Best instrument for 7 year old?

[musichelpneeded]

At DD's school the kids have the chance to learn a first instrument from the age of 7. DD is really keen to do this and had her heart set on the piano, and we had heard from friends that it was a good choice as a first instrument, perfect for kids to start off on. We have a digital piano at home, and so were going to sign up for the piano lessons starting next school year. However, school have thrown a spanner in the works by stating that digital pianos are unacceptable for kids to practise on, and that we must own an acoustic piano.

I'm not sure I want to invest in an acoustic piano until I know how DD would take to it. We don't have a whole lot of space for one either although could rejig things if necessary. So wondering if there's any other instrument I might be able to steer her towards? I've heard strings are tricky for little ones to start out with, and wondered if the school's option of one year recorder, moving on to something like flute or clarinet after that, would be better? DD also fancies the harp but I know nothing about that! They also get the chance to pick up a second instrument the following year. Originally I had though piano plus something she could play in the orchestra might be a good choice but I don't really know a lot about music myself.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated!

I did violin and my dd is a year into violin. Yes it sounded like a cat was being murdered in the early days but she can hold a tune and read music now. We also have a digital piano and I’ve paid for an online teaching programme for that, she can now play with 2 hands and enjoys it. They are so neuroplastic at this age and I advocate exposing them to as many options as possible.

Flute is cheap - you can comfortably reach G8 standard on an instrument costing under £1,000 which is not the case for other woodwinds, especially double reeds like oboe or bassoon (horrendously expensive but very much in demand!). However it's rubbish for later playing opportunities being popular but with very few seats in bands and orchestras. Clarinets are as limited in orchestras but you need more for wind bands plus jazz.
Brass is generally affordable plus all the brass band opportunities (and often cheap tuition and instrument hire).

I'd like my DC to try a string instrument as they are generally the most likely to allow an adult hobby player to play in an orchestra (safety in numbers) and once we have got a long term house will definitely add in piano - will be getting a decent digital, not an acoustic though - decent digitals are usually fine up to at least G5 and possibly more like G8!

Is it private school? I can't imagine school dictating what type of piano you have - unless they're snobbily thinking a digital piano is the same as an electric keyboard.

I agree with previous poster: Tell the school you have leased an acoustic piano, then just carry on with your digital one.

She wants to learn piano.
You already have one.
You can plug headphones in which precious few other instruments offer.

I learned on a digital piano. There was never any issue with it, it 'felt' the same to play on it as it did on the upright at school and the baby grand my neighbour had!

Another vote for piano. My dd learnt on a keyboard at first and that was fine to get her grade 1. We then got a digital piano and it has full sized weighted keys and is absolutely fine to practise on.

Thanks so much for the input - really value it. Glad that so many people think the piano we have isn't actually an obstacle - so I think we might persevere with DD's original choice for now (maybe not being totally honest with school). I agree that since she does seem really keen on it, it would be a good idea to go with her enthusiasm. It has been really interesting reading about the other instruments too though and given us some ideas for her second choice. I've really learnt a lot!

One of mine started on piano, got to G4 but really didn’t like it, and swopped to singing and an orchestral instrument.

The other hated piano and dropped it after one year, picked up recorder and then trumpet, and plays both to about the same level now.

For both of them, the being able to read music that they got from the piano lessons made the next instrument relatively easy to pick up.

My 3 have each chosen a different instrument. Ds started on flute then switched to violin. Dd went straight to flute. DS2 plays a trumpet.

I think it helps the child if you have some experience of the instrument so you can support them. Ds2 chose the trumpet specifically because I have no experience and he likes to be independent!!!

As I have played both violin and flute....logistically a flute is easier to carry around and less likely to get bashed or go out of tune.

Piano sounds perfect to start with. You have one. She's keen. The most Important things are practising. So despite to learn. And at this stage learning to read music and learning some basic music theory. She can always swap instruments later if she wants.

brass brass brass brass!

I started on a horn and it gave me great lung capacity was easy to get small fingers round three valves and had an easy enough technique.

I moved onto flute much later so not sure about small people and flutes but honestly brass instruments are great and so versatile.