Kids Guitar Sizes

Image from Kids guitar: https://kidsguitar.info/how-to-choose-kids-beginner-guitar/

Image from WikiAudio: https://www.wikiaudio.org/best-kids-guitar/ The dimensions of a guitar body are often seemingly random and nonconsequential in all ways apart from aesthetic. There are however, important constraints that must not change. The scale length of a guitar (the distance from each anchoring point of the string) must be at a specified length in order to ensure that all notes played are in tune in western equal temperement. If the scale length of a guitar is out by a margin of a millimeter, it will cause a noticeable out of tune sound. Childrens guitars then are made by scaling down the scale length of an instrument so that the ratio of scale length remains the same, thus keeping the instrument in tune. This creates a variety of sizes for younger or smaller players, often referered to as “quarters” ranging from 1/4 to 4/4 or “full size”. Using a smaller scale instrument can make for a much more manageable playing experience for younger players, ensuring that the ergonomic constraints for those individuals are met. Due to the fact that the ratios of size are kept consistent, it also means that muscle memory will be more or less maintained as the player progresses through the sizes of guitar until they grow enough to use a full size guitar. A full size guitar is suitable for those over 5ft tall, or around 11 years of age, which is exactly where this products target market starts.

Photo by Felix Koutchinski on Unsplash