6 Tips to Buy Musical Instruments for Your Kids
October 08, 2010, By Phil Dotree 0 comments
There are some major reasons to buy your kid a musical instrument. An instrument can be an artistic outlet for kids, and can keep them out of trouble. Music helps children learn and socialize. Most importantly, if your child can become a successful musician, you'll end up in a really good nursing home.
Before you buy your kid a new guitar, trumpet or oboe, though, here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Make sure they actually want to play. Kids aren't going to spend hours practicing an instrument that doesn't capture their interest. Make sure that your kid has an actual interest in music. Talk to them about which instrument they'd like to play. Music usually isn't a passing phase with kids, and even if it is, learning an instrument can still be hugely beneficial. Just make sure that your child's as into the idea as you are.
- Bring the kid with you. You shouldn't buy a musical instrument online unless you're fairly musical yourself and you know what to buy. Instead, head down to your local music store with your kid. Visiting a music store can be very exciting for a child, and if they feel they have a say in the buying decision, they'll likely be much more interested in the instrument.
- Visit several music stores. If you live in an area with a few music stores, it's important to look around because prices are going to vary a lot. Looking at the instruments in a few stores can help you understand pricing, and you'll probably end up trusting one store over the others. That's important because eventually you're going to need music lessons for your kid, and maybe the occasional repair. Music stores usually offer these services, so find a good one that you can keep going back to.
- Don't pay the price on the price tags. Music stores usually put the list price of instruments on price tags, and they expect you to barter a bit. If you're not into bartering, just bring your smart phone along or write down the model numbers of the instruments that you're considering. Look them up on Google later and check popular music websites such as MusiciansFriend to see what you should really be paying. Any music store worth its salt will at least match the prices offered by its competitors, so a few minutes of Internet research could save you $100 or more. You're always free to barter after you've searched, too--you might end up with a really good instrument for your kid at a criminally low price.
- Know what you're looking for. If you don't know much about musical instruments, bring along a friend who does, or look online for tips for evaluating the instrument before you head to the store. Instruments for young children will usually be poorly made compared with those built for adults. If you have an older child, have them research the instrument before you hit the stores. Learning about the differences between instruments is an important skill for all musicians.
- Don't immediately set up a practice schedule. You should make your kids practice, but wait a few days before you start. Give the kid time to play with the instrument first; try to get them excited about learning before you start hammering musical terms and scales into their tiny heads. This is especially important with an instrument like the guitar, drums or piano, as these instruments are a great time even when a child doesn't know how to play them.
A kid will want to learn if they think it's their idea. If you keep this in mind, you'll do fine. Oh, and pick up some earplugs while you're at the music store. You're going to need them for the next few years.
