quite possibly be a little big for her hands but the Squier she has is far better for the size of her hands.

What would be the best way to go about showing her or advising her in the best way so a kid will understand to make it easier for her? Or am I starting to teach her the wrong thing to start with?

Are there any online videos I should specifically look for that would be the best ones for her to start on. I don't mind watching them myself and doing the same in the video myself so she can see in person. (I have plenty of patience for her so I don't mind sitting through some really basic stuff just so I can show her).

I wouldn't even mind if there was some reading material with tab, chord charts etc but designed for a kid that we could sit and read together. She is very clever for her age when it comes to reading and learning so for her this option may be better, but I figured some videos so she won't get so bored.

I am really stuck when it comes to finding material suitable for someone of her age without the need for an actual guitar tutor, just want to get her started with the basics, then if she still enjoys learning 6 months down the line and wants to continue, then I may pay for an actual tutor for her.

Well that was a bit long winded just to ask 1 question, lol.
But I hope you see what I am getting at and may be able to advise.
Thanks

[Rockhopper]

As tedious as it sounds it might actually be wrth starting from scratch with something like 'The Guitarist's way' book 1.

It is straight forward and will get your daughter (and possibly you) sight reading quickly. This is not everyones ideal but if your daughter did progress in any form of music the grounding in sight reading would help with all instruments and theory.

It will also allow her to concentrate on one finger at a time and quickly move on. Granted most people do completely shift from this 'classical' approach but it does seem to offer a good base to start from.

Also worth trying the exercises with fingers and a pick.

[uncle_psychosis]

I suspect that at age ten the concept (and physicality) of chords might be a little too much, unless she has significant musical training already. Maybe better to start with some simple single note melodies---there's always boring ones like nursery rhymes etc but if she has some pop songs she likes maybe you can pick out the vocal lines or root notes of the chords and teach them to her.

Certainly, as an adult beginner it took me weeks of frustration to start playing basic chords cleanly and fluently. I don't think a 10 year old will have the patience to stick that out. If she gets hooked on guitar first then she may well stick at it through the tough stuff!

[stratcat]

I suspect that at age ten the concept (and physicality) of chords might be a little too much, unless she has significant musical training already. Maybe better to start with some simple single note melodies---there's always boring ones like nursery rhymes etc but if she has some pop songs she likes maybe you can pick out the vocal lines or root notes of the chords and teach them to her.

Certainly, as an adult beginner it took me weeks of frustration to start playing basic chords cleanly and fluently. I don't think a 10 year old will have the patience to stick that out. If she gets hooked on guitar first then she may well stick at it through the tough stuff!

I teach a lot of kids this age and younger and it can take a couple of years before they get the finger strength and coordination to play chords and even then it can be slow going.
I always teach single note stuff first, popular melodies/tv themes etc. If nothing else it gives the student a good sense of melody and phrasing, something that is lost on a lot of people who just play through a load of chords.

[badboykane]

Sounds like the 1 note stuff is the way to go to start with. I know quite a lot of 1 string single note riffs that I learnt years back before learning the actual way of playing (nursery rhymes, smoke on the water, bad to the bone, etc).
Just got to remember them myself and jot them down. There are probably hundreds of them I can look up.

Might see how she gets on with some at the weekend.

Thanks

[Close2u]

this is going to be the place for you

http://justinguitar.com/


and use the structure / vids of thiis beginners course

http://justinguitar.com/en/BC-000-BeginnersCourse.php

it's all there for a beginner and beyond