Come see both bands at Battle of the Bands, Saturday, October 24, at the Normandy Fall Festival.

Guitar lessons for kids

Learn guitar from day one as one of two guitarists in a real band. Ages 8 to 18, beginners welcome.

Guitar is the instrument most kids ask for first, and the one most likely to end up in a closet. Here, your child learns guitar the way rock guitarists actually do: by playing real songs with a band.

Every band has two guitar spots, so guitarists learn to lock in with each other, the bass and the drums. Rehearsals are one evening a week in Normandy, TN, with families coming from Manchester, Tullahoma, Shelbyville, Winchester and McMinnville.

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Young guitarist holding a pink electric guitar on stage at an outdoor showcase

What your guitarist will learn

Tuning up and holding the guitar comfortably
Power chords, the one shape behind hundreds of rock songs
Open chords, and changing between them without stopping
Strumming patterns and palm muting
The riffs and intros from their band's songs
Lead and rhythm roles: one guitarist carries the riffs and melody lines, the other drives the rhythm
Staying in time with a drummer, and playing on a real stage

Teen guitarist playing a blue electric guitar on stage at dusk

The songs

Each band picks its own set from a list chosen to fit their level. Recent sets have included Everlong (Foo Fighters), The Middle (Jimmy Eat World), T.N.T. (AC/DC) and Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day).

What you'll need

A guitar. Electric or acoustic both work to start.
A strap, a cable and a few picks.
A clip-on tuner, or a free tuner app

Amps are set up at rehearsal. If you don't own a guitar yet, it doesn't need to be fancy. KK's Music in Manchester and Tullahoma, and Facebook Marketplace, are good places to start.

What a parent says
“

My daughter had always wanted to learn how to play guitar. Music is her life! We came across Chord Collective, I signed her up. Best. Decision. We could have made. … Kevin has so much love for music, very talented and his patience is incredible. He makes practice fun. … My daughter has made some life long friendships from her band mates. … They are a true band!

Chord Collective parent

guitar questions

Acoustic or electric?

Either works for learning. In the band, electric guitar fits the sound best, so if you're buying one, electric is a great choice. If your child already has an acoustic, start with that.

My child has already had some lessons. Is that OK?

Yes. Kids who already play often bring their skills straight into a band and get to use them on real songs.

How much should they practice at home?

About 15 to 30 minutes a day, four or five days a week. Each band has a shared folder with slowed-down tracks, tracks with the guitar removed for play-along, chord charts and a weekly practice guide.

beginner guitar class

First Chords is our six-week beginner guitar class for ages 8 to 14. There isn't a class scheduled right now. When the next one opens, the priority list hears first.

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