My seven year old says that she wants to learn how to play the guitar. If she happens to have any kind of inner musical ability (clearly not inherited), I'd like to encourage her to bring it out. I'm not going to be buying her a vintage Les Paul, but I don't want to get her a toy that just looks like a guitar either. I haven't touched a guitar since I was 10 and didn't know much about them then either.
Suggestions?
Do you have a Guitar Center near you? The hardest part is going to be getting her past the pain, and I do mean real pain, of getting her fretting callouses developed; several weeks of least 15 minutes a day, minimum to get those finger tips hardened up. If her desire to learn guitar is strong enough, she will push through it, and it does stop hurting eventually.
If acoustic, there are quite a few small-scale acoustics out there these days that are surprisingly OK, for little money. When my son was about that age we picked him up a little Dean. No one will mistake it for a Martin dreadnought, but it played well and didn't sound bad.
If electric, I'd pick up one of the little $79 Squires.
Electric is easier to play, but acoustic has less stuff to buy, and probably less volume.
In reply to WildScotsRacing:
It looks as if there's a Guitar Center at the mall. Is a 7/8 guitar small enough for a seven year old?
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Rogue/Beginner-Acoustic-Dreadnought-7-8-Guitar-with-Accessory-Pack.gc
Let's assume she's talking about an acoustic.
My recommendations would be a Yamaha JR1, Taylor Baby, or Little Martin. Assuming that you know nothing about guitars, I'd buy either new or used from a reputable shop.
I'm inclined to recommend the Martin above the others because the back and sides are HPL (High Pressure Laminate) which is pretty indestructible, but the top is still solid which is much better for tone.
That being said, the Taylor is just about the same; the only real differences are that the back and sides are laminate--still good for standing up to abuse--and it is a bolt on neck--cheaper. She won't know the difference though. But I don't like Taylor, although I will admit they're good guitars.
The Yamaha may be the best bet because it is the cheapest, is all laminate, and the scale length is the smallest--good for small fingers.
All of them are 1-11/16th nut width--whatever you end up with, make sure it is 1-11/16th nut width. 1 3/4 will be too much for her.
Lastly, Luna makes OK guitars from what I have seen. They're also "cute", so if she is into that, it may be something to consider. Really don't know much about them though.
7/8s will be fine. That Rogue might be OK, if it's set up well. Watch out for high action. Acoustics are hard enough on beginners, you don't want her fighting with it.
Woody wrote: In reply to WildScotsRacing: It looks as if there's a Guitar Center at the mall. Is a 7/8 guitar small enough for a seven year old? http://www.guitarcenter.com/Rogue/Beginner-Acoustic-Dreadnought-7-8-Guitar-with-Accessory-Pack.gc
Probably small enough, but avoid Rogue. Action is questionable from new. I'd put this one in the echelon of a "toy guitar".
I did bounce over to GC and see a $149 small-scale Yamaha that would be a good choice. You could probably get it cheaper if you watch for a sale, and Yamaha makes nice acoustics for the money.
Get her one of the Squier electric and amp combos for $199. Just because it's the loudest possible option for the money, and I feel this is important for you as a father. It's what I would get my nephew because I love my sister.
Tim Baxter wrote: I did bounce over to GC and see a $149 small-scale Yamaha that would be a good choice. You could probably get it cheaper if you watch for a sale, and Yamaha makes nice acoustics for the money.
Yamaha's are generally the cheapest that I recommend for a first time player, because I trust them to be a quality piece even if it is cheap. That being said, their tuners are IMHO something that have some issues at that end of their spectrum. Full disclosure, I've owned 3 or 4 Yamaha's ranging from $150 to $800. I like Yamaha.
This Taylor might be a decent one to check out: http://hartford.craigslist.org/msg/5327553407.html
More expensive than you're looking I'd expect, but as long as she keeps it in decent condition it will be able to sell for that much later. Also, you're going to know that it will work without fighting back. The tuners will be quality pieces, it will stay in tune, the action isn't going to kill her fingers--it would be pressing the easy button. (Taylors suck. I hate Taylors. Whew, had to say that)
Keith Tanner wrote: Get her one of the Squier electric and amp combos for $199. Just because it's the loudest possible option for the money, and I feel this is important for you as a father. It's what I would get my nephew because I love my sister.
You are evil 
I see some described as "folk" and some just "acoustic". Same thing?
Woody wrote: I see some described as "folk" and some just "acoustic". Same thing?
Yes and no. The folk guitars are acoustic guitars of a specific shape. It varies somewhat by manufacturer, but a "folk" guitar is typically an auditorium or parlor sized guitar.
Sorry about that--might need some layman's terms here:
"Folk" is going to be among the smaller shapes. That does not mean that some that are labeled just "acoustic" are not as small or smaller or even the same shape. Different brands have different labels for their sizes, although there are some general sizes that transcend all brands.
Parlor, folk, travel, auditorium, 3/4, 7/8, folk, 00 (double-ought), and 0 (single-ought) would be the sizes you're looking for. The 3/4 and 7/8 are typically just a scaled down version of one of the above.
I've wondered similar about a guitar to start with. How much should someone spend for something that may or may not end up taking hold? If I was in Woody's shoes with a kid, I'd be hard pressed to drop $150 (heck $70 would still be difficult) on something that my child may play with for 10 minutes, decide they don't want to deal with the pain and never pick it up.
Sure, the more expensive ones will sound better, be easier to tune, etc. But for a kid who is just staring out, does that really make a difference? Chances are a cheaper one would hold a good enough tune to see if she likes it?
Of course, if she doesn't put it down for a solid week, then look into something of better quality. Or, if it's just to plink around (at first), a decent little 3 or 4 string might be a good option. I bought myself one of these Zither Heaven Rock It Stick at a local toy store to play with. It's fun, feeds my "I think I want to learn guitar" itch, but doesn't take up a bunch of space. Only problem is, I haven't found any teaching books for it, so to learn I kinda have to do it all myself. A six string would have been better because there are tons of books, videos, online classes to teach you.
-Rob
Keith Tanner wrote: Get her one of the Squier electric and amp combos for $199. Just because it's the loudest possible option for the money, and I feel this is important for you as a father. It's what I would get my nephew because I love my sister.
I did that for my nephew a few years back (because I love my sister too). 
I am teaching him how to drive next year. This may end up involving autocross participation. 
rob_lewis wrote: I've wondered similar about a guitar to start with. How much should someone spend for something that may or may not end up taking hold? If I was in Woody's shoes with a kid, I'd be hard pressed to drop $150 (heck $70 would still be difficult) on something that my child may play with for 10 minutes, decide they don't want to deal with the pain and never pick it up. Sure, the more expensive ones will sound better, be easier to tune, etc. But for a kid who is just staring out, does that really make a difference? Chances are a cheaper one would hold a good enough tune to see if she likes it? -Rob
Yes, it does make a difference for a few reasons. First, the better ones are just easier to play. It can be as extreme as the difference in learning to drive stickshift in a 1971 full ton truck without synchroed gears in Chicago, and a Honda Civic in the country. Secondly, with it staying in tune, it will sound better. It does matter, even to a little kid—they might not realize it, but it helps. Lastly, assuming that the kid is reasonable responsible, the guitar won’t lose too much value. A $300 Baby Taylor new will sell for $250 used. That $80 guitar? Might as well throw it away when you’re done with it. I’m exaggerating, but not by a whole lot.
Electrics there is less to worry about, you can get a guitar that is cheaper and its equivalent quality acoustic would be more expensive—but I don’t know electrics well enough to make a lot of recommendations there.
Another option is the ukulele. They are fundamentally smaller than a guitar, so that's a plus. You can get one that plays well for $75. The chords don't transfer but the strumming does. There is a TON of good ukulele learning resources now due to their popularity over the last little while.
FWIW, I like playing my ukulele more than the guitar. It's been easier to teach to my kids than the guitar and my mother in law likes it so much we're getting here one for Christmas.
I can't believe I am going to type this.....
Have you considered a Ukulele? As much as I loathe their current popularity, they are excellent gateway drugs to guitars. Particularly for small handed people. Go straight for a baritone with the low tuned bottom string for easier transition to a guitar down the road.
I had thought about a ukulele, but she said that she wants a guitar.
Based upon my limited knowledge, I'm debating between the Yamaha JR1 and the Fender MA-1 3/4.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-JR1-Junior-3-4-Mini-Acoustic-Guitar-for-Kids-Accessory-Bundle-/291559440185?hash=item43e24bff39:g:zNEAAOSwgNRV7xM-
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-MA-1-3-4-Size-Steel-String-Acoustic-Guitar-in-Natural-/252168261469?hash=item3ab6664f5d:g:pioAAOSwcdBWRMXX
Alvarez used to have a good quality cheap guitar. I have an ibanez and I can't play the thing worth a damn. Super high action and just clunky. I wish I had my les Paul back.
Fueled by Caffeine wrote: Alvarez used to have a good quality cheap guitar. I have an ibanez and I can't play the thing worth a damn. Super high action and just clunky. I wish I had my les Paul back.
They still do--anything Alvarez is at least going to be "OK". Unfortunately their small guitars are on the more expensive side.
Woody, I'd stay away from Fender Acoustics. Personal preference, but I don't find them to be good. At all. As for that Yamaha, this one has a better "package": http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-JR1-Junior-3-4-Scale-Mini-Acoustic-Guitar-COMPLETE-GUITAR-BUNDLE/231559913701?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150604093004%26meid%3D6fda2cec85de4ee49c9435c44435e596%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D291559440185&rt=nc
Also, call Guitar Center and see if they have both the JR1 and the JR2 in stock. If they do, go and check them both out--if the JR2 isn't too big (Dreadnaught shape, so it will be larger), that might be the better bet. But it is splitting hairs at that point.
Lastly, if you go for a Uke, go for a Baritone Uke. It is played like the high 4 guitar strings, so a lot of the fingering and chords will carry over. But I'd just go for the guitar.
Keith Tanner wrote: Get her one of the Squier electric and amp combos for $199. Just because it's the loudest possible option for the money, and I feel this is important for you as a father. It's what I would get my nephew because I love my sister.
If you really cared about her, you'd buy him a set of drums.
rob_lewis wrote: Sure, the more expensive ones will sound better, be easier to tune, etc. But for a kid who is just staring out, does that really make a difference?
An emphatic YES, it will make a difference. She doesn't need a fantastic expensive guitar, but she needs something smooth, light, and easy to play - or else she DEFINITELY will lose interest quickly.
mtn wrote: < Woody, I'd stay away from Fender Acoustics. Personal preference, but I don't find them to be good. At all. As for that Yamaha, this one has a better "package": http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-JR1-Junior-3-4-Scale-Mini-Acoustic-Guitar-COMPLETE-GUITAR-BUNDLE/231559913701?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150604093004%26meid%3D6fda2cec85de4ee49c9435c44435e596%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D291559440185&rt=nc
That's a little beyond my comfort zone. My wife wanted me to get this, but the kid deserves something better.
http://www.amazon.com/First-Act-Discovery-Acoustic-Guitar/dp/B000S8CX7M/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?ie=UTF8&dpID=410dSBY76hL&dpPl=1&keywords=kids%20guitar%20for%20girls&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&qid=1449453338&ref=plSrch&ref_=mp_s_a_1_7&sr=8-7#productDescription_secondary_view_div_1449453586422
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