For parents
Helping your child(ren) choose what instrument is right for them can be really confusing! There are so many factors: are there instruments that your family already has at home that are ready for your child to play? Will they like the instrument that they choose? How expensive will it be to rent/buy? How many hours a week will they need to practice?
Helping your child(ren) choose what instrument is right for them can be really confusing! There are so many factors: are there instruments that your family already has at home that are ready for your child to play? Will they like the instrument that they choose? How expensive will it be to rent/buy? How many hours a week will they need to practice?
The first thing to remember is how AMAZING music is for your child's brain! Even if they only play for a few years, music has been proven to help with their Social/Emotional Learning just as much as their Academic learning. Attributes like teamwork, pride in work, and hard work are all developed in music classrooms alongside eighth notes and rests.
The first thing to remember is how AMAZING music is for your child's brain! Even if they only play for a few years, music has been proven to help with their Social/Emotional Learning just as much as their Academic learning. Attributes like teamwork, pride in work, and hard work are all developed in music classrooms alongside eighth notes and rests.
The second thing is to listen to your child's teacher. Each district has their own way of assigning instruments and who gets to play what. Your child's teacher will be able to help explain your town's protocols and how the selection process works. Also, keep in mind that sometimes students will start on one instrument and then transition to another when they're older. If your child has a disability that isn't mentioned on this site, work with your teacher to find some modifications for the instrument that your child would like to play.
The second thing is to listen to your child's teacher. Each district has their own way of assigning instruments and who gets to play what. Your child's teacher will be able to help explain your town's protocols and how the selection process works. Also, keep in mind that sometimes students will start on one instrument and then transition to another when they're older. If your child has a disability that isn't mentioned on this site, work with your teacher to find some modifications for the instrument that your child would like to play.
Check out the video below to hear more about how you can best support your child through the process of instrument selection:
Check out the video below to hear more about how you can best support your child through the process of instrument selection:
Your child's physical characteristics
Your child's physical characteristics
If your child wants to play flute or trombone, their arm should be at least 19 inches (from armpit to first knuckle). If their arm is not yet 19 inches long, they can still play the instrument! They might just need a special attachment to help them play the instrument.
If your child wants to play flute or trombone, their arm should be at least 19 inches (from armpit to first knuckle). If their arm is not yet 19 inches long, they can still play the instrument! They might just need a special attachment to help them play the instrument.
If your child wants to play a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass), they are available in fraction sizes (like 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4). You can visit THIS SITE to help learn how to measure your child's arms/torso to learn what size they'll need when they start. (Note: violas are measured in inches, like 13" or 15")
If your child wants to play a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass), they are available in fraction sizes (like 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4). You can visit THIS SITE to help learn how to measure your child's arms/torso to learn what size they'll need when they start. (Note: violas are measured in inches, like 13" or 15")
Your child's pitch sensitivity
Your child's pitch sensitivity
Pitch sensitivity refers to the ability to hear different pitches (notes) and how they relate to one another. For example, imagine hearing one note, and then hearing another, different note. Having a high pitch sensitivity means that it's easier for you to tell if the second note was higher or lower than the first note. Sounds easy, but it can get pretty hard! You can try taking the test yourself, by clicking HERE.
Pitch sensitivity refers to the ability to hear different pitches (notes) and how they relate to one another. For example, imagine hearing one note, and then hearing another, different note. Having a high pitch sensitivity means that it's easier for you to tell if the second note was higher or lower than the first note. Sounds easy, but it can get pretty hard! You can try taking the test yourself, by clicking HERE.
There are also some instruments that children with a higher degree of pitch sensitivity have an easier time starting and are more successful earlier (including oboe, bassoon, french horn, trombone, tuba, and timpani). If your child does NOT have a high degree of pitch sensitivity, it doesn't mean that they won't be successful; they will just have to work a bit harder to develop their ears!
There are also some instruments that children with a higher degree of pitch sensitivity have an easier time starting and are more successful earlier (including oboe, bassoon, french horn, trombone, tuba, and timpani). If your child does NOT have a high degree of pitch sensitivity, it doesn't mean that they won't be successful; they will just have to work a bit harder to develop their ears!