What is the best musical instrument for your child?

Many parents believe that music can be a powerful ally in educating their children. Starting music lessons and playing an instrument for children is very positive for their creative, intellectual, auditory, sensory, speech and motor development. They also learn to express their emotions and interests in a different way, something that can help them to feel more confident when interacting with others.   

Find music lessons

Theodora 1st lesson free (9)10100

Ellie 1st lesson free (1)10100

Ashley 1st lesson free (3)10100

Music education is a fun way to learn and can facilitate learning in other subjects. Especially in the literacy stage, where it is common to use rhymes or melodies to stimulate them. It also increases their ability to concentrate, which is essential in the first stage of their education.

But there are many doubts that can arise when introducing children to music. The first thing we have to be clear about is that we cannot force them, if they see it as an imposition, we can generate the opposite effect. Music can help us if we understand it as something fun, especially at an early age. We cannot force them to play an instrument in their music classes, they should be the ones to decide if they want to and which one they like.

Find a music tutor

Even so, some instruments are easier to start playing than others as they require less complexity to produce simple melodies or rhythms. Small xylophones, pianos, drums, bongos or other percussion instruments can work well between the ages of 2 and 5.

From the age of 6 they can start with something more complex such as the clarinet, drum, violin, guitar or piano. These instruments will most likely accompany them throughout their musical life.

Easy-to-play instruments in children's music classes

We show you in detail some of the simplest and most fun instruments to start playing. They are also the ones that offer the most tutors and if you want you can find music lessons:

• Guitar lessons: Although it may seem difficult at first, once you've mastered the technique it opens up a world of musical possibilities. It is undoubtedly the star instrument of pop culture and mastering the simplest chords can be very motivating for children and young people who will be able to play their favourite songs.
• Piano lessons: This is one of the most common for beginners. Some experts say that learning to play the piano opens the door to playing other instruments. Although it is an expensive instrument, there is a wide variety of keyboards, as well as piano tutors for every budget.

Related articles Why music classes are a beneficial extracurricular activity

There are thousands of different types of extracurricular activities for children that you can sign your child up to, although some are better than others. Music is perhaps amongst the most effective ...

• Saxophone lessons: The saxophone is one of the most attractive instruments for children. As soon as they have mastered the technique and the first hand movements, they'll achieve noticeable results in a short amount of time. There are several types of saxophones so make sure to do research before to discover which one will be most suitable.
• Clarinet lessons: It is one of the most popular instruments in music bands, so children can easily integrate into a group and this can motivate them much more. It's also worth noting that its tonal range is very wide, so it can open up a whole range of musical possibilities.
• Percussion classes: Drums, timpani, drums... are some of the most fun instruments for children. They are very attractive because the basic technique is very simple, almost instinctive, although the complexity takes a long time to perfect. It is one of the instruments for which more hours of rehearsal are needed at home, and perhaps disturbing the neighbours can be a problem. 

There are many possibilities when it comes to choosing an instrument and these are just a few examples. Remember that the more motivated children are when it comes to learning, the easier it will be to instil a passion for music.

Try talking to someone who already knows how to play or to a music tutor. And above all, don't despair if they get bored - sometimes this kind of learning is a matter of trial and error. It is very common to start with an instrument and lose interest, so it is a good idea to explore the second-hand market and not invest too much money at the beginning.