Many parents want their child to learn how to play a musical instrument. Vast amounts of research confirm how valuable being involved in music can be for a child…. But how do we help our children pick the right instrument? Pick it for them? Let them pick?

We hope these tips will help you make the best choice for your budding musician.

PIANO LESSONS

Experts agree that the piano is a great starting instrument for any age. Beginners experience instant gratification because by “simply pressing a key,” even the youngest of students can make a pleasing musical sound.

Also, the piano is the perfect choice for a younger student because they have smaller hands and are just starting to develop their fine motor skills.

Learning how to play the keyboard also teaches young musicians about note reading, rhythm, understanding melody & harmony and song form - providing them with an excellent foundation if they want to move onto other instruments later.

GUITAR & DRUMS LESSONS

Some musical instruments are more suitable for your child when he or she develops the necessary strength to hold an instrument in place, grows taller relative to the size of the instrument and/or has developed better coordination & independent control of their body. For these reasons, starting on guitar, bass and drums is better suited for students 7 yrs and older.

However, if your 4 year old is really excited about becoming the next Youtube or Instagram music star, arrange an assessment with a music teacher. Occasionally, there are exceptions where certain young students have a natural ability for drums and guitar.

VOICE LESSONS

Younger children might love to sing, but a focused voice lesson that concentrates on technique & style could be confusing for 3 - 6 year old to understand. It also might be demanding on young, undeveloped vocal chords.

Parents should consider starting their budding vocalist on piano in order to build a solid musical foundation. By studying notes, learning to hear melody & harmony, and working on their musicianship skills, children will be ready when its the best time to start voice lessons - perhaps age 7.

As with drums and guitar, there’s no harm in scheduling an assessment with an instructor. The teacher can do a short demo lesson, and the experience can help you decide if it’s really the best time to start.

If your child wants to start music lessons, enroll them at Hawaii MusicWorks in Pearl City. These professional instructors specialize in piano, drum, bass, guitar, and vocal music lessons and allow the student to pick the genre they’re most interested in. Sign up for lessons online, or call (808) 486-8600 to speak with an instructor about class scheduling.