appropriate age to begin guitar lessons?

[napless]

My 7 year old ds really really wants to learn to play the guitar. He's wanted this for a couple of years.

I don't want him to start too early, though, and become frustrated.

What's a good age?

[mommymonkey]

A 7 year old is old enough for music lessons. However, his hands and body may not be big enough for the guitar.

[laohaire]

aren't there 3/4 (and 1/2?) sized guitars?

[ollyoxenfree]

A motivated 7 y.o. will probably do very well with a sympathetic instructor and a suitably sized instrument. There are quarter, half and three-quarter sized guitars for children. DS was 10, I think, when he started playing on a half-sized acoustic guitar. At age 16, he's now playing acoustic, electric and classical guitars, as well as electric bass.

[lynsage]

My dad started me on a 3/4 size when I was about that age- you can get him a small one. One thing to be aware of is that when you first start learning to fret the strings, it HURTS and he will have sore fingers for a while until he builds up some calluses.