If you’re curious about when the best time to buy a guitar is, you’ve come to the right post!
Whether you want to know about the right age to start learning guitar or the best time of year to purchase one, this article covers both questions!
Let’s get to it!
Getting Into Music
I’m biased, but getting into music has been incredible for me. And, regardless of the type of music you’re into, all music is great in its own way. But learning how to play a musical instrument can take the joy of music to a whole new level.
In my opinion, there should be no age restriction to getting into music. There should also be no limitations on when you should start performing or making music. Whether you’re really young or really old, no rules are set in stone.
However, there are some safer bets that work for most cases. If we’re talking about the earliest possible times, there are some approximate age limits to when a child should start. And of course, all of this is up for debate. But as for my two cents, I’m in favor of learning music, and specifically guitar, as soon as there is interest in it, whether you’re old or young.
When Is the Best Time to Buy a Guitar?
So when is the best time to buy your first guitar? Many music professionals’ and teachers’ earliest recommend starting age is around 7 if the child is interested in it.
[But the simple answer for adults is whenever you feel like it. Seriously, music is all about enjoyment and expression. Just purchase it whenever you feel like you want to start playing.]
Of course, the best age for children to start learning guitar is a hotly debated topic.
And you can certainly start learning before 7.
However, aspects of instrument design can make it difficult for a child to start learning before this age.
I’ll discuss this more in the following section.
Short-Scaled Guitars
Guitar design has changed a lot during the past few decades. Additionally, the availability of the instrument has changed too.
But what does this have to do with a guitar player’s age? Well, a few decades ago, you were stuck with what was available. And most of the time, you only had full-sized guitars to choose from. This was a huge disadvantage to kids who wanted to learn how to play it but weren’t large enough to play a standard size instrument.
In fact, it wasn’t unusual for some music schools to redirect these kids to other instruments. The guitar was usually pretty tricky for kids 7 and under and their teachers. You can imagine how discouraged these children were when they got stuck learning say, a piano when they wanted to learn the electric guitar.
However, these days, there are plenty of short-scale variant guitars. These are smaller in size and very accessible to people with smaller hands. Furthermore, there are short-scale instruments that are high-quality, not just cheap toys that barely work.
One of the best examples of a high-quality instrument for kids is Loog Guitars. They have specially designed lines of acoustic and electric guitars for the youngest musicians. For instance, their Mini acoustic and Mini electric guitars are for the ages of 3 and up. Sure, they have only 3 strings, but they are a great way to get kids into music. And these are fully-functioning instruments.
You can check what they look and sound like in the embedded video below.
A Person Should Have Some Interest in Guitars
So with such an instrument design, the age limit goes down to 3 or 4. Personally, this is where I’d put the age limit as well. It’s understandable that, in the old days, the age limit was 7 or even higher. But with such adaptive guitar designs, we have so many options.
One thing that I would like to point out is that we’re talking about very young kids. They should first show some signs of interest before the parents start spending on guitars. Unless, a child shows some interest in the instrument, there’s no use forcing them to try to learn something they won’t ultimately stick with.
[Check out my about page to learn how I became interested in the guitar and maintain this interest today.]
The same rule applies to pretty much any age. If a person just feels like playing guitar, they should simply get into it. There are so many designs and options that are great for all beginners.
For instance, if you feel like you’ll struggle with callouses, try nylon string guitars. Or, if you feel like you’re lacking hand strength at the moment, try short-scale instruments or those with thinner neck profiles.
Should I Go With an Electric or an Acoustic First?
Now, here’s another important related question. Is it a good idea to start with an electric guitar first? Or should you first go with an acoustic one?
Most guitar teachers will tell you that an acoustic guitar is a way to go. There may be some truth in that. You’ll figure out all of the basics on it and won’t be distracted with all of the advanced controls on electric guitars. Additionally, you’ll get the chance to build the fretting hand strength better. It’s harder to get a clear note on acoustic guitars.
On the other hand, both instruments are different in their own way. If you want to start playing an electric guitar, just get one. It’s really not that big of a deal. When you learn how to play one of these, you’ll almost certainly end up owning and playing the other one as well.
What’s the Best Time of Year to Buy New or Used Guitars?
Some people have this same question from another perspective. Is there the best time of year to buy an instrument? Do any of the seasonal rules apply to guitars?
The simple answer is no. We live in a time when guitars are available to almost anyone at any time. And mass discounts happen frequently and randomly. The only exception, however, could be Black Friday or shortly after the Christmas season. But if you’re considering purchasing an instrument, don’t worry about timing.
Just get one!
And check out my acoustic guitar buyer’s guide if you need help choosing one.
I usually refer to one basic rule. Track prices of guitars that you like all year round. The moment you see a good deal, just purchase it! It’s that simple.
The Best Time to Buy a Guitar: Conclusion
I hope this article has helped you answer this question.
And if you need further help, let me know in the comments below!
