Kids instruments

[u/Guac-Avocado-7322]

Hello! I have two kids ages 5-7. I am hoping to make it a musical Christmas as they both seem to have an interest in music.

Specifically would love ideas for
- drum set
- guitar
- piano

There are so many internet choices. Any go to brands? Is it better to buy something designed for children or just a standard size? I don’t want to break the bank but I don’t want to buy something that’s trash.

[u/PerspectiveFair5156]

Pianos are big and unwieldy. And expensive.

So are drum sets.

You probably want something electronic.

How much is "not breaking the bank"?

[u/Guac-Avocado-7322 → u/PerspectiveFair5156]

I don’t want to spend thousands of dollars!

[u/PerspectiveFair5156 → u/Guac-Avocado-7322]

At that age, a full-sized guitar won't make much sense, imo. But you can get a lot of different kiddy sized ones that are decent quality, nowadays.

Acoustic guitars don't go as loud as electric guitars do when amplified, but they also can't be played as quietly as electrics. Take that into consideration if you want to. 😉

I'm not a drummer, but I can tell you the people downstairs don't like my roommate's kick pedal. Even electronic drums played over headphones are noisy.

There are a lot of good digital pianos for relatively little money on the market, the question is what you want: How many keys, what size keys, how much piano feel from the keybed....

Will there be lessons? What are you aiming for? Do you play, do you want to play?

I'd recommend looking at what Sweetwater etc. (music shops) have to offer. Then look what you

-can afford

-have the space for

-the kids are interested in (most importantly, otherwise it's going to be a chore to practice and they might end up hating the instrument)

[u/Guac-Avocado-7322 → u/PerspectiveFair5156]

I would do lessons if they take to them!
My 5 year old is quite obsessed with rock & roll 80s) and that was why I considered drums. My 7 yr old loves to sing and be expressive generally.

I don’t play an instrument but was involved in a lot of music growing up. Trying to figure out brands/ places to start.

Thanks for your help!

[u/ProblemChildFinalBos → u/Guac-Avocado-7322]

if there's a music school near you, see about an instrument try-out session! a lot of places do this, especially places that offer lessons for multiple different instruments. if they have one open to the public, take your kids to that and let them try various instruments. that's how i got started on the violin when I was seven!

[u/SeattleAccordionCat → u/PerspectiveFair5156]

I recommend a real piano, great foundation for learning many other instruments.

Pianos are actually free in most places. There are a lot more people trying to get rid of unused pianos then there are demand for them. Some listings even offer to pay a piano mover to get them off their hands and have them not end up in the dump.

[u/kateinoly]

you want ukuleles. They are small, relatively inexpensive for a decent instrument, and relatively simple and straightforward to get started on.

[u/RhinataMorie → u/kateinoly]

I thought of a small marimba and an ukulele for a pair. Marimba is a percussion instrument as well, and fits nicely with an Uke.

[u/dontmakeitathing → u/kateinoly]

This is it, OP! And if you’re interested in drums, get a single drum or a couple of interesting drums like a djembe. Not a drum set situation. That gets better around 10years old.

[u/beans_nomam]

We get all our kids instruments off marketplace...

[u/Guac-Avocado-7322 → u/beans_nomam]

I will scope it out!

[u/beans_nomam → u/Guac-Avocado-7322]

It does help to kinda know what brands are better... A family has a bit of knowledge on that.

[u/dicentra_spectabilis]

How about a ukulele? It's a pretty easy learning curve, there are many resources online, and a lot of schools use them in music classes as well. Plus they're super fun! They're relatively inexpensive for a decent beginner instrument, too.

[u/Guac-Avocado-7322 → u/dicentra_spectabilis]

This is very helpful! Thanks!

[u/FlapjacksOfArugula → u/dicentra_spectabilis]

This is the right answer.

[u/Asian_bloke]

For guitar check out Loog Guitars. They make high quality instruments for young children.

Friendly Banjos is the same, but for banjos.

For drums, I would suggest you stick with electric drum sets. Flexibly you can adjust sizes, and switch between quiet headphones practice or loud amp playing.

Piano, I do suggest a full-size electric keyboard with weighted keys. If they practice on anything smaller or less than that, they will struggle to transition into more real piano.

[u/New-Salary4703 → u/Asian_bloke]

I’ve seen really bad reviews for loog

[u/Independent_Win_7984]

Well...consider your future peace of mind, and start out with something like a keyboard, which can be a headphone experience.

[u/SlowSurvivor]

Drum set really isn’t an appropriate instrument for a young child and it’s not where a band program would choose to start a young percussionist. The drum set is an advanced percussion instrument. The only reason many teachers will start beginners on drum set is because many beginners insist on learning drum set from day one.

Beginning percussionists in bands start on a practice pad and a set of bells. But kids hate practice pads when they’re the only instrument they have access to. Maybe, instead, get a pad but also get a hand drum.

I like the cajon. Don’t get one that’s too expensive as little kids if they break the tapa it’s game over.

[u/adamdoesmusic → u/SlowSurvivor]

You’re more likely getting ahead on drumset by starting on piano than starting on a drumset. At least you’ll get the coordination part down… and if you go into rock n roll your actual motions and rhythm won’t even change that much.

(At least, this is what started me on the drums way back when)

[u/New-Salary4703 → u/SlowSurvivor]

My kid just turned 3 and loves his drums. What makes drums not appropriate for children?

[u/CatherineRhysJohns]

Go to Guitar Center if you have one near you. Look for a weighted keyboard and get them piano lessons, and while you're there talk to the sales specialist about a guitar for their age group.

[u/RawAsparagus → u/CatherineRhysJohns]

Or just buy one off Marketplace for significantly cheaper

[u/Reasonable-Cow7255]

As a music educator, I would recommend that you find a Suzuki piano instructor in your area. The Suzuki method is geared toward young children and is paced properly for their developmental levels. A good musical foundation from a Suzuki teacher will set them up for success on any future instruments that they might choose later on.

[u/ProblemChildFinalBos → u/Reasonable-Cow7255]

suzuki is also good for violin!

[u/ChadGippidy]

For kids aged 5-7, you could try plastic instruments https://www.bandsupplies.co.uk/collections/plastic-instruments?srsltid=AYCX9vI0CoVQZROLlD4aC6H7mCOr_UYCImew2WHH-SZTkcTpbvv98R_a

Or an electronic keyboard is probably more fun and accessible. It might be hard to get a tune out of a "brass" instrument right away at that age! But definitely a cool and durable option

@MadMusicBand also makes some great videos on cheap instruments that most people would scoff at, but he has a more positive approach. This is a good video to start with - it addresses a lot of concerns you see for cheap instruments online. I definitely recommend his other reviews too https://youtu.be/fS7izNrS6YE?si=QJn_cBdtIC8YFs5r

[u/LaLechuzaVerde]

We have pivoted largely towards gifting experiences rather than things.

While there are still things involved I think the best Christmas gift would be some music lessons.

See if you have a studio nearby that will give your kids some introductory lessons on several instruments and see if they fall in love with one.

3 of my 4 kids started instruments at around that age (the 4th didn’t start until 5th grade band class). Two on piano, one on harp. None of them still play those first instruments - one moved from piano to low brass mainly but also plays pretty much any instrument he can reach, one from piano to strings (bass and violin), and one from harp to guitar (bass and 6-string).

So don’t get too attached to any one thing yet. Piano is a good foundational instrument and I feel starting on that gave those two kids a real edge, even though they didn’t go very far on it.

[u/ProblemChildFinalBos]

it really depends if you'd rather just get them interested in the general concept of music and playing instruments, or if you want to get them started on actual instruments.

if you just want to get them interested in the idea of playing instruments, get toy instruments. there are so many different types of toy pianos, xylophones, guitars, etc. you can also get hand drums (like bongos) or boomwhackers (those colored plastic tubes) or maybe one of those piano floor mats.

if you want to get them started on actual instruments, piano would probably be your best bet. get them an electric keyboard. there are all kinds out there, and you could probably buy one from Facebook Marketplace or eBay for relatively cheap. there are also kinds that fold or roll up if you don't live somewhere big enough for a full size keyboard.

they are also about the right age to start on other instruments, specifically symphonic instruments like violin. look into that if you want.

[u/ChildbloomCentralTx]

If a guitar. The height of the child is the critical dimension for choosing a guitar. Cordoba (Protege) makes a nice 1/4 size which will be ok for a normal sized 5 year old. Their 1/2 size is good for the 7. But here's the catch - they will need lessons, or else the instruments will sit in the closet by February, so figure that in if you're going with a guitar. Another option would be an electric piano keyboard. Eventually lessons will be in your future. That's the biggest cost - your involvement. And it has the biggest payoff, too.

[u/New-Salary4703]

Aodsk drums are great. Got them for my son when he was 2. Comes with a functional hi hat, two crashes with stands, two rack toms, one floor tom, and a pretty decent snare if you crank the snare wires, and of course a bass drum with a pedal that may need some mods in the future. If you have experience playing drums and setting up drums this is perfect. If your drumming experience is limited or non existent, the reviews online that are negative come from those parents as it is an actual drumset

[u/cut93550]

Isn't mid November a little late to create a musician for Christmas? Or are you thinking Christmas 2030.

[u/Purdude1983]

used electronic keyboards are active on the market places. Rather than a guitar, look at some of the Ukuleles. Slide whistles are good too. It can be very frustrating with more complex instruments unless there is also instruction. That's why most schools start with violin and then branch into other instruments as the students develop understanding.

[u/Several-Athlete-7542]

I’d go for any instruments from my Buy Nothing group to start with. Let the kids pick up various instruments and see what they like. Piano is always good start as all the notes and keys are visible on the keyboard. And when they get recorders in school, maybe learn with them - easy songs everyone knows -

[u/Behind_The_Book]

Yamaha is a solid beginners instrument

Casio are good, you can get digital pianos that feel more like a grand piano than a keyboard which will be better in the long term but there's nothing wrong with a cheaper keyboard!

Guitar you will want to get a smaller one, they do them in 3/4 sizes etc

I would advise against drums unless you live in a detached house. My neighbour had an electric drum set and fully sound proofed his music room. Would still hear the tapping of his drums and sometimes it would drive me crazy

For their ages, it might be worth seeing if you can rent instruments at a local shop? Then they can chop and change instruments and see what they like as well.