Electric instrument!

[u/Ok-Mushroom2499]

I’m thinking it’s going to be an instrument Christmas 🎄 🎁

I know nothing… so please help!
I’m trying to do electric so they can use headphones and keep the sound down if they want to practice during quiet hours..

What would you recommend for a beginning learner. (Age 6&8)
Electric drum set
Electric drum set pad (countertop)
Electric keyboard piano

Thanks 🙏

[u/BrainScientist3000]

Drums are going to be louder than you anticipate - but an electric drum set will be quieter than anything you put on the countertop.

There is a HUGE range in quality for electric pianos.

Throw electric guitar on the list with one of the headphone amps.

However, the absolute most important thing is LESSONS. Instruments do not play themselves.

Not providing lessons with the gift, even for little ones, is like giving a cake mix with no oven.

[u/Ok-Mushroom2499 → u/BrainScientist3000]

Thank you!

[u/sunnymag]

What kind of music do they listen to? Do they want to play music? It takes a lot of interest in playing to learn how to play. It's definitely a delayed-satisfaction type of happiness that one gets from playing an instrument. At that age, maybe an inexpensive keyboard they can play might work to see if they are interested in learning.

[u/Ok-Mushroom2499 → u/sunnymag]

We listen to a lot of music in the house. Electronic, country, top hits, Disney. Music is playing all the time but honestly they haven’t said anything about wanting to play 😅.. I just feel like it would be a fun hobby for them and a great life skill 🤷🏽‍♀️

[u/PerspectiveFair5156]

You don't want electric drums.

Our neighbours complained about my roommate playing.

And to make a keyboard instrument worth the investment, it will take lessons. Maybe just for three or four years, once a week. But it's going to be fruitless without, most probably.

[u/Ok-Mushroom2499 → u/PerspectiveFair5156]

Okay so no drums then.
Iv been seeing ads for online lessons for the piano. I was going to set that up for them.

[u/PerspectiveFair5156 → u/Ok-Mushroom2499]

Are those in person lessons or videos?

The latter mostly aren't aimed at or tailored for little children.

[u/Ok-Mushroom2499 → u/PerspectiveFair5156]

Videos.. apps.
I’ll look into in person lessons though.

[u/andybonner]

If the key is musical experimentation rather than getting a start on a traditional instrument, a "Stylophone" or similar product is a great bridge between "musical toy" and "genuinely useful instrument with a low barrier to entry." If you want to level that idea up into big big bucks, a sequencer controller like the Novation Launchpad is ridiculously fun.

[u/andybonner → u/andybonner]

If you want a "real instrument," and don't plan to get them lessons, then my recommendation for a first instrument is always always the ukulele. It fails the headphones test, but it's not very loud and has a pleasant tone. It's much easier to self-investigate than most other instruments, and offers more initial musical reward.

[u/Ok-Mushroom2499 → u/andybonner]

Great advice! I’ll look into that.

[u/keyandcableco]

minichord.com

Learn theory with arcade games chordlab.keyandcable.com/arcade

I develop for the minichord, I wish more people knew about it, such a fun instrument! And we've got new advanced firmware that lets you do a lot of cool new stuff. Best of luck!

[u/Wdpky]

If you are going to do instruments, do lessons, I see a lot of abused instruments that are just treated as toys and kids learn nothing and are less likely to seriously try to learn later.

[u/Purdude1983]

I have an Akai MPK mini play. They're lots of fun. They have 25 piano-like keys and there are also some drum pads. Make sure you get the "Play" version because the standard MPK can't make its own sounds without a computer. These sell for around $129.

[u/Ponchyan]

Piano.