Teaching a 5 year-old

[Dr.Thumps]

I bought my 5 year old brother and sister guitars for christmas and I've been trying to teach them how to play ever since. Truthfully, though, i don't know where to begin. I'm trying to drill the concept of rhythm and timing in to their heads, as I think these are some of the most important fundamental concepts, but I guess I'm not doing it very well. Please help! Thanks!

(For the record, I know this is a bass forum, but I figured someone here could at least help me with teaching fundamental guitar techniques)

[J.D.B.]

I taught(?) my kids to "bop" with the music. Sort of dancing or at least rhythmic moving. My little one picked it up quickly and it really helped him. He's a big toe tapper anymore and his teacher has often complimented his good metering skills. Don't make a big deal out of any aspect of their intro. though. Try not to turn them off to music. I don't know where I'd be without SOME kind of music. Have fun with them, they're on a one-way trip aboard a fast train.
Josh

[bottomend!]

make up little games to play and use music as the medium. Heres one example of ear training;

Play a note LOW on the guitar and tell them to jump UP when they hear it. Play a note HIGH on the guitar and tell them to DROP on the floor when the hear it. This gets them thinking of DIRECTION of sound in relation to intervals. when this old ( minutes later!) make them look at the guitar neck while you do it since low notes are placed "higher" and high notes are placed "lower" when you're standing up with a guitar strapped on (neck angled slightly or even better, radically in an upwards position).

Heres another one; Instead of just trying to show them chords ( open position "D" for example) give each chord an animal name and then play through a simple chord progression and have them act out or name each animal as it occurs.

basically, you gotta think like a kid and you'll be ok!

[m3t4lhed]

Originally Posted by bottomend!

Heres another one; Instead of just trying to show them chords ( open position "D" for example) give each chord an animal name and then play through a simple chord progression and have them act out or name each animal as it occurs.

reminds me of that episode of friends where phoebe tries to teach joey how to play the guitar

[bottomend!]

never saw Friends... and darn proud of it! ( wish I had their money though!!!)

[BassChuck]

Teaching children that age is a real art. If your goal is to get them interested in music then there are loads of games to play with them, play a lot of music for them (live and recorded) and just make music a part of their lives and growing up.

If your goal is for them to learn an instrument at a young age (a very good goal BTW) I suggest you check in your community for a trained Suzuki teacher. Most of them will be string teachers, however there are quite a few piano teachers too. You wouldn't have to have them take violin or piano, but check out the methods and the philosophy. Also get your hands on Suzuki's book "Nurtured By Love". You can find it for a few bucks on Amazon, or your local library should have a copy. Very interesting reading for music training and understanding the learning process in children.

Good luck. I had my kids in music lessons at a young age and they all play well now as young adults. It's a lifetime gift and the younger they start the better.