Musical Instruments

[Elfin]

My son who is 7 wants to learn an instrument probably next year when we have more time. He wants to learn the trumpet but I don't know if I could stand the noise:eek:

Having limited musical ability myself, (learnt the piano and cello for a short time) what musical instruments are best for kids to learn. I am not really keen on the piano and the expense of buying one, so something more portable.

I have read or heard, can't remember which that learning an instrument helps children develop mathematical skills.

Any suggestions?

[kymmy]

My girl is 6 and has the opportunity to learn the recorder next term
This is probably the best instument to introduce music
They learn how to read music, its inexpensive and its portable!
Then they can try something else down the track
That is my plan anyway

[mrsbutterflygirl]

Hey well it's great that your son wants to learn an instrument cause that is what will keep me in a job! (I'm a music teacher)

My suggestion is to take your son to a music shop and have an assistant to shop him and you each instrument that primary school kids learn and let him hear how they sound... then let him pick maybe 3 he likes then you choose from that... the reason i say this is cause there is reasearch which has been done that shows that students who dont choose their instruments have a higher drop out rate... so letting him choose allows him to pick something he wants and there is a great chance he will stick with it. You can always buy a second hand instrument and make a deal with him that if he plays for so many years you will buy him a new one... that often keeps students motivated too....

Hope this helps!

[Elfin]

Thanks for replying :) Kymmy they do recorder at school next year but I agree with you that it is an excellent introduction to an instrument. So I want him to do something else as well.

Last night he said he wanted to learn the electric guitar instead of the trumpet. I was a bit like this:eek:

MrsBG is it possible for younger kids to learn guitar (NOT ELECTRIC)? Do they have smaller size guitars or should we just stick with the trumpet.

By the way we are always happy to a music teacher in a job:D

[mrsbutterflygirl]

Thanks for replying :) Kymmy they do recorder at school next year but I agree with you that it is an excellent introduction to an instrument. So I want him to do something else as well.

Last night he said he wanted to learn the electric guitar instead of the trumpet. I was a bit like this:eek:

MrsBG is it possible for younger kids to learn guitar (NOT ELECTRIC)? Do they have smaller size guitars or should we just stick with the trumpet.

By the way we are always happy to a music teacher in a job:D


He can definately learn guitar... i have a 3/4 size one cause my fingers are so small... and you can get smaller... might be alittle harder to find second hand but they are definately around... i must admit though i am more partial to the trumpet... hehe.. only cause i love concert band instruments. :) ( and they are starting to put guitars in concert bands) but it's great he is understanding what he wants... and guitars are a cheaper instrument...

[kymmy]

Sure have smaller guitars!
I bought one for my girl-about $65 for a quality acoustic

[Elfin]

I think we might give the trumpet a go. He can always learn the guitar later on I guess. He can learn the electric guitar when he has moved out of home:D

They can do a special instrument through school in Grade 3 so before I get too carried away I should check what instruments they offer, but I think trumpet is one of them. Apparently the tuition and instrument costs are very reasonable.

I think it is great for them to learn an instrument and if it helps with mathematical ability then that is a bonus:smiliedance:

[mrsbutterflygirl]

I think we might give the trumpet a go. He can always learn the guitar later on I guess. He can learn the electric guitar when he has moved out of home:D

They can do a special instrument through school in Grade 3 so before I get too carried away I should check what instruments they offer, but I think trumpet is one of them. Apparently the tuition and instrument costs are very reasonable.

I think it is great for them to learn an instrument and if it helps with mathematical ability then that is a bonus:smiliedance:

Trumpets are an awesome instrument well i think so and i dont even play it! but they are pretty reasonable... and it does definately help with counting and things like that in maths!!! oh i love it when a new child starts and instrument...:D

[TinyStar]

I played the trumpet from the time I was 8, and guitar when I was 9. I loved the trumpet because it was more versatile, and somehow more fun. Playing in a concert (or marching) band was the greatest, I met loads of new friends, went on field trips and competitions, etc etc etc (oh and maths was my best subject at school)
I quit the guitar after a year and a half because I was bored.

Good luck finding an instrument for your son.

[jackieb76]

Interesting topic.

My daughter who is almost 7 has been pestering me to buy her a violin. They have lessons at her school on Friday afternoons which I believe are relatively inexpensive.

I have no idea of where to start with buying her first violin and would love any advice. We are not very financial at the moment because I have not yet gone back to work after having my 2nd child. I have noticed that they do sell them on ebay but I am unsure as to the quality although they are much cheaper than buying them from a music shop.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jackie ;)

[InSaneOne]

jackie, in answer to your violin question.

my 14 year old has been playing for 4 years now and loves it. you can get little ones 1/2 size and 3/4 size as well as full size violins. we got (rented) her first one a 1/2 size through the school. we then brought her a 3/4 size one from cash converters. she is ready to upsize again now and we are looking at buying her a new one as they are fairly cheap (compared to the alto sax that her sister learns anyway) the best place to go is to a music shop and get heaps of info. then look on ebay and at cash converters. you might be lucky enough to get a school music teahcer to tune it for you.

good luck.

Easterlily, i think the trumpet is a great instrument to learn on. but encourage kids to think about the size of the instrument that they pick. remind them that they will have to carry it to and from school. flute and violin and clarinet are a few nice and small instuments. trumpet isn't too big either. try to steer them away from a saxaphone or bass. Drums are a definate no-no.

have fun picking an instrument.

[Elfin]

Thank you everyone for your advice, I think we will go with the trumpet although I might invest in earplugs:laughing:

I agree billie&beth that portabillity is very important and the trumpet shouldn't be too bad. I think the trumpet is a much better option than electric guitar:yes:

[tera]

My DS 6 1/2 has been learning guitar for 7 months now. We have a 1/2 size guitar for him and a full size for me (I am learning too).

Just be careful if you are looking for private tuition as I found alot of people wouldnt take on a child under 8. We were lucky when we found our teacher. She said to me at the beginning of the year I start with 4 6 year olds by week 4 I have 1 6 year old. It may be better to rent at first as that way you are not forking out money if it doesnt eventuate later on.

Hope it all turns out well

Teresa

[kymmy]

I am so happy my girl was accepted for recorder group.
She started last week and takes her recorder every where.
She is really into it - very excited.

[Bouncy1]

Do your schools offer lessons through the education dept? My children go to public schools (JP, Primary and HS). The JP's learn recorder then can go on to guitar or concert band instruments (supplied by the department - which is good cos if they go off the idea or want to change instruments you havent spent a fortune) and this continues through to High School. Each of my older children are doing this, started with the school instrument and then I have rewarded a years full practice and enthusiasm by them getting their own instrument. My babies in junior primary are learning recorder, my jp daughter wants to go on to drums (oh joy! :confused: ) and my son would like to do bagpipes :eek: or saxophone. (Bagpipes are not available through the school).

[JnA]

I agree with all the great tips here.


Music theory is as important as the instrument and being able to play it though, so make sure the teacher you get has the same ideas you do about what you want your son to get out of playing.
I can play a number of instruments (some of them pretty well) but I started with an acoustic guitar and clarinet. If it wasn't for the solid grounding I got in the theoretical side of music, though, I doubt I'd be able to play such and array.


You can get an electric guitar but not the amp! ;) (or buy him headphones)

[Elfin]

Thanks guys for resurrecting this thread. I can give an update. The school lets Grade 3 start the violin, but only the violin is offered for Grade 3 and 4 and then a much bigger range of instruments are offered from Grade 5 onwards. I am not sure of the cost at this stage as we get a note home about it in Term 4 but I do not believe it is too much certainly not as much as private lessons. Anyway if you child wants to learn violin they have to be assessed for music aptitude or something like that. So I am not sure about how that would go. Yes Bounce I haven't got all the information yet but I think the lessons are done through the Education Department.

We thought we would try the violin and my son really is keen on the violin idea now and he can switch later on if he doesn't like it. But I thought it wouldn't be a bad instrument to start with and at least he will learn to read music.

Jaderocks, I never knew about the headphones or not having an amp. I think eventually he would like to play guitar so they are good tips. It is finding the time for lessons at the moment as we do other activities.

Thanks for your replies:)

[Bouncy1]

Our whole school got to go to a music is fun concert today. It was fabulous. It introduced various instruments and styles of music to the kids. The children were also very involved with the concert, so not just sitting getting bored!

So anyone whose children get an opportunity to go to one of these (assuming it isnt just SA???) let them go - it might open their eyes to what is out there - iykwim.

[JnA]

One more tip... I have been going to 'Morning Melodies" with Jade since before she was born.. It is soft classical music played by an orchestra. Very inexpensive and a lovely way to spend a couple of hours.
When Jade first started to want to crawl around and stuff I was worried that she wouldn't sit still (it's in a seated theatre setting) but no.. she sits quietly looking at the instruments, watching the people around her and claps at the end! She *loves* it.. and I believe it's a great way to get kids involved in music and appreciation.
Her musical instruments (a xylophone, two drums, a tamborine, marraccas and a couple of bells) are her very favourite toys to play with. She plays with them every single day, she even gets a beat happening on the xylophone, and she loves to sit and watch and listen when I play the guitar or djembe.


I guess I'm saying that exposure is a key element in getting your kids to appreciate and love music of all forms.















(babbling I know, but I love music and music related stuff :) )

[JnA]

oh crud, I just realised what section this was in.

Sorry, I know I don't have an older kid.. but I still think exposure is important! lol

[Elfin]

Thought I would resurrect this thread and let all know who contributed that my son is learning violin this year through school. He was selected on the basis of musical aptitude, physical compatibility with instrument and a few other things. He always get Very High Achievement on his report cards so that probably was a factor. He loves music and his favourite band is Deep Purple:p

He has only had a couple of lessons and loves it. He still really wants to learn trumpet but can do that in Grade 5. At least the violin will be a good starter and he will learn to read music.

I am not sure where this talent comes from, certainly not from me:no:

[Tea Lady]

Cool! I hope he enjoys it :) (And I hope you survive the screeching!! - I used to teach violin.......... it does get better!).

[Elfin]

Thanks TL it is good news about the screeching:laughing: He is just plucking at the moment so I can cope with that:yes:

But I am so glad that he is so keen to learn an instrument as I have read it is supposed to help children with maths:confused: