Thoughts on keeping a kid interested in music? Guitar?

make sure he learns some actual songs, no matter how simple, that will keep him interested more than scales or theory, but keep that part too

Most of the time lessons turn people off because they are "boring" or it feels like a chore. What that means is they aren't connecting the work to the reward.

Instead of pushing them toward a goal, maybe they need to be pulled along. For instance instead of having him learn proper techniques and the basics, let him pick out a song he likes and wants to play. Find a simplified chord chart for it.

Now instead of learning "useless chords and scales" he will be saying "oh I need to learn this minor chord so I can play this song".

There are many ways to learn guitar and many styles of playing. I taught myself and had bad technique for years and years but I had fun. It wasn't until I wanted to play faster and better that I sat down and said "ok if I want to progress I have to fix bad habits".

Is it faster and easier to learn proper technique and basics from the very beginning? Absolutely. But it can also be tedious and burn people out, especially in the beginning. Cultivate a love for music and the desire to play will follow.

how old?

Maybe the buddy system might work if he has a friend that would also like to learn (play!!!).

quote:

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I'm doing my damnedest to not be smothering dad with this. I bought my guitar, he took interest, and then wanted his own. I bought him one and got him lessons. Now it's a job to him. Any tips?

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Every kid is different. I can't tell you what's best for your son, but I can share what worked for mine. My wife and I are not musicians. But when he saw Jack Black's School of Rock, it changed him. He suddenly wanted to play guitar.

We bought him one for his birthday. We didn't pay for lessons initially because we wanted to assess his interest by observing what he does with it. He ended up watching YouTube videos and learned chords on his own, from songs he was interested in playing. We then offered formal lessons and he declined the offer. Later, after observing his progress,we again offered lessons to help him polish his skill, and he declined.

Now, he's been in a rock band for 2 years and loves it. His band has played at noteworthy Houston venues, and has also played gigs in Corpus Christi and Austin.

So what I'm getting at is, try letting go or as they say in School of Rock - step off. Not everyone learns the same way. Let HIS passion drive him, not yours.