This specialty paper is designed to mimic the guitar neck, laying out the strings and the frets. This allows the instructor to lay out the various chords onto the paper, with numbers being used for the different fingers. Although numbers are frequently used, other visuals that would help the student may also be used. Taken a step further the guitar paper may be cutout and placed underneath the strings. The child can place their fingers over the marks on the paper, figuring out the proper chords from the diagram.

Obviously, finding the right guitar for their practice is going to be crucial. Not only should the guitar be small enough for their compact size, but ideally the guitar is nice enough that the chords are easier to hold. The action on the guitar neck (the distance between the string and the frets) should also not be overwhelming for their small hands. Typically smaller gaps make for easier learning.

Teaching a child how to play an instrument is an excellent way to sharpen their mind, increase their creativity, and ultimately enhance their life. As difficult as it can be to focus a child’s attention on anything, once they have the fire to play, it will lay the foundation of a lifelong passion. Although the guitar is not always the first instrument that comes to mind for children, it may be just the right direction for a number of personality types. As with other music, the guitar takes practice, patience, and dedication to master.