CHOOSING A GUITAR
There are 3 main types of guitars; acoustic, electric and classical. The best type of guitar for a beginner guitarist is a classical guitar (with nylon strings). Other types of guitars can be difficult to play, as the strings are hard to press down, especially for younger students.
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Classical guitars come in different sizes. Here is a rough guide to which size you will need:
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Ages 4 to 6, height 3'3" to 3'9" (99 cm to 114 cm): 1/4 size
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Ages 5 to 8, height 3'10" to 4'5" (117 cm to 135 cm): 1/2 size
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Ages 8 to 11, height 4'6" to 4'11" (137 cm to 150 cm): 3/4 size
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Ages 11 and above, height 5' (152 cm) and above: 4/4 size (Full size)
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HOW MUCH TO SPEND
You may be able to find a very cheap guitar online, but beware; very low cost instruments can be poorly made and will be hard to keep in tune. This can make practising difficult and may put the student off learning altogether.
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Here are some recommendations for new guitars (3/4 size versions)
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£50 - 70: Valencia VC203-VNT
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£100: Yamaha CS40
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If you want to spend less, you might want to look for a second-hand Valencia or Yamaha rather than buy a less expensive new guitar. Remember to make sure the guitar is a "classical" or "nylon-stringed" (not "acoustic"), and is the right size, before you buy!
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