B-Day present for a boy turning 11

[frankiev]

I'm trying to get this kid into music and his desire just isn't there. As a musician it kills me. It's all about Halo and TV shows (Not that he's even allowed that much of it). I was thinking if I gave him some type of player that would be easy to operate and fun as well maybe he'll start really learning the importance of music.

So especially those of you with kids, would you think the 4GB Touch would be a slick way of jumping him into a start? I've looked at the Samsung, the Sony, and others. The touch seemed more smooth.

Any help would be great.

[paranoidxe]

Well I'm against the idea you are forcing your kid to be something he isn't but thats another story...

Yes the iPod Touch would be quite a thrilling piece of equipment but he might just operate it as a video player.

(FYI, there is no 4GB touch only 8GB/16GB)

[AZYUMA86]

Honestly, I think the Touch may be a little much for someone who may not even use it much.

You mentioned Halo so I'm going to assume he likes videogames in general. If he/you own a Xbox 360,PS3,PS2, or a Wii then I would recommend picking up one of the Guitar Hero games. He'll be getting his gaming fix and at the same time he'll be hearing some great music. He'll also learn some rhythm and may want to pursue playing real guitar! Plus its a good party game that anybody can play. I have a younger brother (13) who wasn't to big on music until I let him play my copy of Guitar Hero 2. He went on to put some of the songs from that game onto his iPod. Soon I was discovering that he had other songs from the same artists. Not long after that he was asking me for recommendations for similar music. His appreciation for music has only grown since.

Just a little anecdotal evidence but it may be worth a shot depending on your situation.

[AbuseMyDNA]

Wouldnt bother getting an 11 yr old a touch....just get a Nano at the most.
Also, he's 11 and not into music much, errr the other guy didnt wanna say it but I do, so what lol?! I dont think I got into it until a teenager and now its my passion. Dont worry about that, just only worry if he wants to play games all day and never go outside and play with friends!
Its your opinion and decisions, but music to me isnt the be all and end all, not as important as other things. But yeah nice idea for a gift and I would stick to something more basic, not a touch, its definitely something for over 16 yr olds to show off...

[frankiev]

OK i'll skip it. But I must say when his friends come over and I'm playing a Ramones song they can sing every word. And games aren't the answer for us. Ever since we backed off of the TV for him he's been way more creative and reading like a madman. Anyway this isn't a parenting forum so i'll think of something else.

Thanks everyone. You saved me some $.

[beast]

what a bizarre post. Want to get your kid into music? Send him to piano or guitar lessons. Whybwould you buy an eleven year old an I pod touch? That's just mental

[yensed]

I think its important for kids to develop a taste for music at a young age. My whole life I have been surrounded with people who listen and play music. My passion for music has came from being around those people. It sounds like he lacks those type of people in his life. I really like the Guitar Hero idea(Though not everyone likes those type of games). Taking him to a couple concerts might help as well.what a bizarre post. Want to get your kid into music? Send him to piano or guitar lessons. Whybwould you buy an eleven year old an I pod touch? That's just mental
My father has been playing guitar for 30+ years. I have never had the passion to play guitar, and he understands that. If my parents had forced me to learn guitar, it would have only made me hate the guitar with a passion.

[YankeezGirl]

I think the touch is a little much for an 11 year old. Start out with a nano I'd say.

[isaacr312]

^Yup, that's what I'd start him off with also! Also, on the Nano, you can download games from iTunes, and play them on the Nano!! :) So you can give him the games he likes, and get him into music all at the same time!! :D

[Saterik]

It will just get dropped and broken if you buy one for an 11 year old. My younger sister had an original iPod at 14 and managed to wreck it!

I also totally agree with what some of the others have said.... kids just don't really get into music till there teens... I know that was the case with me and all my friends.

If you want to get a child into music, teach them to play an instrument.

[BlackHawk47]

it is ironic I have been playing piano for nearly 8 years, and I do not own an iPod. The only Nano in my house belongs to my brother.

Nonetheless, I am looking into the Touch as my first iPod.

On top of "forcing" a kid into interest for music, I was placed into piano lessons with no complete passion, and many times in my young childhood, wanted to quit. But I stuck with it, and now I play so many video game themes, classical, and jazz. I even went into playing the alto saxophone, guitar, and drums, all with some years of experience. Music is fun!

I don't think an iPod is the way to go with bringing a kid to cultivate a love for music, but I see where you are going. Try taking him to a music store, with lots of electric guitars and basses, keyboards, drums, etc. I, personally, love to go to those places to mess around! ^^

[splooshie]

sucks that you took him away from the tv =( that will only make him like tv more.

i second the guitar hero games. they are my absolute favorite game, and trust me once your kid tries it once he will be hooked.

i hope you understand though, shooting games are major fun, i have 40 hours of counter strike: source for these past 2 weeks.... halo isnt that great, despite all the hype =) but if you tried some good games you would probably be hooked....

I myself hate reading, i can read pretty damn fast but i just never liked it. and it was always because my parents forced my into it, and they still do, so you know, just try to let that sink in a little. plus, the kids at his school will probably make fun of him once he gets into middle school, at least, the kids at my school are made fun of, especially when they didnt see the big baseball game, new episode of family guy, or the news when something crazy happened.

dont buy him a touch. if hes just getting into music then id say get him a nano or the new zen, because he probably wouldnt like the shuffle all too much.

P.S. creative isnt always better *cough* ADD *cough*

of course creative can be better, if you know what i mean....

[swimfreak000]

I get what you are saying and unlike others, I am not against it. I would not get him a touch, though. The touch is expensive and fragile. Don't get an 11 year old who might not care about it much a touch. Get him an ipod nano. Plus, the touch doesn't come in 4gb.