to be honest - I think things are changing - you know how it is - things change. circumstances alter cases.

When I was a teacher in Birmingham in the 70's, there were a lot of kids into reggae. I tried teaching them some stuff, but most of them had watched other musicians to me - and I tell you this - very few of those kids ever botheres learning first position chords. they got cheap electric guitars and they started with full six string barre chords.

Nowadays there is less reason to start on the acoustic - even than there was then - you can get a a cheap strat or telly copy with a little practise amp and all that stuff for about a hundred quid. there are playable acoustic guitar kits also - like the Cort.

What I would say is - ask your kid what he wants to achieve, and use your intelligence to help him.

My Dad always told me that Josh White and Segovia could piss rings round Hank Marvin. Of course in my maturity I know my dear old Dad was talking tripe on this occasion. well intentioned tripe - I became a a fingerstyle guitarist, I knew it would please my Dad - but I think as a plectrum guitarist I would have been more employable and more in tune with the times.