Picking a musical instrument can set your head spinning. How do you decide what instrument to begin and when? Just as athletes have their movements assessed to get a perfect fit in high performance gear, budding musicians need to consider a few critical factors when picking out an instrument.
Initially Focus on Why, Not What
Aaron Sizemore, executive director of Music House School of Music (a local program with three locations in Prairie Village, Overland Park and Lenexa) has found that kids who make the greatest gains musically do so because they had a positive initial experience. In other words, don’t stress getting the right instrument right away. Instead, focus more on building positive associations with music in general.
“Music should be presented as the fun, fascinating, universally-communicative medium that it is,” Sizemore suggests. “Let them listen to it, sing to it, dance to it, talk about it, but don't force it. Consider an early childhood music program that focuses on listening, movement, singing and rhythm.”
Programs such as Gymboree Play & Music or Let’s Play Music are specifically designed to offer gentle music introduction classes for preschool children. Families can also find affordable (and even free!) musical appreciation classes through community programs such as library toddler hours and parks and rec children's concert series.
First Music Lessons
Sizemore recommends avoiding any rigorous music study until after the age of 6, noting that there are a multitude of reasons why beginning with piano between the ages of 6 and 8 gives students the most bang for their buck.
Why piano?
“This age presents a crucial window of opportunity, from both a psychological and developmental perspective,” Aaron says. “If your child has a negative experience trying and failing to produce a sound on a physically alienating instrument, that just might close the book on music for them.” Piano delivers the instant gratification of pushing a key and getting a note, whereas woodwinds or stringed instruments have steeper learning curves for quality of sound. The layout of the piano keyboard also boasts the added advantage of providing visual representation of how scales, intervals and chords work, paving the way for better understanding of music theory—an essential skill regardless the instrument a child moves on to play.
One other key benefit to piano lessons? Affordable keyboards can be purchased for less than $200, although there are a few things to keep in mind. Make sure it has at least 61 full-sized, touch-sensitive keys. Weighted keys are better, but touch-sensitive keys are sufficient for beginners.
Moving On … Now What?
At age 9, it's important to embrace your child's source of interest or excitement. Meet them where they are, not where you want them to be.
Sizemore asserts that keeping the flame ignited is key. “It's tragically common for students to be the most excited they'll ever be on the day of their very first lesson. From there, interest begins to wane as reality seeps in until they inevitably quit,” Sizemore says. “Think about how many adults you know who took music lessons at some point as a kid, eventually quit and now regret it. A good teacher capitalizes on the initial excitement and builds on it. Teachers and parents often lose sight of this. They become fixated on technique, specific repertoire and obvious benchmarks of improvement instead of building up an investment of excitement, passion and curiosity. If the investment is made, the dividends can last a lifetime.”
Find out what makes your child tick. What does he love? Pop music? Drum solos? Broadway musicals? Movie soundtracks? “That's your point of entry,” Sizemore affirms. “Start there. All music is connected, and any entry point can lead to any destination, but if you force your child into a door that doesn't interest her, it isn't going to lead anywhere. The most important thing is that your kids remain passionate about what they're doing. Find a teacher or music school that supports and nurtures their interests, and they'll keep learning in ways that will surprise both you and them.”
Other Factors for Consideration
Cost. Instruments can range broadly in price. Whereas a new midline flute may cost upward of $300, a full-size harp may start at $15,000. Renting an instrument offers a few advantages for any new student: It allows a child the opportunity to explore whether an instrument appeals to him long-term without financial burden. Rental also is an economical option when a child is going through growth spurts. Stringed instruments such as violin and viola, for instance, come in a myriad of sizes. A child who hits a growth spurt might need to size up her instrument within a year’s time. Later, once a child makes strides in her new endeavor, consider purchasing an instrument—a welcome reward.
Size. The size of an instrument may carry unique logistical challenges if your child carpools or drives in a compact car. And tootling through town is only one factor when it comes to instrument size. Can your child carefully and confidently carry his instrument in and out of the car on his own? Is the instrument one that comes in various sizes that will require upgrades as your musician grows or is it one-size-fits-all?
Maintenance. Pianos should be tuned annually. Stringed instruments require new strings over time; bows need to be rehaired. Woodwind instruments require new reeds. All instruments require general care, though some require more than others. Likewise, some instruments are more delicate than others. A violin, for instance, should not be left in extreme temperatures (like a hot car on a summer day) nor should it be left out unattended if there are pets and younger siblings underfoot. A child that takes on the task of learning a new instrument should be able to manage its care accordingly.
Lauren Greenlee is a KC freelance writer who enjoyed taking voice, piano and violin lessons as a child.