Many parents choose to enroll their children in music, and there are numerous benefits in doing so. But in addition to choosing whether or not to invest in music lessons, you have to pick an instrument. Which one should you choose?
Piano and violin are popular choices for young children, and plenty of kids learn the drums or guitar as well. But is one instrument easier than the others, and should that be part of your decision-making process?
If you already know you would like to enroll in music lessons in Brooklyn, please let us know. We teach piano, drums, voice, guitar, and much more! Our teachers are highly qualified and experienced.
If you’d like to learn more about good instruments for kids, read on.
Also see: What is the best instrument for an adult beginner to learn?
What Instrument is the Easiest for a Child to Learn?
The easiest musical instrument for a child to learn is probably the ukulele. You could argue that rhythm instruments and rudimentary drums are easier, but for the purposes of this blog, we are sticking with common instruments that are often used.
Many music schools offer ukulele classes for kids as a gateway to the guitar. Ukuleles are small enough for young kids, they teach the fundamental technique of holding and strumming, and they allow your child to learn how to play chords from an early age.
Other Accessible Instruments For Kids
Brass instruments, while not as popular as other instruments, are relatively simple to play at a beginning level. The trombone and baritone in particular are forgiving. The hardest part is learning how to “buzz” the lips, form and embouchure, and produce a sound on the instrument, but the larger mouthpiece makes this easier. The tuba requires a significant amount of breath support and should be saved for larger kids – but the trombone and baritone will prepare a child for tuba playing. Furthermore, a trombone or baritone player will only need to read one note at a time, which is not the case on the piano.
Woodwind instruments, like the flute, are a bit harder – the sheer number of keys on the instrument makes the learning curve a bit harder. Furthermore, sound production on reed instruments, like the clarinet, is a bit harder than on brass instruments.
Is it Hard For Kids To Learn Piano?
The piano is perhaps the most popular choice for parents who wish to enroll their children in lessons, but it does take years to master. Students will have to learn the keys on the piano in addition to notes on the staff, and unlike other instruments, they have to play with both hands. The sheer volume of notes that the pianist must read, paired with the hand and eye coordination required, makes the piano a challenging instrument. It is incredibly rewarding though, and if you are interested in taking Brooklyn piano lessons, please get in touch.
How Hard are the Violin, Cello or Viola For Children?
Like the piano, stringed instruments are difficult. Tone production is an art unto itself (we all know how hard it can be to listen to a beginner violinist), and the student must use the fingerboard correctly while also bowing on the correct strings with the proper amount of pressure.
But if you are viewing music as a long-term goal, as you should, your child will find success on their violin, cello, bass, or cello. Just because they can’t play advanced music in their first year doesn’t mean lessons aren’t worth the time.
Truthfully, starting your child on a difficult instrument when they are young is often the best musical decision you could make. Pianists and violinists often learn other instruments later on, and their secondary instrument will probably come very easily for them. Many pianists, in particular, double on an instrument they can use in ensembles, and they are usually very skilled on that secondary instrument as well.
To get started in lessons at our Brooklyn music school, please get in touch. We would love to hear from you and help your family reach your musical goals.
Recent Comments