Pick The Right Musical Instrument For Your Little One

Finding the right musical instrument for your child can be a tough task. What makes it even tougher is if your child hasn’t expressed interest in learning a particular instrument yet or if you have limited knowledge on the types of instruments yourself.

There are so many choices of instruments today, and so many reasons why you should go for a piano over a guitar, or violin over a flute. Nevertheless, narrowing down your choices can come easy once you consider the following factors:

• Child’s Age – children as early as six can already start taking music lessons. However, remember that not all instruments may be suitable for kids of all ages.

  There are limited options especially for very young kids since they need to be physically developed to handle certain instruments, such as guitar, cello, or clarinet. Piano and violin are the instruments most suitable for children ages six and below as they are easier to handle; while guitars and other heavy instruments are more appropriate for kids 10 years and up.

• Personality – it’s also essential to consider your child’s personality when picking an instrument. Kids who keep to themselves often prefer a piano, while those who want to be with peers or join their school’s band may want to play woodwind or brass instruments as these are typically played with a group.

• Sound of Instrument – if your child still doesn’t know what type of instrument he or she would like to learn, then it’s best to show videos of musicians who play them.You can also attend concerts or kids party venues in Sydney that showcase a band or a musician. Exposing your child to different instruments may help him or her realise which sound is more appealing – the strum of a guitar, the keys of a piano, and so on.

• Cost of Instrument – musical instruments can get pricey, and music lessons more so. Having a tight budget doesn’t mean, however, that you should just pass off the chance of letting your child enjoy the benefits of music, although this may relatively influence your options.

  You can look up for affordable instruments online or just rent or borrow one. Nevertheless, if cost isn’t an issue it’s advisable to choose a reliable music store or piano shop in Sydney like Big Music to find a selection of quality instruments. You can even ask for advice on what instrument fits a beginner.

• Instrument Size – obviously, you shouldn’t choose an instrument that is twice the size of your child. No matter how you would love to see your seven-year-old kid play the tuba, it’s best to reserve it until he or she grows bigger and taller.

  Also, consider whether the instrument would fit in your home. Naturally, your child would have to practice playing the instrument at home so make sure you have a room for a piano or cello.

• Availability of music lessons – unless you’re a guitar player or a piano teacher yourself, it would be best to enrol your child in a school like Big Music where a professional can help hone his or her talents and skills. You may also find it hard to find an instructor for instruments that are not too common, such as accordion or contrabass clarinet.

Keeping these things in mind will help you choose the right instrument for your kid. Remember that music offers a lot of benefits to children so it’s only wise to start as early as possible.

Debra Wright blogs about a plethora of topics including Piano shops and other fields.  Debra considers Big Music as one of the leaders in Musical Instruments Store.