Which Musical Instrument Should Your Child Learn To Play?
It is good practice to introduce your child to as many new experiences as possible when they are young, this includes music. Formal music lessons are a bad idea at a young age but listening to different types of music and creating noises and rhythm on simple instruments can be a lot of fun for the child. We recommend avoiding lessons before the age of eight, unless they show a real interest in childrens musical instruments before then. Let them hear a variety of different styles of music and genres. Take them to live music experiences as often as you can.
In order to learn to play a musical instrument properly they will need to be able to recognise numbers and letters up to G. They will also need to be physically and mentally mature enough. For example, children should wait until their second set of front teeth are fully grown before picking up the trumpet or cornet.
A popular childrens musical instrument is the recorder, it also provides a good introduction to other wind instruments. The recorder can also be played to a high standard and can sound good when played solo and a part of a group. A child can play a recorder early, as soon as his or her fingers are big enough to cover the holes.
For other wind and brass instruments, the child needs to be big enough to hold and blow them. Strong lips and being able to produce a good “puff” is crucial. These instruments do not usually come in smaller equivalents, and when they do (the piccolo or soprano saxophone, for example), they require a good level of skill and so are not really ideal for young children. As children mature they usually progress onto more complex instruments.
The piano can be played as soon as a child can reach the keys and have enough strength to press them down. Another popular children’s musical instrument is the violin as this comes in smaller sizes. Stringed instruments often come in smaller sizes, so children can start playing them at a young age. A number of stringed instruments can be one-eighth of the size of full sized instruments. Most guitars, for example, are available in smaller sizes and are suitable for children aged eight and above.
Of course, singing is also a wonderful way of enjoying music without needing an instrument. Children should be prompted to sing from a young age and have self-confidence in their ability. Singing is something that all children can be concerned with and is a great group activity for school music classes.
which recorder, wood or plastic – beginner alto and soprano recorder lesson 1
