Which instrument to start dd1 on?

[itchyandscratchy]

Music lessons at school are being offered in Year 3: piano/keyboard; clarinet; flute or acoustic guitar.

I'd like dd1 to start music lessons but not sure which instrument. I played piano from a young age and there is a piano at my dad's house which we could eventually have here if we want, or could buy a keyboard. Or would one of the others be a better one to try to learn?

Not much experience of the other instruments so wouldn't mind some thoughts about cost, ease of learning, etc. I'd say dd1 isn't hugely musically inclined as such (not like dd2 who sings beautifully and seems to have a good ear for it) but I think it would be good for her as a discipline and the school lessons seem a good starting place. Lessons would be shared and in school time for now.

Piano is always a good starting point as they learn to read both clefs. Don't buy a keyboard though, unless it's one that mimmicks the action of real piano keys (Clavinova etc).

With something like clarinet or flute their hands will need to be big enough and it will take a fair while to learn to make a 'decent' sound, whereas the piano makes a reasonable sound straight away - you just need to learn which notes to press!

Does your DD have a preference? Does she have the chance to "have a go" before you decide? My DD's school lets the Y2 kids try out the various instruments and meet the teacher before they make a decision.

dd2 was very keen to learn flute, starting in year 3. Her fingers wouldn't reach all the keys though and her arms weren't long enough to hold it for long. She was/is an average sized but skinny girl.

She waited a year and started in September at the beginning of year 4 and has done really well at it but she's been playing recorder since year 1 and does practice at least 5 times a week

DD started flute in Y6. I played the flute when I was at school so we had a very old one lying around at home which she could use to get started on. She had played around with mine so was able to make a sound out of it and so found it fairly easy to get going. Also she had played the recorder so it is a very easy transition. We bought her a new flute last year which was about £250 IIRC using the assisted instrument purchase scheme. Downsides are she is in Y7 now and is struggling a bit with getting a decent sound since she has had a brace fitted!

DS is in Y3 and he started guitar lessons just before Christmas. I have to say I love listening to home practise as it is difficult to make a guitar sound bad (as long as you pluck the right strings ) whereas the flute doesn't sound as good with a beginner. In terms of cost we bought him a guitar in Asda for £25 which seems to be absolutely fine for now! DH has an expensive guitar which he has had for years and seems to think that ds's guitar is ok.

Cost of lessons was the same for both as done through school but dd's have doubled now that she is at secondary school. HTH

Flute or clarinet, because its much more fun to play in a group / orchestra than on your own.
Guitar can be taught at this age, but is not always very rewarding or satisfying for the children until their fingers are stronger.

guitar can really hurt your fingers at first. Clarinet will enable her to play in a band/group/orchestra quite quickly and thats fun.

Yes, agree about guitar. Both my brother and I started guitar lessons as well and we both wimped out when our fingers hurt us. Dd1 is a wingebag has a low pain threshold and I can't see her persevering with anything that makes her fingers throb.

She's tall for her age and so handspan won't be an issue - also agree about orchestra/band stuff with clarinet. Could always move onto sax as well when she's older if she takes to it.

Thanks for replies. Food for thought....

Piano is most difficult as the two hands are playing different notes - also need to be able to read both lines of music simultaneously. You must have a piano or a keyboard with piano action at home or it isn't worth the lessons. Clarinet and flute are fairly similar - perhaps clarinet is a little more difficult to get a note at first. There are opportunities to play in groups, but only the better players ever get to play in youth orchestras because so many learn these instruments and there are so few places for them. Guitar is hard on the fingers and something you are either strongly motivated to play or not.
Cost of secondhand flute and clarinet roughly similar, I think but more expensive than a guitar. Pianos are very much more expensive and need a spare wall in your house.

My DS has played piano since year 3 and has enjoyed it. It has been much easier to learn than violin, which DD has struggled with.

I would advise to check which instruments they continue with at secondary school. Where I live, there is no piano tuition available at secondary level, so DS is now switching to guitar in year 7.

Is there anywhere she can try instruments? Most areas run a Saturday Centre, you can look them up on your council website. Personally, I would prefer them to start on recorder or ocarina rather than flute or clarinet! Easier, cheaper & teaches some note reading before they progress onto something bigger. If not, the only instruments I would recommend are piano or those that come in small sizes like violin or cello! This is because of the possible risk to injury of playing an instrument which is too big