Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Consider Practical Factors
• Method 2 of 3: Consider your child's personality
• Method 3 of 3: Give your child a voice
• Tips
• Warnings

The ability to play a musical instrument is a wonderful thing. Children are naturally curious and resourceful, and many can pick up music very quickly and develop a love for it. The ability to play a musical instrument and read sheet music will come in handy in the later life of your child. Research has shown that playing an instrument improves learning ability and develops physical and social skills.When choosing a musical instrument for your child, think about practical factors (such as his age), as well as his preferences and personality traits.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Consider Practical Factors

1. 1 Consider the age of the child. If your child is over six years old, you can choose from a wide variety of musical instruments. But for a young child, the choice is limited: only those tools are suitable for him with which he can cope physically. In this case, it would be most reasonable to give preference to the violin or piano. These options are easier for young children to cope with.
   • A piano can be a great choice for a young child to develop basic skills. In addition, there is a visual representation that contributes to the understanding of music theory and music in general.
   • The violin is also a good option. The small size of this tool is suitable for the smallest children. In addition, the violin helps a young child learn how to tune the instrument, which is important for developing musical skills.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   In general, the older your child is, the longer it will take to learn to play a new instrument.

   
   

   

   Michael Noble, PhD

   Professional pianist Michael Noble is a professional concert pianist. Received a PhD in piano playing from the Yale School of Music in 2018. He was a Contemporary Music Fellow at the Belgian American Educational Foundation, and has performed at Carnegie Hall and other venues in the United States, Europe and Asia.

   Michael Noble, PhD
   Professional pianist

2. 2 Assess your child's body type. The body type of some children makes them more inclined to certain instruments. Consider this when choosing a musical instrument.
   • Growth is an important factor when it comes to choosing a musical instrument. An instrument that is too large, such as a bassoon, is not very suitable for a small child.
   • If you choose a wind instrument, think about the size of your child's lips. Small lips do better with instruments such as the French horn or trumpet, while a child with large lips will have difficulty with these instruments.
   • Also take into account the child's fingers. Long and thin fingers are better for the piano than short and small fingers.
3. 3 Choose an instrument that works for your child with braces. If your child is wearing braces or will be fitted soon, this can greatly affect the playing of a particular instrument.
   • Braces will not greatly interfere with a child's ability to play the clarinet and saxophone. In the case of the flute, you will need to adjust a little, but then the child with braces will be able to successfully play on it. Bassoon and oboe will work too.
   • Braces are not very compatible with trumpets, French horns and baritone instruments such as tuba.
4. 4 Be realistic about whether your child can practice regularly. To improve his skills, he must play the instrument for 20-30 minutes a day. Therefore, you need to find a tool that your child can practice regularly at home or at school.
   • Large instruments, such as pianos or drums, may not fit in your home if space is tight. Also, consider the sound. If you live in a quiet area, people may complain about your child playing drums.
   • You don't have to rule out a large or noisy instrument just because it doesn't fit in your home. Find out if the school has a music club or music school near you, especially if he has a heart for a particular type of instrument.
5. 5 Think about how good your child's coordination is. Some instruments are more suitable for high coordination (eg woodwinds or percussion).If your child is not very good at coordination, do not select these tools unless the child is showing a lot of interest in mastering them. For example, if a child really wants to play drums, he can develop the necessary coordination over time.

Method 2 of 3: Consider your child's personality

1. 1 Think if your child is sociable. Children who love to be the center of attention are attracted to tools that outshine others. If you have an outgoing child, choose a tool that suits their personality.
   • Flutes are great for outgoing kids, as flutists tend to stand at the front of the group.
   • Louder instruments like saxophone and trumpet are great for outgoing kids too.
   • Although the blisters will heal over time, some children may avoid stringed instruments due to blisters or even cuts.
2. 2 Talk to your child's music teacher. If your child is taking music lessons at school, talk to their teacher. When playing an instrument, your child may behave differently than at home, and the music teacher will have a good idea of ​​which instrument is right for your child.
   • Make an appointment with your music teacher. Tell him that you are trying to choose an instrument for your child and you want to know what instruments he likes when playing in a group.
3. 3 Consider your child's mindset. Analytical people are better at certain tools. For example, oboe and piano are often good choices for a child with a strong analytical mind. Playing these instruments requires more analytical thinking and curiosity. For children who are less analytical and more socially oriented, instruments such as the saxophone, trombone, and flute are suitable.

Method 3 of 3: Give your child a voice

1. 1 Pay attention to which parts of the song the child is attracted to. Let him listen to music with you. This will help you figure out which instrument he likes to play. Hear what sounds resonate with your child and think about instruments that make those sounds.
   • Listen to a variety of music from solos to ensembles. Ask your child what sounds he likes and talk to him about the instruments involved in creating these sounds.
   • Ask your child about the song. Say something like, "What parts of this song do you like?"
   • After a while, the child may be interested in the instruments that make his favorite sounds.
2. 2 If possible, have your child try the instrument. It can be difficult to settle for one option, especially if the child is crazy about and admires music. Ask a music school if a particular instrument can be rented for a few days to try it out. Let your child experiment with different instruments before deciding on one of them.
3. 3 Help your child learn music. Take him to museums, libraries or other places where music is playing. Studying music will help him understand which instruments might interest him.
   • Don't be afraid to switch music. Of course, children's music is a good choice, but don't be afraid to include your favorite band or artist so that your child will listen to different sounds. He can take over your joy and excitement when you sing along with the Beatles or Beethoven.

Tips

• Don't forget the vocals. Instead of playing a physical instrument, some children may be interested in singing. If your child doesn't like instruments but loves music, consider vocal lessons.
• As they grow older, the child may be tempted to choose a second instrument and become a multi-instrumentalist.

Warnings

• Some instruments are more difficult to master than others, and everyone learns at their own pace and is successful with different instruments. Just because some children can play the flute on the first try does not necessarily mean that your child can do the same. Do not let him be discouraged, but at the same time, do not force him to do what he does not like.