People of all ages can and should learn to play an instrument. However, according to Wylie Chang, the earlier someone starts with this, the better. It is true that it can be difficult to pick an instrument for a child, with so many to choose from and your child probably not having much of an opinion yet. But this also means that you can consider lots of other factors, such as the cost, size, and volume of the instrument.
Wylie Chang on Choosing an Instrument for a Child
When you choose an instrument for your child to play, you need to make sure that they have the necessary dexterity to actually handle that instrument. Remember that they have developing hands and bone structure, and that they aren’t very strong yet. This means that a piano may be very difficult for a child to play, as they have to stretch their fingers wide apart. Yet, at the same time, that doesn’t mean your child can’t learn to play the piano. It just means that it will take some time before they can play certain pieces. This is the same with violin. And if your child finds violin an interesting instrument to play, you must always give your best to support them. Make sure to purchase a beginner violin that fits them well. Also look for quality bows like the ones Codabow offers. Children are somehow easily discouraged and needs a little push when learning. When they find themselves creating quality music, it will help them excel in their craft.
It is common for parents to encourage their children to start playing instruments from a very young age. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to allow children to play with plastic maracas, drums, and other such tools. Small glockenspiels, tambourines, and other such options are great, because they introduce the very young, from toddler age onwards, to the concept of creating beautiful sounds. Not just that, it teaches them a variety of other highly beneficial skills, including:
- Visual skills.
- Aural skills.
- Movement skills.
- Coordination skills.
After they start to grow, children will probably start to develop their own opinions and interests in terms of which instruments they like. They will probably start to move towards the more mechanical instruments, which require a great deal more control. If you have a child that wants to play the piano, for instance, then now is the time to allow them to do that. Unfortunately, pianos are very expensive. As a result, you may want to consider investing in a keyboard instead. They are affordable and available second hand, and they don’t take up a lot of space in your home either for when your child isn’t playing. Not just that, they have an adjustable volume button and can even be fitted with headphones to bother you even less!
Children should learn a musical instrument from as young of an age as possible. It is an opportunity for them to develop both artistically and mentally. If your child shows an interest in playing an instrument, or any kind of musical ability, you should nurture and foster that as much as possible. Invest your time – and your money – in doing that, because it is incredibly rewarding for your child. It doesn’t matter whether they pick the electric guitar or the trombone, nor does it matter whether they become a virtuoso or not. It is about benefiting from learning the instrument in the first place.