Best Instruments for Young Children

Learning music is a skill that can be fostered at an early age, but what instrument should a child start with?

1. Piano & Keyboard

   Piano is a great foundation that can be a stepping stone towards learning other instruments. All of the individual notes are laid out in front of the player, and it has a visual pattern to the layout of the instrument. Piano skills translate well into other instruments and help children learn basic music theory. Similarly, piano will help children develop finger strength.

2. Violin

   The four strings of the violin make it easy to visualize and correlate the different strings with their respective notes. Though it is more of a complex instrument to learn, young children can pluck out or play simple tunes while learning the fundamentals of the instrument, such as how to hold it, its different parts, and how to care for the instrument. The violin also comes in smaller sizes made for children, making it accessible.

3. Drums

   Children can learn basic rhythms that are easy to repeat from their teacher and practice them. It helps develop a sense of rhythm that can be carried on into other instruments, which is an important skill. Plus, it’s fun for kids to play drums and express themselves.

4. Ukulele

   The ukulele is similar to a guitar, but much smaller, which is more suitable for children. It also only has four strings compared to a guitar which has six. Similarly to the violin, the four strings makes it easier to understand. The instrument requires much less finger strength to produce sound than a guitar, which can be hard to develop at a very young age. It still serves as a good stepping stone towards the guitar in the future, as it provides an understanding of how these stringed instruments function and their own music theory.