Choosing Instruments
Choosing an Instrument for Your Child
You, the parent(s), have decided that your child should learn how to play music. Now, you are wonder which instrument should your child learn. Here is a list of factors that are important to consider when choosing your child’s first instrument.
There’s obviously a lot to think about when it comes time for your child to select the right instrument. To keep things straight in your mind, categorize your decision-making information into the following categories:
• Body type: Not all instruments come in “child sizes,” so consider your youngster’s overall body size when selecting a first instrument. Kids with large, well-developed lungs will likely do well with most wind instruments, for example. Children who have small hands might do well with a child-size violin or guitar. Keep in mind that little ones grow rapidly and might need to upgrade to an adult-size instrument within a year or two. But be sure to take body type into account before the first set of lessons.
• Age: Children go through phases. Never try to push your son or daughter into a particular instrument choice. Let them work with what’s age appropriate. For example, preschool-age kids often find it difficult to control their breathing well enough to even produce sound on many wind instruments. Others, with small hands, might see huge challenges in a guitar but not with a piano. As body size, hand size and lung capacity changes, children of varying ages will gravitate toward some instruments more than others.
• Dedication to learning: If your child is still very young and seems likely to switch instruments or not stick with lessons for very long, consider a default instrument like the piano. That way, the little learner can acquire musical basics and you need not be concerned about a switch or changed mind. Carefully assess the level of dedication before opting for a specific instrument to use in early lessons.
• Teacher: Some parents with experience with little music learners say that finding the right instructor or online teaching platform is as important as choosing the right instrument. Remember, teachers often have profound, life-long influences on young minds. In music education, that fact is even more apparent. Making sure your youngster gets connected with an instructor that has experience with the instrument you choose and with young pupils.
• The child’s personality: As the parent, you know what the like or don’t like is of your child(ren), and where their potential is the strongest. Some kids are happier with loud instruments that call for large movement ranges, like drums. Others are among the personality types that seek out quieter, more subtle instruments that produce finer levels of sound and call for precise motions, like the violin. Think about your child’s personality when choosing a musical instrument and you’ll be more apt to find a good fit.
• Manual ability/dexterity; Does your child have large hands and keen manual dexterity? If so, this factor can play a major role in the types of instruments they might choose. These purely physical factors include not only dexterity of fingers but lung capacity and overall coordination. Watch your child as he or she experiments and tries out various instruments and you’ll get a feel for how well they move their fingers, demonstrate coordination during play and breathe.
• The musical style: It’s obvious that certain categories of instruments lend themselves to particular styles of music. That’s why it’s essential to consider a child’s music preferences when choosing an instrument. For example, for youngsters who seem drawn to classical pieces, a violin or cello could be an apt choice. On the other hand, if the pupil gravitates toward songs that feature banjos or guitars, then those stringed instruments might be wiser initial choices.
• Preference: Don’t neglect a child’s instrument choice if they express a desire for a particular one. It’s common for children to want to do what parents or older siblings do, so there might be some “copying” involved. However, if your little one shows a decided preference for a certain instrument, this can be a good sign that they will stick with it for a year or more.
It’s a well-known fact that learning how to play an instrument has many benefits that will serve children well in life, even outside of the music world. The focus for this blog is on stringed instruments. Here is a short list of five different string instruments great for beginners, along with reasons why these are good choices:
1. Violins/Fiddles
Because violins come in smaller sizes (1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and full) and their strings aren’t very hard to press down, they are one of the best string instruments for small fingers. You will have to endure the screeching noises of a beginning violinist/fiddler, but I think the beautiful music in coming years is worth the pain now. Your child will need some instruction. If you don’t feel up to teaching fiddle and don’t have a reliable teacher living nearby, you can use instructional DVDs to help you and your child figure out how to play. If you like bluegrass and are teaching your child fiddle, not violin, check out Homespun Tapes’ learning materials, such as Fiddle for the Absolute Beginner, a video of private lessons from Jim Wood. You can buy it on Amazon and can also search for other materials by Homespun. (Homespun Fiddle Instruction)
2. Ukulele
No list of the best musical instruments for beginners would be complete without the ukulele. Suitable for ages as young as 4-5 years old. We know from experience that ukuleles can be a great first instrument. They’re fun, easy to handle, and introduce the basics of rhythm and melody. It’s seen a big rise in popularity over the last few years because it’s even simpler to learn than the guitar. The reduced number of strings means less time getting used to the fingerings, and the ukulele has a unique sound that can make any song sound great. As an added perk, ukuleles are also very affordable.
3. Guitar
There’s a reason that guitars are some of the most popular instruments on the planet. For beginners aged 6-10 years old, this is a great age for children to start learning instruments such as the violin or guitar. You can also get youth versions of each instrument that are easier to manage for younger children!
With only six chords, it’s easy to learn how to play almost any song once you get a grip on the basics. You can also apply what you’ve learned with any other type of guitar. There is a learning curve when it comes to finger placement and handling the strings, but once you have down those basics, the skills easily transfer. Achieving the highest proficiency levels can take decades, but learning to play your favorite songs is much simpler, making it one of the easiest instruments to learn in many aspects.
4. Mandolin
For a slightly different sound and a much easier touch for your younger children (4-5 years old), try the mandolin banjo. You can get a cheaper instrument on Amazon, although if you want a nice one you might talk to your local music store owner to see if he/she carries this unique instrument. Mandolin banjos usually have nylon strings (soft) and only four of them, like a banjo and unlike the 8-stringed traditional mandolin.
5. Piano
Okay, so the piano is not a stringed instrument. A lot of researchers recommend the piano as the first instrument for a child to learn. This is because the piano serves as a stepping stone towards understand other musical instruments – it serves as a great stepping stone because the tones and keys of a piano are easy to identify. Pianos also need very little tuning, needing tuning only about twice a year.
Certain styles of music your child gravitates toward can be a good indicator for the right instrument to choose. For example, if the prospective pupil has fallen for jazz, rock, blues or pop music, consider the guitar. You can even start with a child’s electric guitar if it seems appropriate.
Ultimately, the easiest instrument to learn is the one that fits comfortably in your child’s hands and ignites a passion. This is where the true joy of learning musical instruments begins, transforming practice sessions into moments of pure pleasure and self-discovery. So, choose an instrument that resonates with them, and let every practice session unlock a world of musical possibilities!
Choosing a Stringed Instrument
Considering the Family Budget
The old adage, “Money makes the world go ‘round” is applicable to the study of music, whether the learner is a child or an adult. As a parent, you are in the unique position of knowing in advance what you are able to spend on an instrument. In some cases, the total cost of a new instrument and accessories can dictate what will be available to your child.
However, with so many options available today, the vast majority of parents are able to work out an arrangement to afford whatever their youngster wishes to play. First, consider a few of the key factors that play a role in overall pricing, from a parent’s point of view:
• You don’t necessarily need a new instrument. Many children, especially younger ones, switch instruments after a year or two for all sorts of reasons. That is just one element that leads to a vibrant second-hand market in musical instruments of all types. So, if you can’t afford a brand new violin, piano or guitar, for example, consider purchasing a second-hand one from a reputable seller.
• Whether you choose to buy new or used, don’t worry about purchasing all the many accessories right away. Some of them won’t be needed until a few months into lessons. You can always buy the accessories as your child needs them. The point is, don’t feel obligated to “buy everything” on day one.
• If you purchase a used musical instrument, find a knowledgeable friend who can help you shop. A trained musician is an invaluable resource when you head to the music store and evaluate used instruments. They’ll know what to look for, what reasonable price ranges are and how to negotiate for extras like mouth-pieces and carrying cases.
• There are also instrument rental and “rent-to-own” programs at most of the better stores. These options are ideal for parents who are working with a tight budget or just don’t want to plunk down the full price for a new instrument. Renting for a few months is a low-cost, smart way to give your child a chance to check things out and experiment.
Of course, there are a few additional factors aside from the “buy or rent” question for parents of prospective musicians. You’ll need to look at a new instrument’s total price. Guitars, for instance, routinely cost much less than violins and pianos. There are definitive ranges of price for the entire spectrum of new and even used instruments. If you are not sure that your child will stick with learning an instrument, look for programs like the “Play It Forward”, an instrument lending programs for youth that helps make it easy on the pocket book.
There’s also the cost of lessons to consider, the child’s commitment to sticking with a program of study, the availability of low-cost or free instruction at community centers and elsewhere, and scheduling. Busy parents need to have some time to take kids to and from lessons or oversee in-home learning when necessary. Always look at the big picture when examining the expenses related to music education. With a little planning, most parents find a way to get their children into a program where they can learn to play the instrument of their choice.
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