Honestly, there’s no better time to learn the guitar than at a very young age. Learning at a tender age can give kids the liberty to make mistakes and recover smoothly; it will also allow them to develop vital playing techniques they’ll grow to appreciate.
The benefits also transcend the thrills of being a young guitar player. Kids who start learning the guitar early will become more disciplined, creative and generally have a good memory.
But while the benefits are sweet and fun to read, getting a kid to practice and learn the guitar is no easy feat.
You’ll need to ensure the kid is very comfortable when playing to prevent loss of interest. Most times, this will be determined by the size and type of guitar they’re using.
So what size of the guitar is suitable for a 9-year-old?
A 36 inches guitar should be ok for a 9-year-old. That’s ¾ of the standard guitar size. This size is perfect for children who are almost ready for the full-sized guitar and too big for the ¼ size guitars.
Asides from age, there are other factors you need to consider before choosing a guitar size for a 9-year-old. Here, we’ll not only show you the perfect guitar size for a 9-year-old, but we’ll also give you tips on things you need to know before you make that purchase.
Why Choosing the Right Guitar Size For Your Kid is Important
Children around the age of nine tend to have a short attention span and lose interest in things they don’t enjoy doing. Using the wrong size of the guitar can cause discomfort, and in no time, they’ll find it challenging to pick up the guitar to play.
Also, a 9-year-old using the wrong guitar size will force them to develop bad playing techniques. Bigger guitars generally have necks that are too long for the kid’s hands.
While they struggle to hit certain notes, they unconsciously develop some bad techniques that might stick with them in the long run.
Lastly, music is supposed to be synonymous with passion. Learning a musical instrument is meant to be a fun experience. 9-year-olds should feel joyful whenever they pick up the guitar to play, so ensure you do everything possible to get the perfect size for them.
What Size Guitar is Good for 9 Year Old?
Most people tend to focus on the age factor when searching for guitars to buy for their kids. But most times, height plays a more important role because the kid’s height will determine how well he can use the guitar.
The average height for a nine-year-old is 52.6 inches for boys and 52.2 for girls. If a kid’s height is within that range, a 36 inches (91 cm) guitar will be ok for them. This is ¾ of the standard guitar size.
36 inches guitars are very common because even some adults still play them. However, some nine-year-olds are way taller than their age and can comfortably play a standard-sized guitar.
Tips for Choosing the Right Guitar Size for Your Kid
Here are some tips that you’ll find helpful when choosing a guitar size for your kid.
- Ensure you stay in the age group if your kid has an average height.
- If your kid is already on the borderline of two age groups, always go for guitars in the higher age groups. If you buy a guitar in the lower age group, the child might outgrow it in months, and you’ll need to get a bigger one.
- You don’t have to immediately change a guitar when a child enters a new age group. Smaller guitars are not bad, especially when the child feels comfortable playing them.
If you’re having doubts about the right guitar size for your kid, you can take the child to a guitar tutor. With their experience, they’ll surely know the right size for your kid.
The Bottom Line
Before a person can boldly say they’ve learned a musical instrument like the guitar, they must have put in hours and hours of dedication and practice.
Even if they love the guitar dearly, there are undoubtedly times when they feel overwhelmed and tired. If an adult can experience such feelings, you should try imagining how it is for 9-year-olds.
That’s why it’s essential to get the right guitar size so that they can enjoy playing.
The right guitar size for 9-year-olds is the ¾ guitar( 36 inches and 91 cm). This size will be ok for most 9-year-olds, but if the child is taller than his age, you can introduce him to a standard-sized guitar.
