What Instrument Should My Child Start With?

One of the most frequently asked questions we get asked at WCMS is ‘What instrument should my child start with?’

If you want your child to have better long-term outcomes, they do need to enjoy what they are playing.

Here some practical things to consider to help you feel more confident in your decision:

1: CHILD’S CHOICE:
If your child is expressing interest to learn a certain instrument, then it’s a good idea to explore their choice. Some options scare parents (loud instruments and expensive instruments are the most common), but there are work arounds for most of these fears.

2: EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS:
If your child is showing musical interest but you don’t know where to start, look for a course that lets your child try multiple instruments before deciding on which path(s) to follow. These are usually done in group learning environments - making them a cost effective trial option for families, too. We offer the Intro to Music Course for those is this situation.

3: PRACTICAL LIMITATIONS:
If you child is small, they may need to start on ukulele before transitioning to guitar, or if they want to learn a woodwind or brass instrument, they may need to wait until their lungs are big enough.

Check out this infographic for more details: