When the sounds of music start humming in your child’s life, there are many choices of instruments to consider: brass instruments, woodwind instruments, string instruments, and the percussion family.
While some instruments may have physical and cost considerations, children often will gravitate toward an instrument by using their senses. An instrument’s look, feel or even sound may be the first attraction to trying it. Allowing your child to try out various instruments will help them decide what feels and sounds right to them — in addition to considering the other requirements of a musical instrument as noted below.
Mark Michelson, of Arrowhead Music in Mentor, Justin McElravy, from Peter Zaret & Sons Violins in Mayfield Heights, and Joe Gambitta, of Joe’s Music in Willoughby, help us break down each instrument.
Flute
Woodwind family
Physical Considerations
Flute weight: 1-1.5 pounds
Case: less than 1 pound, small and light
Arms need to be held up horizontally to the side when playing
Maintenance
- Weekly cleaning of the keys and monthly checks of screws. • Wipe down after each use.
- Cleaning items: lint-free cloth and cleaning rod, silk swabs or drawstring cloth, key oil
Cost
- Instrument pricing varies depending on brand and whether you buy new or used
- Renting from a music store: $20 and up/month
Interesting facts:
- Flutes have been made out of bone, wood and metal
- Only instrument in the woodwind family that doesn’t use a reed
Trumpet
Brass family
Physical Considerations
Trumpet weight: 5 pounds
Case: 3-5 pounds, rectangle in size
Arms need to be held up when playing
Vibrating feeling from mouthpiece may make lips tingle
Braces may make it more difficult or uncomfortable
Fuller lip muscles make it easier to play
Maintenance
- Wipe mouthpiece after playing and clean weekly.
- Clean full instrument monthly
- Cleaning items: snake, mouthpiece brush, valve lubricant, cloth
Cost
- Instrument pricing varies depending on brand and whether you buy new or used
- Renting from a music store: $20 and up/month
Interesting fact:
- Historically been used as signaling devices in battle or hunting
Trombone
Brass family
Physical Considerations
Trombone weight: 6-10 pounds
Case: 5 pounds (approximately). Larger and obscure shape.
Longer arms help maneuver the moving slide piece
Arms need to be held up when playing
Vibrating feeling from mouthpiece may make lips tingle
Braces may make it more difficult or uncomfortable
Fuller lip muscles make it easier to play
Maintenance
- Wipe mouthpiece after playing, clean mouthpiece weekly, bathe instrument 1-2 times a year, depending on usage amount
- Cleaning Items: snake, mouthpiece brush, slide lubricant, slide grease, cloth
Cost
- Instrument pricing varies depending on brand and whether you buy new or used
- Renting from a music store: $20 and up/month
- Cleaning set: $20
Interesting facts:
- Some of the most famous trombone players were left-handed
- Italian translation meaning “large trumpet”
Saxophone
Woodwind family, uses a single reed for the mouthpiece
Physical Considerations
Saxophone weight: 4-11 pounds, depending on the type
Case: 3-5 pounds, depending on material
Easier to learn than the clarinet
Maintenance
- Wipe down after each use, wipe down reed to get rid of moisture, run cloth through body
- Cleaning items: interior cloth, mouthpiece brush, swabs for keys
Cost
- Instrument pricing varies depending on brand and whether you buy new or used
- Renting from a music store: $30 and up/month
- Reed cost: three for $9. Price varies on quality of reed
Interesting facts:
- It is the only brass woodwind
- Most commonly used saxophones: soprano, alto, tenor and bass. The most popular are the alto and tenor
- A saxophone can be used in classical music, military bands, marching bands, jazz and contemporary music. It’s occasionally used in orchestras.
Clarinet
Woodwind family, uses a single reed for the mouthpiece
Physical Considerations
Clarinet weight: 2 pounds
Case: 3-4 pounds
Works well for children with small hands
Maintenance
- Wipe down reed to get rid of moisture and remove from mouthpiece, run cloth through body, dry mouthpiece
- Cleaning items: interior cloth, mouthpiece brush, cork grease, swabs for keys, key oil
Cost
- Instrument pricing varies depending on brand and whether you buy new or used
- Renting from a music store: $20 and up/month
- Reed cost: three for $9. Price varies on quality of reed
Interesting facts:
- The clarinet was the last instrument to be included in a symphony orchestra
- Clarinet means “little trumpet”
Percussion
Percussion family
Consists of snare drum or practice pad and bells for elementary students. Older students also will learn bass drum, cymbals, and several other small percussion instruments.
Physical Considerations
Set: 20 pounds approximately with case, rather large and difficult to travel with. Only travel with the instrument you are learning at the time.
Standing while playing
Maintenance
- Wipe down stand and bells with glass cleaner, use damp cloth to wipe off drum or practice pad.
- Check screws for tightening.
Cost
- Instrument pricing varies depending on brand and whether you buy new or used
- Renting from a music store: $20 and up/month
- Extra drumsticks: $10; bell mallets: $12
Interesting facts:
Percussion family is the largest, oldest and most diverse family of musical instruments
Violin
String family
It is suggested to begin the string instrument at a young age.
Physical Considerations
McElravy says you have to feel comfortable when you play. The string instrument requires maneuvering a bow across strings and is played by the different hand positions. “The violin is the star, (many) composers write the music for the violin,s high pitch,” McElravy says. “The violin is built on tradition. It,s a fantastic discipline.”
Maintenance
- Mcelravy says there isn’t a lot of maintenance, as student instruments are built to take a beating since students tend to be rough on their instruments.
Cost
- Instrument pricing varies depending on brand and whether you buy new or used
- Renting from a music store: average $25/month*
Interesting facts:
- Antonio Stradivari is a famous violin maker and many have tried to copy his craftsmanship. There are legends about his varnish, such as mixing it with crushed bugs to get the right shades.
Vocal Lessons
Popular shows like “The Voice,” “America’s Got Talent” and “American Idol” have entertained and introduced us to the power and excitement of a person’s vocal ability. The voice is another powerful instrument that students can choose to explore through their school choir or singing group if they do not want to play a physical instrument.
While there is no transporting a case, singers must still take care of their voice and practice as with any other instrument. Singing within your range and singing from your diaphragm are important tools to learn.
“Staying well rested, having good posture, warming up your vocal cords, and having a glass of water nearby are all important to becoming a better singer,” advises Joe Gambitta.
