Your Guide to Buying Your Child's First Instrument

As a parent, deciding to buy your child their first instrument is an exciting step! Whether they’ve shown an interest in music or even been inspired to learn an instrument at one of our unforgettable music Holiday Camps, this guide will help you buy the best instrument for your child.

1. Consider Your Child’s Age and Size

Instruments come in all different sizes, so it’s important to pick one that is accessible for your child’s age! 

• For 4-5 years old: We know from experience that ukuleles can be a great first instrument. They're fun, easy to handle, and introduce the basics of rhythm and melody.
• For 6-10 years old: This is a great age for children to start learning instruments such as the violin or guitar. You can also get smaller versions of each instrument that are easier to manage for younger children!

2. What music does your child already like?

If your child already shows an interest in a particular style of music, that can help you decide on what first instrument to get.

Here are just a few examples:

• Classical: Instruments like the violin, piano, and flute are staples of classical music.
• Rock or Pop: The guitar (acoustic or electric), bass, or drums are go-to instruments for rock and pop enthusiasts.
• Jazz: If your child is drawn to jazz, instruments like the saxophone, trumpet, or upright bass are fantastic choices.

3. Consider Portability and Practicality

It’s important to think about how portable your child's first instrument is, especially if they will be carrying it to school or lessons. That’s why we love using ukuleles, violins and guitars in our Holiday Camps so that your little ones can carry them home to practice!

• Super Portable Instruments: ukuleles, guitars, violins, flutes, and clarinets, are all relatively easy to carry.
• Less Portable Instruments: Pianos, drum kits, and cellos are much larger and can be harder to transport. You’ll want to ensure you have space at home to accommodate these larger instruments.

4. Try Before You Buy

Before making a decision, it’s great to give your child the opportunity to physically try out a few instruments. This can sometimes be done in a music store, at school or even at one of our amazing music Holiday Camps! 

But if your child is set on their first instrument, we recommend calling our partners Normans Musical Instruments – an independent retailer that is super friendly and can deliver within a week. They are currently offering us an exclusive 10% off using discount code STRINGSCLUB10.  

5. Find the Right Lessons

Once you’ve chosen an instrument, the next step is to find lessons. Some children may prefer private lessons with a tutor, while others might thrive in a group setting. You can also explore online tutorials, especially in the early stages. We’re currently revamping our Youtube channel, so you can look forward to fun and easy music tutorials uploaded there!

We hope this guide has been helpful in supporting your child’s musical journey! At The Strings Club, we are on a mission to increase the accessibility of music to young people, and have had an incredible summer inspiring children through music across London, Birmingham and Warwickshire.

Interested in booking your child into one of our award winning music Holiday Camps for October Half Term? Click the link here to find the nearest one in your area! 

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