Top tips all mums should follow when buying the first musical instrument for their child

When it comes to buying a musical instrument, there are countless options. And while you may know what you want to purchase for your child, the process can be daunting. If this is your first time purchasing an instrument, here are some top tips all moms should follow when buying the first musical instrument for their child!

What type of music do they like?

Before purchasing an instrument, stop and think about what type of music your child likes. While children are naturally drawn to anything with rhythm, knowing this information will help you choose an instrument that’s both fun and rewarding. For example, a child who loves rap or hip-hop might enjoy learning the drums, whereas a child who loves pop music might enjoy playing the guitar.

Most of the time, you can find instruments that are designed for small children’s hands and grip. That way, you can find a guitar for a kid, for example, that has a smaller body, thinner neck, and easy-to-press strings. These types of instruments are often lightweight and easy for little fingers to wield.

If your child isn’t sure about their favourite genre of music yet, don’t worry! You can have them try out several different instruments to see if they enjoy anything in particular.

What is their skill level?

Knowing how well your child plays an instrument will help you determine the age group they fall into. For example, if your child is in the first grade, they’re probably not ready for a saxophone. If your child can play “Mary Had A Little Lamb” on the piano but nothing else, they might need to practice their scales before picking up an instrument like the guitar or trombone.

Most instruments can be divided into two types: beginner and intermediate. Generally speaking, beginner instruments are smaller and easier to use, whereas intermediate instruments can be more difficult to hold or play. If you buy your child an instrument that’s too challenging, they may become discouraged and unwilling to practice.

The transportation

Before you purchase an instrument, think about how easy it will be for your child to transport it. Instruments with a big neck and bulky body can be difficult to carry around, so if the neck is removable, this might solve the problem. However, you’ll need to be careful when your child is playing the instrument because if the neck isn’t safely attached, it’s easy for them to drop or damage it.

If you plan on travelling or moving often, it might be worthwhile to buy an instrument that is easy to break down and store. If your child’s school has music classes, they may also need to bring their instrument with them every day. Because of this, it can be worth it to purchase something lightweight and easy to carry around.

What is your budget?

Prices vary widely for different types of musical instruments, ranging from around $20 to more than $1,000. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s often possible to find decent instruments for under $100.

However, if you have a little money to spend and want your child to develop their skills and passion for music, you might be interested in instruments that cost several hundred dollars or more. Instruments like violins or clarinets can be extremely expensive. If you’re buying a special instrument for a child with a talent in music, it’s well worth the cost to support their passion and help them develop.

A care for the instrument

If your child is interested in playing an instrument, think about when you purchase your child’s first instrument, it can be easy to forget about caring for it until something breaks. However, instruments need love and care just like every other type of item in the world!

After purchasing an instrument, you should teach your child how to take care of it correctly. Your child should know not to leave their instrument in the car or the sun for too long, as this can warp the wood inside and ruin the sound of their instrument. You should also teach your child how to change their strings if they break them and what to do in case they’re unable to tune their instrument correctly.

Some instruments are easier to care for than others, like brass or woodwind instruments. However, your child should always know where they can find a new set of strings and reeds in case they need them.

As you can see, buying the first musical instrument for your child isn’t as hard as it sounds! You just need to think about their skill level, what genre of music they like best, and how much you’re willing to spend. It’s also important to keep in mind the size, weight, and transportation of your child’s instrument as well as how easy it is to take care of. Hopefully, this article will help you understand that buying an instrument isn’t as daunting as it seems!