Orchestra instrument

One of the few grade 8 players in the country? Hardly!

OP, let him choose (but steer away from the violin unless you intend to invest in a good set of earplugs)

Do kids really learn trombone or tuba age 7? Things have changed since I was a kid if so.

Better for boys is an odd thing to suggest. Def no such thing

violin can be good in the long term as orchestras will always need more violins than say flutes and trombones however they are harder to learn. My ds took to the flute really well. Wind instruments will have band options instead of orchestras.

However, if your son is already playing piano and singing well I’m not sure I’d necessarily over complicate things by encouraging another instrument unless he is keen!

I wouldn't go for the brass-band-specific brass (baritone, euphonium, tenor horn) unless there is a local junior brass band. Trumpet/cornet are essentially the same, and at junior level most groups will not fuss about which you play (technically trumpet for orchestras, cornet for brass bands) - we were advised to start with a cornet as it is easier to hold for a child. Some school orchestras are unfussy about including non-orchestral instruments, but this may depend on being willing to transpose parts for them, and it may not be the case at secondary school.

Definitely expose him to a range of instruments and see what he likes. Also check out what there is locally to play in; one of the biggest joys of playing an instrument is playing in groups, and our local junior brass band kept DD going when she wasn't getting on well with her teacher. (Getting the right teacher is important - unfortunately we didn't get it right first time. Good teachers are likely to agree to a taster lesson.) If there's a school orchestra, that's a good start.

At 7 check if his hands and arms are big enough for some of these suggestions. Violins are often started at a younger age because wind instruments are one size and too big for smaller children. Our primary school orchestra allowed recorders which are both cheap and portable.

Where in the uk are you OP?
If north-west id thoroughly recommend finding a training brass band - gives options for tuba / tenor/ baritone / euph / cornet / percussion

Both of mine are in various ensembles be it brass / orchestra / concert and it started from an amazing base in a training brass band. One started at 6, one at 8 - they have a wonderful family feel to them and have given both mine amazing opportunities.

Your DS needs to choose which instrument to play because the commitment to practice time and energy. He may prefer one instrument over another as it is a personal choice your DS needs to be involved in. For example, he may excel at strings as opposed to woodwind or may prefer brass.

Kids can learn more than one instrument at the same time and there is only one clef to a lot of orchestral instruments too.

As an aside, the bassoon is a cracking instrument and has some wonderful solos across many great orchestral works.

My experience is that the woodwind in any amateur orchestra is so much better than the string sections - their sight reading is outstanding and they’re so much more exposed, as fewer of them across each section. Safety in numbers and a bit of herd mentality over in the strings (I’m a second violinist!)

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/right-instrument-for-your-child-book-atarah-ben-tovim-9781409138129?sku=GOR006111181&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17415896148&gbraid=0AAAAADZzAICuuSIMUbFxwEGTkIPik4q4y&gclid=CjwKCAjwhLPOBhBiEiwA8_wJHKN8Bc_5wT2OgSbrQU4V_BZZKixSr1csH9flK1x--upf4PM_Kg7NghoCpkEQAvD_BwE

I always recommend this book, which deals also with the right stage at which to start them (maturity - but also some wind instruments recommend adult teeth etc).

I am an experienced violinist and play in a very high standard amateur orchestra. I have never thought of any instrument as being sex specific: it’s more about the player’s character.

Desperately short of decent oboe players in our county, and strangely not many clarinets either.

Most clarinet players i knew also played saxophone later, so option of jazz clarinet and saxophone too.

I concur with this, I played oboe and frequently ended up in all sorts of groups. Took a long time to sound better than a strangled duck though!

Bassoonists can always find work!

Sorry missed the smaller instrument preference! Although we've only ever had a smallish electric kit at home, for marimba/xylophone/glok etc she practices at school or music service so it's only a case of taking drum sticks for her lessons.

Don't rule out percussion, lots of variety for him if you think he'd enjoy that.

My boy had the choice of flute or clarinet, I wasn't going to put myself through the violin. I wouldn't say one was more masculine than the other! He went for flute.

My sister was made to learn the bassoon aged 11, and ended up really enjoying it. One of the few grade 8 players in the country!

Tubas are always in demand. The small ones kids start in aren’t that big!

The baritone isn't used in the average orchestra either, that's why it's probably better to start with trumpet before moving on to something else.

A baritone (horn) is generally quite a good starter. I know lots of players that have then gone to bigger or more varied instruments (euph/trombone/bass etc) but I agree with people saying that trombone is versatile. You can literally play it in any group. I play the euphonium and can’t play in jazz bands/ never needed in pit bands etc.

The trombone is, of course, the best instrument, but I would not suggest it for a 7 year old. Start them on the trumpet, and then they will be able to switch once they get a bit bigger, should they want to.

Of course, if they particularly want to play the violin, then that would be the best option. They could always switch to viola later should they think that would be beneficial. Cello is, obviously, larger, but they do smaller sizes for beginners, and it has such a rich repertoire.

Flutes and clarinets are generally over subscribed in orchestras, oboe and bassoon would probably provide more options, but they sound dreadful when first starting.

Do you have a music centre where you can try different instruments? Our music centre has try and instrument day which we found useful.
My children tried various instruments. Settled on woodwind.
A previous post mentions not to go for flute/clarinet as they are popular however I disagree. My eldest started with clarinet - which then helped with picking up other instruments such as alto sax/bass clarinet/ flute.

See what the kid fancies. For versatility I'd say maybe trumpet as it fits in brass bands, orchestras & jazz/swing groups. My kid is a French horn player, wouldn't consider any other instrument even though it's supposed to be the most difficult. He says it's not that difficult though 😂

The best instrument is the one he loves the sound of and wants to play. Lots of kids sat violin as it's all they know. Get him to listen to some music with video. Try Young persons guide to the orchestra as suggested or look at some of the National youth orchestra videos on YouTube.

Some broad generalisations,
Violin - need lots of them, cheap to buy at start, can get fractional sizes. Easy to change to viola for more rarity. Needs a good ear and a lot to get to grips with. Takes years to sound good
Cello- parts are easier than violin to start with. Posture may be easier to master
Double bass - great but need the space. Can get smaller ones to start. Much easier to get into ensembles
Brass- brass bands often offer good opportunities. There's never enough good tuba players! French horn harder and more expensive.
Trumpet/ trombone can do jazz etc too
Flute / clarinet easy to get started on but super popular so may get stuck at lower level ensembles Relatively cheap to start as lots of second hand instruments available
Oboe- some hate the pressure. Expensive to start, ongoing cost of reeds but even a second hand pro instrument may be less than a really good violin.
Bassoon - complicated but if they fall in love, they love it! Super expensive but may be able to borrow. Smaller ones available.

Think about the role they like- team player, need support around, happy to play solos, like being the bass or prefer a good tune. You might start one then change after a couple of years. It's never wasted.

Avoid the flute. Everyone plays it, and there aren't many ensemble seats.

Trumpet is portable and has great jazz/pop repertoire alongside orchestral stuff.

Oboes are a bit niche which creates opportunities. One of my DC plays well enough but is very far from a prodigy, and is in a ridiculous number of ensembles due to being so in demand.

Whilst I think it's sometimes easy to perceive some instruments are "easier" than others ultimately a beginner starts at the beginning and it takes time and practice to get to a "good" standard. It's never a linear journey and there will.always be moments with most children where they just want to give up as when it gets challenging.

I've always been musical (I play semi professionally) and remember nearly quitting at several times as a child - I think finding an instrument they are interested in and really want to learn is key. You need that interest to get them over the inevitable "humps".

As aside my musical.dc learns guitar, drums and cello. My other dc has no interest so never pushed it!