If you are looking for a great instrument for your child to learn to play there are several considerations that you need to take into account. While you might have dreams of your little Suzy being a prized woodwind musician you need to consider if your child actually has the ability to handle the instrument. Many parents find that their children either do not have the physical strength, or the lung strength to handle the instruments. This can create frustration with a child that cannot play, as well as potentially cause an injury that could easily be avoided with a different musical selection.
If you are certain that your child would be a great match for woodwind instruments you need to look for a good instructor. Finding the right musical instructor for your child will go a very long way towards ensuring that they are actually happy learning the instrument that you select. An additional tip to really encourage the learning process is looking for an instrument that your child will actually enjoy themselves. Picking out a woodwind instrument because it interests you is not the way to encourage your child. You should seek out an instrument that they will enjoy instead.
You need to also look at finding a smaller version of the full sized instrument if you are trying to encourage a very young child to play. Many instructors will begin working with students as young as 5 years old, which can allow your child plenty of opportunity to learn. The importance of finding small instruments is ensuring that your child is able to properly hold the instrument. If they are attempting to hold a woodwind instrument that is much too large they will generally not be able to play the appropriate notes.
As you can imagine it takes a bit of time to really find the best instrument for your child. It will often take even more time to actually find an instructor that is a good match as well. Being patient and flexible in your wishes will help you to really create the perfect match for your child, which will go a very long way towards ensuring that they are encouraged to grow as a musician.
