Before they can even walk, most children have an instinctive fascination with anything that makes a sound, and as soon as they realise they can make objects around them make sounds, there's no stopping them! Although parents might sometimes wish kids had a pause button, the joy of watching them discover the mechanics of music is hard to beat.
And as the children grow and get better with their hands, there's no end to the wonder as Vet Orthopaedic Instruments they really start to show their talents on musical instruments.Pre-toddler InstrumentsFor the very young, simple rhythmic instruments and music-making toys make a good launch pad. Before one year of age they will be able to get to grips with a basic beating motion, so drums, bongos or even a simple glockenspiel or xylophone will inspire plenty of primitive sound-making. There are also dozens of toys on the market that aren't actually musical instruments but do play different tunes when different actions are performed. They are great for introducing pure music to pre-toddlers' ears without other distractions. Of course, they are just modern interpretations of wind-up musical toys and jack-in-the-boxes, so are tried and tested for a century or more.Toddler TinkeringAs children grow and their co-ordination improves, it is possible that they will show some curiosity for more advanced music-making.
Probably the easiest way to start is with a keyboard instrument as it can be played with one finger or ten. A simple two- or three-octave electronic keyboard can be bought from a toy or music shop, and after a brief demonstration from the virtuoso parent, kids as young as four can pick out very simple tunes or just marvel at the random noises they can make. They come in all flavours - monophonic, duophonic or polyphonic, and with different instruments and background beats to play to. (Remember, Mozart started composing simple tunes at five, so if your child has not written their first concerto by six, you're being too soft on them.)The guitar takes a little more co-ordination than the keyboard because the two hands are doing different things, and a degree of strength is required to hold chords down. For this reason guitars tend to become playable when a child reaches about six or seven. Half-size or three-quarter size guitars are no different from full-size guitars in terms of tuning or playing - they are literally just designed for smaller hands.Ten, Teens and BeyondGuitars and keyboards are fantastic early learning instruments as they play both chords and melodies. As children grow into double figures, they could well have been hooked by their musical starts but want to branch into other instruments.
Violins and woodwind instruments can be picked up surprisingly quickly by the enthusiastic child, but if they have a love of anything from the harp to the trombone, they will be able to learn it. Even a drum kit is not the domestic disaster it might at first appear.
Damping pads can be placed on the heads and they will make hardly any noise but allow practice, and electronic drum kits can be played with headphones.The important thing is giving children the desire for music in the first place. And it really is never too early for that - as many a pregnant pianist will testify!