What Instrument Should My Child Start With?
I hear this question all the time from parents: “What instrument should my child start with?”
That is a very good question!
Generally speaking, students usually start with one of the following instruments (outside of a typical school band or chorus program):
As you can see on my Lesson Information page, the only one of those instruments I do not teach is violin. So choosing the right instrument for your child becomes one of the biggest first steps when you decide they are ready to start learning about music.
Here are a list of buying guides from Sweetwater Music. I use their guides because they are not brand specific, they have excellent customer service and selection, they deliver to your door with a great return policy, and I can connect you with an excellent representative:
That being said, although the selection will often not be as great, it is always better to support your local, non-corporate music stores. The best one in all of Los Angeles is Professional Drum Shop in Hollywood.
Which Instrument Is Right For My Child?
While I don’t teach violin myself, many of its pros and cons are similar to guitar, with a few added challenges. If you’re considering violin, you can apply a lot of what I say about guitar to it.
Voice
Voice is the easiest instrument to start learning about music with. For the most part, we are all born with one and singing comes naturally to us as humans. Singing together is one of the most gratifying activities we can do, and it also benefits many areas of life: breath control, tone, volume management—skills that apply to public speaking, conflict resolution, athletics, and creativity.
Voice may be the easiest to start but one of the hardest to master. It requires total body control, breath management, and the ability to match pitch and sing harmonies, usually achieved through extensive practice.
Is voice right for my child?
If your child loves to sing along with their favorite songs, is somewhat pain-averse, and wants an easier entry into music, voice is a fantastic first choice.
Piano
Piano is another great first instrument. Like voice, there’s no physical pain hurdle to overcome, and musically curious students can easily explore melodies.
Piano offers a structured learning experience encompassing melody, harmony, rhythm, and music theory. It develops fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive multitasking. However, piano can quickly become complex. Students move from single notes to playing with both hands within months, and memorization is critical early on.
Is piano right for my child?
If you or your child value structure and want a broad understanding of music, piano is an excellent choice. Just keep in mind the steeper early learning curve compared to other instruments.
Guitar
Guitar is extremely versatile and intimate. It’s featured heavily across classical, jazz, blues, rock, and metal. If your child is excited by the idea of playing their favorite songs, guitar can be a powerful entry point.
However, beginner guitarists face a real physical challenge: pressing down on metal strings causes finger pain until calluses develop—typically after consistent daily practice for about a month.
Smaller guitars or nylon string guitars can reduce the pain somewhat, but some discomfort is part of the learning process.
Is guitar right for my child?
If your child is motivated by the sound of guitars, enjoys popular music, and is okay pushing through initial discomfort, guitar is a fantastic first instrument—especially given how pattern-based it is compared to piano.
Drums
Drums are probably the second instrument humans invented after voice. They connect deeply to our instincts, make noise quickly, and are highly fulfilling to play—especially for high-energy kids.
Drums are easy to start but difficult to master. Good drumming requires rhythm, coordination, and control, though these skills are developed over time.
The biggest downsides to drums include:
- Lack of exposure to melody and harmony (important musical concepts that might need later supplementation)
- Cost (professional sets can be expensive, though beginner sets are very affordable)
- Volume (they’re loud, and reducing noise often adds to costs)
Are drums right for my child?
If your child is highly kinetic, wants to make music immediately, or loves the physicality of playing, drums are an excellent option. Just remember: drums mean volume, and ear protection is important.
Final Thoughts: Choosing Their First Instrument Is Just the Beginning
Still having a hard time with what instrument should my child start with? Remember that choosing the right first instrument is about matching your child’s interests, personality, and energy level with the realities of learning that instrument. There’s no “perfect” choice—only the right choice for right now. Starting music lessons is about joyful exploration, not locking into a lifetime commitment with a single instrument. Many musicians (myself included) play multiple instruments because their musical journey grew and changed naturally over time.
If your child’s curiosity expands, that’s not just welcome, it’s encouraged!
That’s why I teach multiple instruments: so students who start with one can try another when they’re ready.
The only thing I ask is that each lesson focuses on one instrument at a time to make the most of our learning together. (It’s hard to switch gears effectively, especially in shorter lessons!)
Still unsure which path to start with?
That’s completely normal—and exactly why I offer a free 30-minute trial lesson or 50% off a 1-hour session to explore options without pressure.
Let’s discover where their musical journey begins!
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