Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion What musical instrument for my DS?

Yes, piano is a solitary instrument, so something else to consider. My kids have played the piano since they were 6 and really enjoy it. However, for them it is not a substitute for playing with other children in a band or orchestra. So you may find yourself paying for two instruments (piano and a second instrument). However, it is a great instrument to start with as others have said.

My kids did 3-4 years of piano and then switched to a string instrument later for the school strings program. I've been told by music teachers that it is best to get basic musical training and musical theory on the piano, then to move on to another instrument

My DD10 took up guitar at 6, flute at 9, and goofed around with keyboards and drums in between. She has already announced a plan to add violin once she masters flute, which she believes will be just another year or so (LOL).

I would highly advise you to seek your DS' input. There's too much practice involved in learning an instrument, and you want it to be a pleasure for him, not a chore. In our case, DD spoke up for the ones she took up for lessons.

She'd be a rocking guitarist by now if we hadn't screwed up and bought her a cheap model that played bad (not that we had any inkling of how to evaluate one at that point), with the idea that she'd have to earn a more expensive one by showing some dedication. It turned out to have the opposite effect... she came in with a keen interest, which was partially extinguished by the bad instrument. Don't make that mistake.

I have a different take on the piano as a "solitary" instrument. Yes, it's solitary when learning for the most part, because you practice at home typically rather than in a group. However, for kids who really get into piano, there can be group opportunities down the road - accompanying concert or jazz band, playing in a small group, etc. More important though, of all the instruments you can learn (with the possible exception of guitar), a piano can be an extremely "social" instrument once you've learned enough to be able to just sit down and play - when you're hanging out with friends, etc - you can play. Most other people can't! When people want to sing, you can accompany them. I'm not explaining this well lol... but for example, playing clarinet in band is truly a group experience. Most kids don't continue with concert band in college. Some do. Very few adults continue playing with a concert band throughout their lives - and rarely, if ever, when hanging out with friends or just hanging out at home with family, do adults just whip out a clarinet and play. But if there's a piano around and you want to play, you can play. Other people usually enjoy listening or singing along. You don't have to haul your instrument everywhere with you, but keyboards and pianos just tend to "be" places.

Re what to actually choose for a starter instrument, I'd recommend the piano also (but not because it's a social instrument lol)... because it offers the opportunity to build a solid foundation in music understanding, which will benefit a child no matter what instrument they choose to play later on.

And... from what I've seen (having seen quite a few kids start instruments early)... many kids who start playing a brass or woodwind early on change their minds about which instrument they really want to play when they get into middle school and band/orchestra starts in school.

polarbear

Just to amplify polarbear's solid point about piano and solitude... when it comes right down to it, a lot of musical practice is solitary, anyway. And when it comes to band rehearsals, children with aptitude find themselves bored because they're not learning fast enough (my DD10 complains about this... she also complains that the brass and drums are too loud/obnoxious, and she can't hear herself play).

There's something to be said for playing by yourself, and learning one-on-one.

There's often a piano role in the orchestra for the school musical, and vocal music teachers love having an accompanist in the group, so they don't have to try to direct and play at the same time. My group's accompanist had 30 kids at her house the night before tryouts, so solitary she was not.

Piano doesn't necessary have to be s solitary instrument. The pit for our H.S. Marching Band has kids who play the keyboard and vibraphone. The students who play these instruments usually started and still play the piano.

Piano is never a bad choice. It's a good instruments for understanding music theory. I took lessons for 8 years as a kid and don't regret it. But I never did manage to get either kid to take lessons although we do have a keyboard they fool around with.

Talked to my son and right now he just wants to learn how to play the recorder because that's what the music teacher is going to teach them how to play in 4th grade.

So I ordered two like the ones they will be using and he and I are going to be learning how to play the recorder over the Summer.

Still holding out hope he will want to try something else as well....piano, violin, guitar tenor saxophone (ok, a little too early for that but since it's what I played......).

I appreciate everyone's help and advice!!!

TripleB

After hearing the cello, now that's what DD wants to play rather than violin! It is a beautiful instrument, too bad it's so large. We went to the orchestra concert at her school and one of the orchestra groups had about 15 violins/violas and one cello. The younger group had probably 20-25 violins/violas and 3 cellos. So I can see why they are holding a lottery.

Daughters both started on trumpet because it was what they wanted to play. One started in 6th grade the other in 3rd grade. It really comes down to what the kid wants to play... If they have no interest in piano or violin then making them start with either of those will cause them to hate it and possibly hate music. At that age having them play something they want to play will make everything much easier. The notion that a 8 year old doesn't have enough air to play is BS... If a kid can blow up a balloon they can play a wind instrument.