Where would you start with a bunch of seven-year olds? (Full Version)

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Argaith -> Where would you start with a bunch of seven-year olds? (Apr. 7 2012 20:52:08)

I have agreed to teach playing the guitar to my daughter and two of her classmates. They are around seven. Most probably if I was going to teach a grownup I would know where to start but as you would appreciate it is much trickier with the kids, especially that young.

My aim is to make them interested and make it fun for them so they enjoy the whole experience. I know that it would be wrong to start with some tedious finger exercises or perhaps even chords or songs that are beyond a kid’s patience.

They are at a tricky age; too old for nursery rhymes and too young for anything vaguely serious. My daughter is somehow familiar with some of the palos that I play (since she has heard them a million times each!); so she subconsciously hums them when she is playing . She is also familiar with some techniques like picado, strumming, etc but she is too young for disciplined routine exercises. I don’t know if her friends have ever tried playing any instrument or not. They seem to enjoy doing things as a group (i.e maths, etc) so the idea is to create a fun activity and very gently teach them something.

I know that some of you have taught young children, so I would appreciate your advice on this.

Thanks a lot.
A



kudo -> RE: Where would you start with a bunch of seven-year olds? (Apr. 7 2012 21:22:50)

here is a good start: Sevillanas!! these kids are around that age:




Doitsujin -> RE: Where would you start with a bunch of seven-year olds? (Apr. 7 2012 23:46:17)

Solea is best to start with. Its close to classics..you can practice any technique.. also develop rasguado at a very low level. And you dont even have to pay too much attention to compas.



keith -> RE: Where would you start with a bunch of seven-year olds? (Apr. 8 2012 1:06:21)

argaith--i would bet the youngsters will pick up techniques a lot faster and easier than adults--kids have that ability which sometimes makes us adults really jealous. one idea is to play a few easier pieces for them and observe what seems to turn them on and then follow their lead.



Bulerias2005 -> RE: Where would you start with a bunch of seven-year olds? (Apr. 8 2012 1:24:48)

"...but she is too young for disciplined routine exercises".

You never know until you try... I was an extremely hyperactive 7-year-old when I picked up the guitar, but by some miracle I started out with basic technique exercises and the Carcassi method...

Also:

"I know that it would be wrong to start with some tedious finger exercises or perhaps even chords or songs that are beyond a kid’s patience."

I don't know if there's a better way to start than with finger exercises... so I try to make it fun by just making jokes related to the techniques... seems to be working so far!



kudo -> RE: Where would you start with a bunch of seven-year olds? (Apr. 8 2012 2:29:16)

the most important thing to teach is , whatever it is, it has to be done with a metronome, have their minds ticking like a metronome [;)]



Guest -> RE: Where would you start with a bunch of seven-year olds? (Apr. 8 2012 3:18:00)

hI
I'd start with Aural based learning...and getting those i and m fingers to work in alternation...
then the thumb...
great fan of the suzuki method...good for young children..

so simple melodies...and chords using the treble strings...ie G , C and D7...Am and E7
simple struming...
more at length here
good luck
http://www.foroflamenco.com/tm.asp?m=188671&appid=&p=&mpage=1&key=guitar%2Clessons&tmode=&smode=&s=#188894



machopicasso -> RE: Where would you start with a bunch of seven-year olds? (Apr. 8 2012 8:29:17)

Are you teaching them guitar, in general, or flamenco guitar, in particular?

If the latter, then don't underestimate the fun children can have doing palmas, and as a resource for helping them to learn the importance of staying in compas.



Argaith -> RE: Where would you start with a bunch of seven-year olds? (Apr. 8 2012 15:12:33)

Thanks for your comments all.

I pretty much know nothing other than Flamenco and these poor kids are doomed to learn Flamenco [;)]

Whatever I decide to start with, I am going to act as the metronome (doing palams).

I think I should see how we get on the first session.

Thanks again.
A



machopicasso -> RE: Where would you start with a bunch of seven-year olds? (Apr. 9 2012 9:12:15)

Do you have access to a cajon? That's a "success instrument" (i.e. one from which beginners can quickly get enjoyable results) and thus something else they might enjoy.

The more I think about it, the more difficult it sounds to teach flamenco guitar to seven year-olds. Good luck!



Argaith -> RE: Where would you start with a bunch of seven-year olds? (Apr. 9 2012 12:44:05)

quote:

Do you have access to a cajon?


I'm afraid no access to a cajon, not that I can play one anyway.
Like some of the folks here said, we should never underestimate the kids. My little girl already does better rasgeados than when I first started, but I do agree with you, I need a lot of luck ;)



aloysius -> RE: Where would you start with a bunch of seven-year olds? (Apr. 10 2012 1:45:13)

I teach quite a few young kids - one thing that is useful at the very start is to get some small coloured stickers to stick on the fret board. Under the first string put one for F and one for G, the second one each for B and C, the third string one for A, the fourth string one each for E and F. They all need to be different colours. then you can start describing chords and melodies in terms of those colours. I've found this to work well for ages 5 - 7 depending on the student.



Argaith -> RE: Where would you start with a bunch of seven-year olds? (Apr. 10 2012 6:05:15)

Aloysius,

Thanks very much for your very good advice. This sounds to be a nice method.

Cheers,
A



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