Thanks for the welcome Normtheguitar! Ahh... my Dad always played, and I picked the guitar up MANY times over the years. Honestly, it wasn't until just a few weeks ago (20 some years later) that I finally decided to learn! I do wish I'd have had a desire earlier in life... but it happened when it did. Due to my LOVE of music, I'm sure my Dad wished I'd have had a desire to learn many moons ago. My son also doesn't try at things he might fail at. He tends to enjoy picking out notes. I personally try NOT to pick out notes when I'm around him. I don't want to discourage him from what he IS enjoying by going beyond him there. I get what you're saying. It's the age of "parent's know nothing" so if they can't possibly compete with us to prove that we know nothing, they just don't bother. So sad, but there's lots of time and life to learn the guitar once they outgrow that! He'll be coming to you sooner or later!
I'd say that my son and I have an "even playing field" because I just started and he's basically just started... but I have that advantage of years and understanding harmony and rhythm, and listening to a LOT of backyard playing. Plus, I really do have the desire and he doesn't quite have it yet. Sadly, he won't understand that until he's older.
I'm trying very hard to "practice" with him... and do this like a couple friends might. Admittedly it's difficult. He likes to pick something different than what I want to strum. He has no rhythm, and he doesn't want to learn the "old" songs that I do. But, it's coming along alright! We took a hunter safety course together over the summer. That was interesting. He truly enjoyed it because he went in knowing more than me... but he cheated off me a little on the written test. LOL! Trying things that are new to the both of us really helps our relationship. It proves to him, that he's right, mom doesn't know EVERYTHING... but she sure can learn just like HE CAN!
That age is really tough. Enjoy his friends!! Sometimes they help your kid realize how important YOU are to him!
Art and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder.
What constitutes excellent music is in the ears of the listener.
