Can anyone suggest an instrument for mildly dypraxic DS?

[thatsenough]

DS (age 6) is desperate to learn an instrument like his school friends, but I'm not sure piano or violin (which seem popular choices) would be the best choice as he has poor finger strength and grip.

We are not a musical family, so I have little clue of what would be best but I have been putting ideas of brass instruments in his head - we are still waiting for his adult front teeth and he is getting more impatient as he sees his friends trotting off to lessons every week.

His instrument of choice for the last few months has been a harp! God knows where he got the idea from, but I have neither the money or the space for one.

Any suggestions would be appreciated thank you.

Indigo -- drums??

DS1 is dyspraxic and plays the drums.

However, drum kits are huge, expensive and bloody loud. (DH has 2 of the bloody things and an electronic one, hence DS1 learning drums).

Lancelottie - thanks - but no thanks :)

Indigo - trombone?

Contact your local music service. Their teachers will be the music providers in your DS's school and will probably run taster days where your DS can try every instrument they teach. He will then get advice on which he seems to be more suited to as well whether he can get lessons at his school! Better than spending terms on different instruments to rule them in or out.

Not all schools use the local music service, though.

Ours has pretty much a monopoly run by a local granny who teaches piano, violin and woodwind (possibly not very well), plus a shy bloke with a guitar. They used to use the county music service but found them unreliable.

Mine didn't get on with mega-granny so defected to the local brass band for lessons.

I think you have to try him on a few, but I have had good success teaching recorder and piano to dyspraxic kids. It depends on what he fancies playing, as well.

I and my 2 DDs are all severely dyspraxic. We all play wind instruments - I toyed with the idea of going to music college, didn't, but did quite a lot of professional (ie paid) playing while at uni and in the early years of my career. DD1 seems set for music college. The trick is to not be able to see your fingers. If you can see your fingers it all goes horribly wrong.

Maybe that's why the bassoon is so great then for my son!

Clarinet is a good one to start with and a lot cheaper than the bassoon!

I'm dyspraxia, dyslexic and dysgraphic. I took the violin up at the age of 14. I was told I'd never be able to play the violin because it requires good coordination. 16 years later I have a music degree and I am not a violin and viola teacher working in a private music school. See what instrument your child is draw too. I was obsessed with the violin and that obsession has got me where I am today.