How do I get my 5 yr old interested in a musical instrument (of her choice)?

Question

My daughter is 5 and loves to dance, and we support that wholeheartedly. However, as parents, we realize that dance is only partial without music, and we have decided to let her play an instrument -- our problem is that both of us have had no music (well, my wife had some very basic piano lessons 30 years ago) training, and we have no idea how to let our kid choose an instrument.

I am thinking of bringing her to a music store to look at several instruments she can choose from, but some direction will be needed. And we cannot help, because we have no idea where to start her in music.

We would like her to be able to pick an instrument that she likes. Five yeas old is young, but the younger the better. But I also don't want to force her, too as it may do more damage than good.

Any suggestions on how to give her a choice of musical instruments?

Answer 1

We are a family of music lovers :) both my husband and I play multiple instruments and thoroughly enjoy sharing music with our kids!

We already have a house full of stringed instruments and when our son was born we bought him some percussion instruments (some real, some toys), his aunt bought him a junior drum set for his first birthday (thanks sis lol) and we were lucky enough to have a friend gift us an electric keyboard (which our son ADORES!)

Our approach is to allow him the freedom to try many different instruments around the house, as it interests him. Then when he is older, we will enroll him in lessons on the instrument of his choice (if he so chooses!)

If you just want to expose your daughter to musical instruments, I would suggest the piano. It's sort of the "foundation" instrument. Once you learn to play the piano and sightread sheet music, you have a great foundation you can then transfer to almost any other instrument!

Just make sure you keep it a "fun" activity and you don't force your daughter if she decides she has lost interest. :)

Answer 2

Five is young for her to start playing, but not too young for her to be interested. But it's not necessarily the younger the better, if she starts too young it will be too hard (or she may be too small) and she might get discouraged before she's ever had a chance.

Maybe her school does a concert at the end of the term where the older ones play? You could take her to something like that and see if she reacts strongly to any of the instruments.

Instruments which are often started young include piano (you can play simple pieces without needing large hands) violin (there is a wide range of mini sizes) and recorder (a 5-6 year old can just about reach all the notes on a descant recorder).

Answer 3

I agree with the others that you need to expose her to various instruments. They have toys that closely resemble real instruments like guitars and things.

I would suggest starting with the piano, like others have suggested. I have been playing the French horn for 5 years, and I have friends in band who started out playing the piano. It is much easier to transfer what you learn from the piano to any other instrument your child may choose. There are baby pianos that are made specifically for young children. If you got her one of those, she could get accustomed to hearing it and playing around on it. Once she's 6 or 7, she can start piano lessons (if she wants) and she will already be familiar with the piano.

Learning any musical instrument takes time. And practice. The reason kids get burned out on it is because they want to play songs right away, and they don't want to learn their scales and things like that. If she shies away from the piano, try guitar. Find something she likes.

Or, you could buy her a bunch of percussion instruments/toys (drums, tambourine, triangle, etc). You can guy them fairly cheap at Walmart or Target now. Many Toys R Us stores sell them too! She can start banging around and making music on her own.

Answer 4

A lot of instruments, clarinets, etc, would be too difficult for a 5 year old. With some, her hands would be too small to reach the notes, with others it would be too hard for her to remember which fingers to hold down to get which notes, etc.

That's why a lot of kids start with piano and why schools don't usually start band programs until the kids are in Jr. High.

Kids in grade 5 sometimes play recorders. Some young kids can play violins but it's hard to learn as well.

Answer 5

Piano is a good choice, because what she learns with that can carry over to other instruments later on. Her fingers will be too small to reach some of the other instruments buttons and she'll get frustrated easily.

Just start her off with piano and when she decides she wants to try something else, she can switch over!

Answer 6

I would let her listen to different types of music, maybe take her to a symphony or somewhere where she could see people playing and hear them. Do you have any friends that play instruments ? have her watch and listen to them play, then take her to the music store and let her look and and 'try' different instruments - show her the instruments in books and tell her where they came from, etc
you will soon be able to see which she is most drawn to

Answer 7

wait till she is old enough she mabye learign to read music but not yet. the school will start witht he instruments and she can find one then. she will be old enough. surely dont' pick her out what yu thin kthat isn't right it will come and sit back and take care.

Answer 8

expose her to different sounds of insturments and let her decide what she likes best?
im sure the people at the music store can help you as well.

Answer 9

Well..music helps your childs grades...just take her to loads of intrument stores and see if she is interested