When kids get excited about learning music they are often drawn to a specific instrument,— but as a parent, should you follow that passion or steer them toward something more practical? Here’s the honest answer — piano is the first instrument for many students of music for a reason. It has the quickest learning curve of any instrument, because making sound requires only the pushing of a button (keys). You don’t need to learn how to hold the instrument, or a bow, or coordinate 4 limbs. The piano also teaches us foundational elements of music such as rhythm, scales, the relationship between low and high pitches, reading both clefs, and the separation of natural notes from accidentals. This makes it a great first instrument even if the child decides to move on to another instrument later on.
However, some people are just drawn to the sound or feel of certain instruments. I, for one, fell in love with the bass and couldn’t imagine mastering any other instrument. So part of the job, as a parent, is figuring out whether your child’s desire to play a specific instrument will motivate them more than the difficulty of starting on it will discourage them. We have to follow the fun and let that be the guide to learning. The good news is, kids are flexible learners, and music lessons are a safe place to try things and see what works. We’re happy to offer trial lessons on almost any instrument, giving your child the chance to explore before committing to a semester of lessons.
Curious to see what the right fit for your kid is? [Book a lesson] and find out — we teach piano, guitar, violin, cello, drums, and voice to kids and adults right in your home across Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy, and Crown Heights, Brooklyn.