Loog Guitar, the Best Children's Beginner Guitar?
Review of The Kids Beginner Guitar with 3 strings
Usually when parents want to start a child on guitar the advice is to wait until they are bigger, or
maybe
even
start them on a ukulele. Generally
most guitars are way too big for a kid
, and the
small ones are
usually
toys that
have no real playing value.
Now that has all changed thanks to Loog Guitars and their three stringed child size instruments . These tiny guitars are made to be fun and easy to play, with an emphasis on getting the young student to play songs from day one.
Over the years there have been a number of small six string guitars and they have usually not worked due to poor sound and being hard to play. It is surprising that it took so long for someone to finally make a proper guitar aimed at young children .
Images credits: ©Loog Guitars
Introducing Loog Child Guitar
Loog Guitars started as an academic project which then morphed into a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2011. They realized that most small guitars were made with six strings which is much too wide of a fretboard for a child to play, so they wanted to build a kids guitar.
It was also obvious that many kids were often given a ukulele as they were easy and the right size for small hands. However as great as the ukulele is, it is not the same as a guitar , so what were young students supposed to do to actually learn a guitar? Their answer was to cut the regular amount of guitar strings in half.
Still allowing a child to play triad chords and get the basics of guitar down without the extra width. The idea clearly worked as they have grown in popularity and have great reviews.
Loog Guitar Models
Loog Mini: Guitar for 3 year old beginner
The Loog mini
is for ages 3 and up and it is roughly
22
inches long and about 2lbs
. The body
is
made of
real basswood
, while the neck and fingerboard are
made of maple
. The
strings are made of nylon and the
action and
intonation are incredible for a kid’s guitar.
Intonation means every fret makes the proper note. If the first string is an open G than the first fret will be a G#, the second fret A, and so on up the scale. Usually instruments made for children can barely hold their tuning yet alone have any proper intonation. The Loog Mini is built with actual playability in mind so you can be sure your kid is learning music and not just boringly strumming on an awful sounding instrument.
Kids Acoustic Guitar: Loog Pro Acoustic
The
Loog Pro Acoustic guitar
is for ages 8 and up
and
has
a larger body and twice the weight of
the
Loog Mini. It is about
29 inches
and also made with basswood and maple. This
Loog
actually uses steel
strings which
is something you would never be able to do with a ukulele of the same size.
Like the other Loog models it has three strings which are tuned GBE , the same as the high treble strings on a normal size guitar. It also has low action and excellent intonation. It is a great way to prepare a child for an adult acoustic once they are big enough to handle one.
Kids Electric Guitar: Loog Pro Electric
The
Loog Pro Electric guitar
is also for ages
8
and
up.
It
is made of a wood known as
paulownia
and the
neck of maple like the other Loog guitars. It has three steel strings, the same as the
acoustic
and
with
the
same
great action and intonation as the others.
The Pro Electric can be played without amplification , yet is has a pickup ready to go when you do wish to plug it in.
Loog + Paul Frank
This model is a
Loog electric guitar designed
by
Paul
Frank
. It is essentially all the
other
three models (Mini, Pro Acoustic, and Pro Electric) except with
friendly art and
designs
for
children
.
Basically the
same Loog guitars but with some flare.
Loog Accessories
Along with the guitar you can buy a Loog mini amp, strings, straps, wall hangers, stands,
and
tuners. The strings are a little on the pricey side but necessary for these specific instruments. When
you
purchase
a Loog guitar you will also get access to the
Loog app with a songbook, lessons, and a
tuner
.
Flashcards
There are 24 cards all together , covering all the major and minor triads of all 12 keys. The Loog Chord Flashcards are a simple but effective way to learn playing their new guitar.
Extras
While it is not easy to do on full size guitars, if your child is left handed the Loog strings can simply be reversed . They also encourage children to experiment with different tunings of the three strings. By using different tunings they can get a blues sound, metal, and even punk power chords.
The sole purpose of the Loog is to teach a child music and there is no better way than when kids discover how different notes sound in relation to one another.
By learning the fretboard and chords on a three stringed guitar they will be prepared later for an adult sized instrument.
Conclusions
As mentioned, it is amazing it took so long for someone to come up with an idea on how to get a guitar into a child’s hands. And it turned out to be such a simple instrument made of real wood and producing great sound . Besides fantastic playability they also come in multiple colors and designs.
As if that wasn’t all great news, they are also very affordable , roughly the price of a beginner ukulele so you will not break the bank. With so many great features in such a small package it is no wonder they are so popular. And it is honestly even fun as an adult to play, they are pretty cool little guitars!
The only problem with their popularity is the fact that they often sell out ! It goes to show how many people have bought Loog guitars for their children when the stock is low or gone.
If you have a child that has an interest in music, don’t buy them some unplayable toy that can’t hold a tune.
Get them a three string Loog that will fit their size and age. In no time at all you will set them on a path for highly developed music skills later on in life, and most of all they can have fun doing it!
At the moment, Loog Guitars is running a Free Shipping on all orders, learn more here
FAQ
Why do Loog guitars only have three strings instead of six?
Loog guitars are designed with three strings to address a common problem for young learners: the fretboard of a standard six-string guitar is often too wide for a child's small hands. By using three strings, Loog creates a narrower, more manageable fretboard, making it easier for children to reach notes and form fundamental triad chords. This allows them to begin playing songs and learning proper guitar technique from day one, without the physical strain of a larger instrument.
How does playing a Loog guitar prepare a child for a full-sized 6-string instrument?
Playing a Loog guitar builds foundational guitar skills that directly transfer to a full-sized instrument. Children learn about the fretboard, proper finger placement, and how to play triad chords. The Loog Pro models are tuned GBE, which matches the highest three strings on a standard guitar. This consistency ensures that the knowledge and muscle memory gained on a Loog can be readily applied when they transition to a six-string guitar, preparing them for an adult-sized instrument once they are physically ready.
What is intonation and why is it important for a child's guitar like the Loog?
Intonation refers to the accuracy of the pitch produced when notes are played at different frets along the guitar neck. For example, if an open string is G, the first fret should be G#, the second fret A, and so on. Good intonation is vital for a child's guitar because it ensures that every note they play is accurate. This prevents frustration from playing out-of-tune sounds and helps them develop a proper ear for music, making the learning process more enjoyable and effective compared to toys with poor intonation.
What are the main Loog guitar models and for what age groups are they suitable?
Loog offers several models tailored to different age groups and preferences: * The Loog Mini is designed for ages 3 and up, featuring a smaller 22-inch size, a basswood body, maple neck, and nylon strings. * The Loog Pro Acoustic is for ages 8 and up, a larger 29-inch instrument with a basswood body, maple neck, and steel strings. * The Loog Pro Electric is also for ages 8 and up, constructed with paulownia wood, a maple neck, and steel strings, and can be played with or without amplification. * Additionally, there are Loog + Paul Frank models, which are essentially the other models featuring fun artistic designs for children.
What kind of chords and musical concepts can children learn on a 3-string Loog guitar?
On a 3-string Loog guitar, children can learn fundamental music concepts and a variety of chords. The instrument is specifically designed to allow them to play triad chords, which are essential building blocks in music. Each new Loog guitar includes chord flashcards that illustrate 24 major and minor triads across all 12 keys, with clear finger placement diagrams. Beyond chords, children are encouraged to experiment with different tunings to explore various sounds, such as blues, metal, or punk power chords, fostering an understanding of how different notes relate musically.
Can a left-handed child use a Loog guitar?
Yes, Loog guitars are designed with flexibility for left-handed players. If a child is left-handed, the strings can simply be reversed on the instrument. This adaptability ensures that left-handed children can comfortably and effectively learn to play the guitar without needing a specialized left-handed model.