Starting kids on a musical instrument

[stillsleeptraining]

Thinking of starting DC5 on an instrument and was defaulting to piano, but is there a better way than just randomly choosing? Like taking them to a performance where they can actually see the instruments, a music shop or something?

Piano is best.

Sometimes local orchestras or youth orchestras will do children's concerts, and sometimes these will have the opportunity to look at/ try out some instruments close up. We used to do one of these every year with my youth orchestra. Piano is a good one to have for keyboard skills etc, but something sociable i.e. an orchestral instrument/ big band instrument (depending on what's on in your local area) is much more fun as they can play with other people quite early on.
Another idea is to spend some time with DC on youtube, looking at different videos of instruments. There will be introductory ones for kids (I think the national children's orchestra did some), as well as just looking at performances.

I would choose one for which there are nearby teachers skilled in teaching little ones, because 5 is quite young and actually too young for some instruments. Talk to these teachers about their availability and whether they think your child is a good age to start.

For piano, you will need to have at least a good keyboard at home and be ready to upgrade to a piano. Often teachers will insist (rightly) that you have a piano from the start.

My daughter attends a music class where the children start taking instrument lessons at age 5 or 6. At age 4 they have a term where an older child demonstrates playing on their instrument and each child in the class has a turn playing on it. Then at the end of the term they choose which instrument to play. The music school says this method means the child almost always picks the right instrument for them - they discourage parents from interfering with the choice. Most children continue with their instruments into their teens.

It'd be difficult to replicate but I'd definitely try to get some hands on experience with various instruments, perhaps at a music shop and watching concerts (ideally live but otherwise on Youtube). Some train stations and other public places have pianos that anyone can play. If you're in a city there are often concerts for children eg Bach to Baby.

Our music school has a policy of having piano lessons capped at 20 mins for the 5 year olds (they are 30 mins for other instruments). It's physically harder for younger kids as the other instruments can be bought in smaller sizes (eg 1/10 violin) but pianos are all full size.

Definitely try to go to a concert, especially if there's a special children's one which might show off the instruments more clearly. You might not find the right instrument first time but no learning will be wasted. Eg they might try violin first but realise they like a deeper sound and change to cello. Or start on recorder and move to oboe or clarinet. Sometimes you can borrow or hire instruments and most instruments can be bought and sold fairly easily. If you are starting young, some come in small sizes eg violin, cello, double bass, bassoon, others have beginner versions with fewer keys to make them lighter eg oboe, clarinet. Some come in plastic versions to be lighter and cheaper - p- bone and p- trumpet. Have a look at what opportunities there are near you eg brass bands are usually great at teaching beginners, folk groups might have funding for traditional instruments in your area, army youth bands teach beginners. There should hopefully be a council music service of some sort although often they don't start till a bit older.

Five is too young. Wait till about age seven or eight. Best let the child pick the instrument. What do you have available at home?

See what classes & groups are available and then let your child choose. Our school do music lessons where the children form a band, but we also have some instruments at home so they have access to pick & choose what they'd like to play.

Id also disagree that 5 is too early - it's the perfect time for them to start learning about simple rhythm & pitch and developing a love for music!

Do you have music centre locally? My kids joined when they were young and there were sessions designed for reception age up. They could learn tiny violins and cellos, glockenspiels, drumming etc. was a lot cheaper than lessons and meant they saw a range of instruments and could learn the basics.

5 is definitely not too young. Agree that the best thing is for them to be able to see/hear a variety of instruments being played and to see what they fancy. If you have a local music centre that's probably the best way to start them as you should be able to go along and they will be able to advise. An instrument you can play in an ensemble, be that orchestra, brass band or whatever is fantastic for making friends and that shared experience of making music together as part of something bigger is a fantastic feeling.

Classical guitar maybe? Starter guitars are available in half sizes and pretty cheap. They can learn the skill of reading music and be able to move across to acoustic and electric in later years