The beat of a drum and the twanging of guitar strings can get the young and old alike, up on their feet moving to the rhythm in no time. Children of a younger age enjoy music even more due to their heightened senses and lack of inhibition.
Music can also play an important role in a child’s cognitive and physical development. Certain children display more than a general interest towards music and parents should nurture this inclination as much as possible. A parent must consider whether or not their child could be interested in taking up a musical instrument.
However, with such a vast range of instruments to choose from parents will undoubtedly be confused in regards to the perfect choice for their child. Certain factors need to be addressed when choosing the correct instrument, such as whether the child has the capability or not to operate their new musical tool, and the maturity to stay committed to the learning process.
Through this article, we seek to inform you of the factors you should consider to pick the instrument that is right for your kid.
How Old Is Your Child?
Age is an important consideration, the older a child gets the more they mature, which increases their ability to manage failure and stand steadfast in the face of challenges. An older child is less likely to be discouraged by trying again and again than a younger child, with a smaller attention span.
Furthermore, certain musical instruments require a child to be physically developed enough to have adequate dexterity for their operation. Pianos are one such instrument; it requires a child with medium-sized hands, and the ability to move each finger independently of one another. Piano tutors recommend that a child be at least 6 years of age before being enrolled into piano lessons, for their own ease and comfort.
It is also important for your child to have the strength needed to operate bulkier instruments. Guitars are large and younger children will find it difficult to balance them on their knees while their small hands would be unable to reach the strings, much less press down hard. A child must have a body size large enough to comfortably accommodate and play the instrument.
Children must be able to maintain proper posture while playing heavy musical instruments. Extended use of these instruments can aggravate back muscles that cannot sustain the weight they are being subjected to. As such, the guitar is an instrument apt for teenagers or kids with larger frames and naturally developed strength, which comes with age.
Other Physical Features
Apart from strength, there are other physical features that can inform you and allow you to align your child towards or away from certain instruments. Woodwind instruments such as the recorder or flute require great breath control, which in turn requires the child to have high lung capacity. If your child suffers from respiratory illnesses, it is best to attune them towards other instruments.
Implements such as the French horn have narrow mouthpieces and children with thin lips find it easier to contort their mouths into the correct playing posture. However, if your child has fuller lips, they will find it difficult to be able to properly operate the horn. Children with braces, or those who may seek treatment in the future would be advised to channel their interests elsewhere as well.
Your Child’s Personality
If your child does not have any physical limitations that impair them from learning an instrument, you should consider whether they have a pre-existing affinity towards a particular instrument. If your child is fascinated by the violin regardless of what city in America you are residing in, be it Dallas or Miami. You can find new and secondhand versions of your preferred instrument and plenty of experienced tutors willing to guide your child.
When a child develops an interest on their own, it increases the likelihood that they will continue to learn and remain committed to the practice. If such a scenario presents itself, the parents’ potential instrument-candidates list is reduced to just one.
In case your child remains impartial to musical instruments and has shown no particular interest in one, they could be on their way to finding the one that moves them. Not every child is the same, some are prodigies while others use music to entertain, and express. Parents should bolster their child’s journey in finding the correct instrument for them. You could take them to a music shop and have a professional show your child around the lilting world of music and the instruments that create them.
In closing, it must be emphasized that a child should not be cultivated towards developing a liking towards any instrument. Their desire to learn and play should come about naturally, which is when it truly flourishes.
