Buying a quality beginner guitar is one of the most important keys to a student's development and progress. First off, the cheap guitars you can buy at the large retail stores (like Wal-Mart or Target) are unsuitable for learning. They are toys, not instruments. You want to get a legitimate guitar that will play well in your child's hands. I have all my recommended guitars in the Online Store below for you to choose from. The higher the price, the nicer the quality of guitar (easier to play, nicer wood, tone, and hardware). But no matter your budget, any of those guitars will play great in your child's hands. 

For guitar size I have a general guideline: If your child is particularly tall for their age (as tall as a 6th grader or taller) then I'd get the full size. But if not, you'll want to go 3/4 size.  The vast majority of elementary aged students are going to need a 3/4 size.

There are three things required for Guitar Band:  1) Guitar  2) D’Addario Clip On Tuner 3) A Dozen Medium Guitar Picks.  All three of these can be ordered below or bought from your local music store. 

SPECIAL NOTE: no matter what your child’s dominate hand is, you need to buy a normal “right-hand” guitar. This naming can be confusing because a “right” or “left” handed guitar does not mean it’s built for those who are right or left hand dominant. It is only describing which hand will be over the sound hole. It does not have to do with hand dominance. A guitarist will be using both left and right hands to create sounds and rhythms and will develop equal dexterity in both.

Click On The IMAGE Links BELOW to EASILY View & PurChASE ALL my recommended options.

Remember, the 3 required pieces of equipment are:
1) Guitar  2) D’addario Clip On Tuner (this exact kind!) 3) a 12-pack of Medium Guitar Picks.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT SELECTION

ACCESSORIES That ARE A MUST FOR SERIOUS GUITARISTS

A music and guitar stand are extremely helpful for at home practicing. Strings and batteries will eventually be needed.

Music & Guitar Stand - it doesn’t seem like a big deal to have these until your child starts trying to practice! The music stand keeps their sheet music organized and at eye level, which you’d be surprised how important this is for them feeling comfortable while practicing. And the guitar stand keeps their guitar in plain sight. Your child will play MUCH more if they have ready access to their guitar. If they keep it packed up, it’ll collect dust.

Gig Bag - a soft-shelled guitar case (for either 3/4 size or full size guitars) that is light and provides protection from scratches and moisture. My favorite are the ones that have thicker padding and have back pack straps for freeing up both hands.

Strap - not only does it let you stand up and play guitar like a rockstar, but if you choose a cool pattern or color, it really makes your guitar look unique and stand out! There are thousands of graphics and designs out there (lightning, flowers, paisleys, marvel characters, sparkles, etc.) Take a look at the many options and feel free to go wild! If your child’s guitar needs strap buttons to hold the strap, you can easily install them with a screwdriver.

Strings - all strings will go dull and eventually break given enough time. It’s always best to have a spare set of strings in the guitar in case one breaks during a lesson. I would also suggest that a student change their strings at least once a semester. Having new strings will make the guitar sound brand new and be more fun to play. 3/4 size guitars need Extra Light gauge strings. Full size guitars need Light gauge strings.

Batteries - the D’Addario Clip On Tuner uses a standard CR2032 Button battery. All tuners will run out of battery eventually, so it’s always best to keep some for backup in the guitar case.

Capo - allows you to change the key of a song on the fly. This is essential for intermediate players but can come in handy even with beginners. Certain songs a student may want to learn could require a capo to be played correctly. My favorite capo is the classic Kyser Capo. It has consistently proven to be the best capo for students, providing proper spring tension and working with all shapes and sizes of guitar necks. And the bonus is that it comes in a multitude of colors/designs.