what is the best musical instrument for a young child to play beside piano?

Question

what is the best musical instrument for a young child to play beside piano
are there any sites to support this

Answer 1

Well as has been said the best is to choose an instrument that the child will enjoy playing. If they enjoy the instrument they will be more likely to practice and get better.

It depends what you mean by best though
If you mean best by skill level try:
-Recorder
-Violin
-Viola
-Cello
*All of these instruments can be picked up by children but will of course require practice to become successful.

Now if you are thinking about instruments that will be best for school applications such as private schools or college then you should look in the category of the "Golden Instruments"
These instruments include:
-Trombone
-Bassoon
-French Horn
-Oboe
-Tuba
*These instruments are the least popular instruments, which make bands and selective groups eager to find good players


*But I Would Suggest That The Child Picks The Instrument!
I experienced playing an instrument in which I had no interest. I had no desire to practice and as a result I never became a better player. I still regret never learning to play the violin as opposed to the clarinet.



Websites:

Information on picking a child's first instrument-
http://www.helium.com/tm/245331/order-develop-music-child

List of instruments-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_musical_instruments

Another list of instruments-
http://www2.siba.fi/Kulttuuripalvelut/instruments.html


GOOD LUCK PICKING AN INSTRUMENT!

Answer 2

The best instrument to start a young child on would be one that they were interested in and could understand. If you buy the best, most expensive instrument in the world, but they don't like it and won't play it, it's just taking up space. Depending on the child's interest, start out with some inexpensive instruments and see what they like. Those old plastic recorders that had a flute-like look were inexpensive, or perhaps a child's guitar (you could get either of those for about $20 or so) or maybe a child's drum set. Age of child plays a part as well as child's personality and interests. Besides the piano, there is the keyboard, and those are considerably cheaper than pianos, and most have buttons/features that will make the keyboard sound like various other kinds of instruments.

Answer 3

The best instrument for a child to learn is one that they are interested in.

Besides the piano (which I've heard it said if you can play piano you cold move on and be successful with anything), you could start them on the recorder because of it's ease to learn. This really depends on their age. If the child is older than 5-7 and depending on arm span they could probably learn the guitar or violin (if your ears can take it) with the Suzuki method. If you're thinking college scholarships, think less common and marching band like tuba and trombone.

good luck!
Marianne

Answer 4

Depends on what you mean by "best" and "young"...and why you want your child to play an instrument...usually people, including kids, are drawn to a particular instrument for individual reasons. Piano is a great way to learn general music theory,and doesn't require any particular physical skill to make noise. Guitar is great but difficult for kids younger than six or seven. And violin is fun and portable. I plan on encouraging drums for my 2 year old, as she enjoys rhythm and dancing.

Most studies show that ANY music study is good for cognitive development. There are conflicting arguments about this of course.

Research examining whether learning to play music improves spatial reasoning:

Hetland, L. (2000). Learning to make music enhances spatial reasoning. Journal of Aesthetic Education, 34 (3-4), 179-238.

Costa-Giomi, E. (1999). The effects of three years of piano instruction on children's cognitive development. Journal of Research in Music Education, 47 (5), 198-212.

Rauscher, R., Shaw, G., Sevine, L., Wright, E., Dennis, W., & Newcomb, R. (1997). Music training causes long-term enhancement of preschool children's spatial-temporal reasoning. Neurological Research, 19, (1) 2-7.

Research examining whether learning to play music improves mathematical reasoning:

Vaughn, K. (2000). Music and mathematics: Modest support for the oft-claimed relationship. Journal of Aesthetic Education, 34 (3-4), 149-166.

Research examining whether studying the arts improves school performance:

Winner, E., & Hetland, L. (2000). The arts and academic achievement: What the evidence shows. Double Issue of Journal of Aesthetic Education, 34 (3-4), Fall/Winter, 2000.

Winner, E., & Cooper, M. (2000). Mute those claims: No evidence (yet) for a causal link between arts study and academic achievement. Journal of Aesthetic Education, 34 (3-4), 11-75.

Answer 5

wind instruments will take your childs breath, so probably violin, viola, cello, something like that.

Answer 6

a flute
because its very easy to learn.

Answer 7

the flute.