Guitar Lessons for a 12 yr old w/no natural playing talent?

Mrs. Santa is bringing my daughter an electric guitar w/ amp (yes, crazy I know!) for Christmas. She'll want to just play it and it sound good without her taking the steps to even learn one song. Any suggestions to entire her to take even a few lessons? Do most places offer a short-course?

Ladies - thank you, and you're so right (not negative, honest). Certainly wouldn't want to frustrate the teacher.

Great idea about the trial lessons - perfect! This will be the path I take on helping her enjoy the guitar.

Most places will offer a trial lesson, before making it a long-term thing. You can call a music store (or your local university's music department) and ask for contact info on guitar instructors. Ask them if you could set up a trial lesson for your daughter to see if she likes it. If she likes it, then set up a weekly lesson (or even once every two weeks) and go from there.

I hate to be negative but she's going to have put in some effort here or she shouldn't bother. What's the point? I have heard that the guitar is an easy instrument to learn but difficult to master. She's still pretty young so maybe she can just try on her own. Maybe when she is older and more mature she can take lessons. I'm sure one lesson wouldn't hurt but she has to be willing to listen and make an effort, otherwise it will frustrate the instructor and be a complete waste of money.

Most places charge by the hour or half hour and you can go as often as you like!
You can teach yourself to play an instrument, from books, which I suppose is tuition as well but it is very hard to learn technique!
You cant beat proper one to one tuition.

When I was young, I tried out a variety of different musical instruments: the piano, guitar, flute, sax, trumpet, Cello and the drums, before I found something that sounded just perfect everytime I played it, so I stuck with it, and gave up trying on all those other instruments. [Just what that is, is listed under "my sources" below.]

But seriously, you really need to give her the chance to see if she really has any musical talent, and get some first-hand experience on just how much work it is to master something like this--it is part of the overall experience of growing up: what you get back out of something is proportional to the amount of effort you put into it.

The trial lessons is a great idea, and also keep in mind there are little one-string diddies she could learn in minutes. The final thing to be aware of is that her interest in the instrument will remain stronger, if you can get access to "fresh" music that is what she is already listening to: get sheet music from her favorite artists, not some old traditional Irish ballad.

#1--Does she want a guitar?? There are music stores that offer lessons like for guitar, piano, etc. Check around for that and also look in the phone book. Im thinking if she really wants the guitar she will want to take lessons. Good Luck!!!!

One on one trial lessons from a guitar teacher will be appropriate. It might be a little more expensive but it will get her started on guitar the right way with the right techniques and she won't develop bad habits from the beginning.
Then she can start taking classes with other students which is cheaper and will be more fun and keep her more interested.
As she learns more you and your daughter can continue talking to the teacher to keep things challenging, fresh and interesting. That's the big key: communication with your kid and teacher to keep the experience worth continuing. You want to enlist the teacher as the person who will help your kid meet her goals.