What is the best musical instrument for a child?

Question:My 5th grader is looking for a good band instrument. I'm not a fan of the Clarinet -- yet. What's a good choice? Thanks.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: My 5th grader is looking for a good band instrument. I'm not a fan of the Clarinet -- yet. What's a good choice? Thanks.

the band??? go for orchestra!!! strings r a little harder to play but u get more out of it in the end.. like a lot of hand eye cordination

drums

piano

An electric guitar. At least it's something they can keep playing after they get out of school.

electric guatair (is that how u spell it?) i play it & it's EAZY! LOL hope this helps! :)

There is no such thing as a best instrument for your child. You must let your child choose the instrument (in some ways the instrument chooses the child and not the other way around). The one the child loves to hear is the one they will most likely want to play. Let them hear music featuring all the instruments that are available to your child and let them go with the one that they like best.

the clarinet is actually a good choice.i played when i was in the 5th grade and it really wasnt that difficult to learn.i wasnt the biggest fan of the clarniet t first but the more i played,the more i enjoyed playing that instrument.

Tell him to switch to orchestra. Not enough classical players ;3. But really? All instruments are good. There are no "good" or "bad" choices, because they all come together to make a sound, so, your son's going to blend in with the rest of the players (That's why it's band, not group, or ensemble) unless he's good enough for solos. Let him watch a band (Not rock band, obviously) and see what he likes. He might not always get to pick, either. Sometimes teachers (I'm not completely sure if this happens in band but I'm pretty sure it does) make them take up x instrument because there's not enough players or he thinks he'd be better off with that instrument for x reason, so even if you think he might play this instrument, it might not turn out that way later on.

I have a slightly used trumpet I'll sell you

Tell him/her that Orchestra is the way to go. Of course, ultimately it's up to him, but I'm in Eighth Advanced after playing for two years. I play violin, and can get by on the cello and bass. I also have background in piano, and that helps. Anywho, the point of that lovely rant was to say that ORCHESTRA ROCKS!
But tell your kid that the clarinet is a pretty good woodwind--but that there are many other instruments, like the oboe, the flute, the piccilo, and others.

Brass bands ( basically school bands) are always in need of Coronet/trumpet players. It's not an 'easy' instrument but neither is clarinet (and I don't like them either :o)

i played flute in 6th grade. i took a liking to it quickly and its pretty simple to learn.

First of all, I happen to love band instruments, and I'm not sure why so many people are trying to steer your thoughts to things that don't answer YOUR question!!

As for what is a good instrument for a fifth grader to select, there are only a few choices that would be too mature.
I would suggest any of the following-
flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, snare drum.

I would go by his/her interest, if they are part of the decision, they tend to stick to it better. I have four kids and have told them I would like them to take band- but I allowed each to be in charge of their instrument decision.

As a beginner, all instruments are equally easy/ difficult. If your child is stuck between the choice of drums and a brass/woodwind instrument, I always suggest they pick the brass/woodwind one, because picking up the drums later is easier than being a drummer, having to play a melodic instrument & learn to read the pitches on the staff too.

If they had their heart set on oboe, suggest they start on sax then switch later; french horn:: trumpet; tuba::baritone. These alternatives give them similar fingering systems and music clef.

Also if they want to try a couple out, schedule a meeting with the band director , or go to a music store and ask if they can try a couple different instruments before deciding.

Yea for Moms and Dads who say yes to music!!!!!

- music teacher 15 years, mother of four :)

Ask your child first. But I think piano or drums will do.

Id recommend before making any definite decisions getting a few piano lessons. Because learning the piano is an easier way for someone young to learn different concepts of music including playing an instrument itself as a majority of instruments rely on keys (or in the case of strings, finger positions) that are usually/mainly in the same basic positions as the piano ( as in going in a pattern of cdefgabc one way or another). .. I learnt the piano for about a year when I was quite young (years 4 and 5 ) and now I'm in high school and I ended up choosing singing, but I can pick up a wide variety of instruments and play basic songs after I figure out how to make them play and some hand positions, without any prior training eg: flute, guitar, clarinet, violin, ukulele, piccolo etc.
it just makes it easier to get used actually playing a series of notes in succession while being able to actually see the keys/notes in front of you (different from most instruments where you rely on the feel of the keys (or strings)) before going onto a less basic instrument.

Depends on the Child? What do they want to play. If they really want to play Clarinet then go for it! All instruments have thor bad and good qualities! Some schools have test days at theis time of year. The kids get to test the instruments and see which one they like! Go along to one of them or see if your band teacher has some instruments they could try!