Finding the right musical instrument for your child

A full-sized symphony orchestra is made up of more than ninety musicians who play musical instruments across four different sections – strings, woodwind, brass and percussion. Together these instruments create an extraordinary range of sounds and colours, and that’s without including the piano, guitar, saxophone and voice.

So when a child has the opportunity to choose a musical instrument, how do they know which one to pick? Research has shown that when children personally choose their instrument, they are far more likely to continue learning it in the long term.

Of course, need to consider the practicalities – the price of the instrument, its size, and whether it suits the child’s physique, to name just a few. However, the most important question to consider is simple: when a child hears the different instruments, which one produces their favourite sound?

The sound qualities of instruments vary greatly, and they differ dramatically in the volume they produce. Some instruments create a rich or mellow sound, while others are brighter or more shrill. Each instrument therefore has its own unique character, even before children begin exploring musical repertoire.

For this reason, one of the best ways to help a child choose an instrument is simply to let them listen — and notice which sound captures their imagination. In the next post, we’ll explore the different orchestral families and look more closely at the instruments within them.