Self "instructional" for kids?

[timmer]

Since I bought my Martin 000-28EC I've decided to give my niece my GC Ovation Celebrity acoustic electric and was wondering if I should include a "primer" of sorts.

My brother bought her a cheapo Fender a few years back and she doesn't like to play it because it hurts her fingers. I agree on that point because I've played it and it sucks. It got me through Katrina and that is the nicest thing I have to say about that guitar. He shipped to me in while I was in exile in Florida.

Anyway, I'm going on vacation in June and I am going to surprise her with it - with the hope that she will take up the guitar again, with gusto.

Are there any "courses" that would be suitable for a 12 year old that would help her get "over the hump" and maybe decide to take lessons afterwards? I'm also toying with the idea of paying for a year of lessons for her.

Another issue is she's left handed and the cheapo Fender my brother bought was a righty and so is my Ovation.

I'm tempted to order a lefty guitar for her from MF to see what she likes best and then either return the one I ordered or keep my Ovation for a vacation guitar.

Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

[Dennis68]

I think for most kids some formal (in-person) instruction is necessary to get on the right track form the start and to skip over the bad habits that hold back advancing later on.

[studio1087]

This is outstanding but be certain to get the book with the DVD.

I bought this for my 11 year old daughter and I work through it with her but she could do fine on her own.

The DVD always has three images on the screen.
1. The adult teacher playing everything properly (close ups)
2. The child student playing along
3. The same music that is printed in the book scrolls on the screen bottom so that the student doesn't have to flip pages.

They start the kids on simplified one and two finger chords and then work toward full proper chords. It's a really good book.

We sit with my laptop on the coffee table and play the DVD. My daughter follows the lessons very well.

Very cool of you to do this for your niece!!

I love the way they put this together. Good stuff.

John

[Dennis68]

John, I've seen those in my local music shop. I even thumbed through it and the layout looked like it was done quite well. I had forgetten about it until I saw the pic you just posted of it.

[timmer]

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

I tried to find the Mel (actually William) Bay books locally but had to order them from Amazon. It seems only book 1 has the DVD which you purchase separately, got that too.

Thanks Again,
Tim