A child can fully reap the developmental benefits of music if they enjoy playing the instrument they are learning. Because if children are fond of, and are passionate about what they are playing, they’ll be more likely to ace music lessons and performances beyond the classroom.

Choosing an instrument where a child can maximise their potential, creativity, or cognitive skills is, oftentimes, a decision where parents take the lead, especially when a child is too young to express a preference. 

However, many factors must be considered when successfully finding the right instrument for a child. 

From assessing your child's interests to thinking about future gains, here’s a guide that includes essential advice for parents on choosing the right instrument for their child.

1. Assessing Your Child’s Interest

Listening to or observing your child’s preferences is the first and most crucial step in choosing an instrument. Take note of how they receive classical, pop, or country music. Do their hands and feet tap when listening to guitar or drums? Do they sway or hum along to the piano, violin, or cello? In a music store, which instrument pulls them the most? 

Ultimately, the easiest instrument to learn for a child is the one that interests him. Find their perfect match by looking for clues in their natural tendencies or responses to music–whether they are drawn towards string, percussion, or wind instruments.

2. Understanding the Child’s Physical Ability

A child’s physical attributes or abilities can also be a deciding factor for parents when choosing an instrument. 

For example, a small child might not be comfortable playing a large, bulky cello and may be more secure taking violin lessons or a piano course. A cello can be larger, and your child requires more strength to play or learn it successfully. You must choose an instrument whose size is manageable for your child. 

More so, if your child is involved in sports or any activity boosting lung capacity, they may find brass and woodwind instruments interesting. On the other hand, for those enjoying crafting, typing, or exercising finger dexterity skills, the piano or violin can be an ideal choice. 

A child’s age and developmental milestones can also help parents identify the perfect instrument for their child to begin learning.

• Early years (up to age 5): Children in this age group are progressing in hand-eye coordination and motor skills. Easy to handle instruments such as hand percussion (tambourines or drums) may be best. 
• 5 to 7 years old: Simple melodic instruments (recorders or xylophones), as their dexterity improves, are suitable for children in this age group.
• 7 to 11 years old: Small woodwind or brass instruments, ukuleles, and keyboards are ideal instruments that align with their developing musical skills.

3. Starting with a Beginner Instrument

The harmonica, keyboard, ukulele, guitar, and drums are ideal starter instruments to learn at any age. Parents and children exploring their options might find these instruments flexible, accessible, and, most importantly, enjoyable. 

But whatever instrument you choose, remember that you have to start with a manageable instrument for your child before transitioning into complex ones. This means they must be comfortable playing rather than struggling to strike the right tunes before taking their skills further on more complicated instruments.

4. Trial Lessons and Rentals

A better way to know what your child likes with higher certainty is by allowing them to take trial lessons for different instruments. Through this period, you can further confirm which instrument/s they enjoy. 

If you've settled on choosing an instrument through trial lessons but still want to ensure your child’s preference before committing to an instrument purchase, you can also explore the possibility of renting instruments. 

Trial lessons and instrument rentals are a cost-effective way to explore your child’s musical interests.

5. Consulting a Music Teacher

Seeking assistance from a professional music teacher can give you all the insights you need–it can make all the difference! They can assess your child’s abilities, recommend suitable instruments, and share personal advice for your child’s musical needs. 

An expert from a trusted music academy can help find the right music teacher. Find a music school that houses handpicked and well-trained teaching professionals for each music course, whether cello lessons, music theory lessons, piano lessons, or other music classes you’d want to enrol your child into. In this way, you’d get a more focused and customised education for your child.

Aside from reflecting expert skills, they must also know how to make music lessons fun, handle children with patience, and be able to share a sense of creativity with them.

6. Long-Term Considerations

When choosing an instrument, you must also apply a forward-thinking approach. Ask yourself: 

“Does this instrument still have a better chance of being enjoyed in a few years? Does it present much room for opportunities and growth, for example, ensemble participation or other skill advancements?”

Being mindful of these long-term considerations allows both parents and the child to decide on an instrument that can support sustained interest and engagement.

Choosing an instrument is a team effort between parents, their child, and the music experts

A simple answer to ‘how to pick an instrument for your child’ lies in a shared effort.

Parents guide young children in the right direction when choosing an instrument or even selecting the best music academy in Singapore to enrol in. They provide exposure opportunities for their children to explore their preferences. Then, the child responds to such opportunities. Music professionals take it from there, honing the child’s music skills. Needless to say, parents are not alone in this process. 

Share your journey of choosing the best instrument for your child with an award-winning school like Music LifeStyle Academy. 

We personalise our curriculum and music lessons to fit each student’s learning pace, enabling us to come up with the best learning outcomes–as proven by the impressive exam results of our students. 

Our team offers music courses for students as young as three and continues through advanced levels. From the basics to transitioning to more complex instruments and music lessons, we would love to join you in guiding your child’s path in music. 

Contact us to learn more.