We love music in our family, so it wasn’t surprising when our tween wanted to learn guitar. Music is a gift that keeps giving, and there’s no cooler way for kids to express themselves than by playing an instrument. Learning at home can be a great way to get them started. If your child shows interest in guitar, encourage it—music offers so many benefits for kids.
Here are some tips to help your child learn guitar and have fun at home:
This post is sponsored by Rocksmith+. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Spark their interest
Fill the house with music your child likes. Hearing different songs and styles can inspire them to try and recreate what they hear. We mix up genres so they can explore different sounds and find what they enjoy most.
Make it fun
Learning shouldn’t feel like a chore. Let them explore the guitar, make goofy noises, have little dance breaks, and choose songs they love. The key is to keep it fun.
Gear up
Choose the right-sized guitar. A full-size guitar can be tough for small hands, so look for a smaller, fractional model that’s easier to hold.
Add kid-friendly accessories like colorful picks and comfy straps. Let them personalize the instrument so it feels like theirs.
Learning resources
Our son started off teaching himself for the first month, but we wanted to add more structure. We had trouble finding lessons that fit our schedule, so we looked into alternatives and found Rocksmith+. We were immediately interested.
What is Rocksmith+?
Rocksmith+ is an award-winning music learning service from Ubisoft that gamifies learning. It helps beginners and more experienced players practice guitar, bass, and piano anywhere. You can access it on iOS, Android, or PC with no extra gear. It offers real-time feedback and practice tools you can control—perfect for beginners.
Why Rocksmith+ works for young learners
– Huge, kid-friendly song library: Rocksmith+ has thousands of songs across many genres, from classic rock to modern pop, plus movie and game soundtracks. Your child can pick songs they recognize and enjoy.
– Learn by playing: Instead of boring sheet music, the app shows a color-coded display that tells you which frets to press and when. It makes learning notes and chords feel natural and fun.
– Adaptive learning: The program adjusts difficulty based on skill level. Kids can learn small parts of a song—a riff or a chord progression—and build up to the full song so they don’t feel overwhelmed.
– Real-time feedback and practice tools: Rocksmith+ listens to the guitar (acoustic, electric, or bass) and gives instant feedback on accuracy. Tools like “Riff Repeater” let them focus on tricky bits until they get them right.
– Different learning styles: If your child prefers traditional methods, Rocksmith+ includes sheet music view and video lessons from pro guitarists to mix things up.
– Sense of progress: The app rewards practice with points and unlocks new songs as your child improves, keeping motivation high.
Learn together
If you play even a little, jam with your child. It’s a fun way to bond and a chance for you to practice too.
Keep it positive
Celebrate small wins. Recognize progress—mastering a simple chord or strumming pattern is a big deal for a beginner. Rocksmith+ has been great for my son because he loves seeing his accuracy and mastery improve after each session. The app shows a summary of difficulty, accuracy, and mastery, which he enjoys watching change over time.
Keep the mood light and encouraging. Learning takes time, so patience is important.
With Rocksmith+ and a supportive home, your child can grow a lifelong love of music, build confidence, and maybe become a little rockstar. Spread the love.