I remember learning the good old recorder at school, my kids had this too, what a nightmare for parents! My daughter also had a go at the flute and violin at school. And my mum had a keyboard that we all used to play on. I self taught myself a few tunes on that keyboard

Mine do piano. They can choose another instrument when they can play and read music proficiently,

my mate had done this. she said that her child wasn’t sure. the music teacher let her child have a little play around with the available instruments and they worked out that she was like a natural on the flute! she blew into the mouth piece correctly first go where as other children didn’t lol.

My daughter ( 19 now ) was interested in the piano from 8 years old and did up to 5th grade then she lost interest . My son started learning the guitar after her and still currently does it at school . We were advised to initially rent your instruments for 6 weeks first as kids can lose interest and if they are still keen then you will know they are commited . A lot of schools have Music as a subject , and that is a good start too to see what they like to be involved in .

Wow so many ideas and selections

I played the flute when I was in school, I found it was s easy and good instrument to learn

I think learning an instrument is definetly a good idea for kids development. I would ask your child if there is any instrument they are interested in. Also see if the school has a band or instrument group that they could join in and learn with their friends.

Ahhh music. It really depends. Maybe get your kid to watch some youtube videos showing different instruments.
In my time I have learnt a few instruments, not a great great deal, but enough. I have learnt the viola, cello, trombone, keyboard and guitar, and drums.
See what your child is mostly interested in first… it will make it much easier when it comes to practising at home ect…

Hi! Well, I can tell you my daughter has always being interested in music so, at 4 years old, I inscribed her to group keyboard lessons, where they where doing percussion too. She loved it. It was a lot of fun, dancing, colouring and learning music. She went for one and a half year.
In Year 1 she could decide if she wanted to play an instrument at school and she said she wanted to learn to play the recorder. She had individual lessons and group lessons at school. She loved it. She played the recorder for 3 all years.
Then it was time to see if she wanted to be part of the school band. And she couldn’t understand why the recorder wasn’t allowed. For her it’s the best instrument in the world!! Well, it wasn’t possible. So she decided to play the flute. But after a year she stopped.
Now it’s two years that she plays the clarinet, she’s in high school, and she enjoys it a lot. She still plays the recorder at home!

In my idea, it’s important to expose kids to music as young as possible. In primary school there were special nights where kids could go and try all the bands’ instruments before deciding. I think it’s fantastic. You can try, see what you like, what suits you better. I saw kids going to that night with one idea in mind, and then realizing they wanted to play something completely different.

Generally the violin is a big hit with kids because you can start very early. For other instruments (like the guitar) you need to be older. The recorder is another great starting instrument. I am sure my daughter could talk all your three kids into it!!!!

Take them to a music store with instruments and see what they gravitate too and with approval from the store let them try some of the instruments.

I have a 6.5 year old and 2x 3.5 year olds

What’s the age of your child?

If your child is musical, have you asked them what they might like to try? It also depends on what type of music they like, what they offer at school (or future school) and your budget.

Our child was playing Cello for a year, but found the music boring, the bowing hard and the constant tuning of the instrument a problem. We now have a brass instrument and the difference is amazing – jazzy music and enjoyable practice. Piano lessons are good – but you need a piano at home and a fun teacher.

I would suggest being prepared to try a few different things – I know a few people whose children tried at least 2 instruments before finding one that they really enjoyed playing.

It helps if you can attend some of the early lessons too – so you know what they are meant to be doing! Patience is important.