Which Musical Instrument Is Right for Your Kid?
Many parents regret not being able to have learned a musical instrument in school back in their younger years. So now they wish to provide that opportunity for their kids.
With there being so many musical instruments in the world, though, how do you find out which musical instrument is right for your kid?
More so, you don’t want your child to play just any instrument but rather to play one that will positively impact their character development.
All this can feel overwhelming but worry not. I am here to help.
Things To Consider When Choosing an Instrument for Your Kids
Age
Age influence’s a kid’s body size, stamina, and ability to grasp musical concepts.
It is indeed far much easier for kids to learn music at a young age. However, don’t be too eager to get them started on just any musical instrument.
Kids below the age of two are better off simply having fun with their musical toys.
Kids between ages two and four are in a position to understand the basics of music concepts. However, they typically have pretty low stamina, so ensure that they have fun with whichever instrument they are learning.
Instrument Size and Weight
One needs to consider the degree of strength it takes to hold up a particular musical instrument while playing or transporting it.
In addition, does the learner have sufficient core and back strength essential to maintaining proper posture while playing the instrument?
A kid may be able to hold up an instrument for a few minutes, but can they handle doing so for 30 minutes or the duration of practice?
An overly large instrument can annoy and frustrate the kid because they would end up struggling to play it properly. Not to mention that the wrongly sized instrument could cause tension, leading to fatigue and muscle strain.
Height
Plenty of musical instruments come in different sizes to cater to players of all ages.
However, a child’s height is a factor to consider because some kids may be smaller in height than they should be at a particular age. Often this means that the child may have smaller hands as well.
In such an instance, such a kid would be unable to properly play certain wind and string instruments because they would lack the reach required to handle them. Such instruments include trombone, saxophone, guitar, and clarinet, among others.
That’s not to mean that a smaller-bodied child cannot play these instruments, though. It is possible to have the kid learn the basics while waiting to reach the required height for a particular instrument.
Alternatively, a parent may opt to get a custom instrument for the kid that’s properly fitted, but bear in mind that this will be quite a costly undertaking.
Ease Of Progression
The last thing a parent would want to do is set up a kid with a musical instrument that’s too difficult to learn, thereby discouraging the kid and deterring them from playing an instrument altogether.
The perfect beginner musical instrument for your kid is one that allows for quick successes and progress, thereby keeping the learner engaged and eager to play better.
Most Popular Instruments for Kids
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Piano
Although the keys may appear complicated, the piano is actually a straightforward instrument to learn and understand.
One advantage is that the keys provide a visual representation of music which comes in handy in training visual learners, which most kids are.
As well, the layout of the keyboard makes it easy for kids to get the hang of reading sheet music faster. This is because it’s easy for them to make a connection between melody lines and how they appear on the staves.
A kid would be able to play a song on the piano after just four weeks of studying it.
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Drums
Children flourish best when they do not have to begin with an instrument that requires them to hold it up. This is what makes the drums an excellent choice for young ones.
Primarily, drums focus on rhythm cycles, which is a great starting point because musical rhythm comes naturally to all humans. As a result, it provides the learner with a great foundation of music.
At the same time, this instrument provides an excellent avenue for kids to dispel any bad energy or pent-up aggression.
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Violin
There is a perfect reason why violins are available in size 1/16 meant for kids aged two to four.
This instrument is light and compact, and similarly to the piano, the violin is a great instrument for learning the fundamentals of tone and pitch.
Getting started on the violin can be challenging, not to mention how tasking it may be to coordinate using the bow on a violin.
Regardless, learning this instrument is very rewarding and cultivates a great deal of discipline, perseverance, and mental strength.
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Flute
Similar to the violin, the flute is another instrument that requires great patience.
Playing this instrument means that the child should be able to keep their arms and hands lifted for extended periods of time, which can be incredibly challenging for most beginners.
That being said, learning to play the flute well is highly rewarding, and the kid can seamlessly transition to playing the clarinet.
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Trumpet
If you are keen on brass instruments for your little one, then the trumpet will be a great starting point.
Its simple design is one of its endearing factors, seeing as there are just three buttons for the kid to focus on manipulating. However, this instrument calls for coordination between breathing, embouchure, and finger work.
Just as well, similar to the flute, the young player will have to hold up the instrument for extended periods, thereby requiring both physical and mental strength.
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Guitar
It is pretty easy to learn how to play the guitar, and better yet, there is a cool factor associated with it!
The delicate nature of this instrument and the fine motor skills required mean that it is pretty challenging to learn the basics of music while playing the guitar.
Nevertheless, if your child has the desire to play it and is up for a challenge, then, by all means, go for it.
If you think that your child is too young to handle a normal-sized guitar, you will be glad to know that there are fractional guitars that you can opt for instead.
Conclusion
It is a wondrous thing to be able to play a musical instrument. Not to mention that such a skill would expose your child to a whole new world.
It could build their confidence, make them smarter, expand their social circle, and encourage self-expression, among so many other benefits.
So really, encouraging your child to learn a musical instrument is a priceless gift that they would eternally treasure.