Anonymous wrote:My 9-year-old really loves music (listening and singing) and definitely has good rhythm and pitch. He would like to learn a musical instrument, but is unsure which one. One day he might say drums, another day guitar, another day who knows.

Can anyone recommend a class or camp that allows a kid to try different instruments and see which one feels good or appeals to him? Like a musical instrument sampler class? I tried searching the websites of the Levine School and also Bach to Rock, but they all seem to assume that the kid knows which instrument he wants to study. We are in NW DC but would also travel to close-in Maryland.

Thanks for any tips!

I'd consider starting with piano. I did that with my kids... Didn't ask, just told them they get two years of piano, and then if they like they can switch. Piano is such a good beginner instrument (except for the upfront investment in the instrument of course. We got around that a bit by buying a good digital piano, but still, it was $1000.) But piano is great for learning to read and understand music.

Though I make it sound like I forced it on them, I didn't get any resistance, because both like music. I wouldn't be making them do it if they hated it. (Though I do have to encourage practicing, and help them through it sometimes. It wouldn't happen without my input, at least w/ my second.)

Most tuba/bass/bari sax/ etc. players have one at school (the school's instrument, so that one's free) and another at home that they rent/own. That way you don't have to lug it around.

And yes, they do make tuba backpack cases.

OP here again--thanks for all the feedback. He did the Kennedy Center petting zoo on a field trip when he was younger, but I don't think it gave enough hands-on time to really make an informed decision. Bach to Rock offered us an option of a couple of lessons with a teacher who knows multiple instruments, so we will do that and see if anything clicks for him.

As for carrying a cello, there are no lessons at our school, so it won't be a problem. I'm more worried that he will choose drums and we will have to listen to them a lot....

Thanks again!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child walks to school and you intend for that to continue, don't pick cello.

I'm the PP who mentioned cello and we do walk to school everyday. When they are 9-11, they only use a 1/2 cello. It weighs about 5 lbs. My DD (who weighs 59 lbs) can carry it to school by herself along with her backpack. You can take cellos on the bus in FCPS.

Bass is a different story.

Actually, it depends on the bus/school. I have kids at 2 different elementary schools. One allows cellos on the bus but the other does not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child walks to school and you intend for that to continue, don't pick cello.

I'm the PP who mentioned cello and we do walk to school everyday. When they are 9-11, they only use a 1/2 cello. It weighs about 5 lbs. My DD (who weighs 59 lbs) can carry it to school by herself along with her backpack. You can take cellos on the bus in FCPS.

Bass is a different story.

There are also backpack cello cases. I don't know about tuba.

Anonymous wrote:If your child walks to school and you intend for that to continue, don't pick cello.

I'm the PP who mentioned cello and we do walk to school everyday. When they are 9-11, they only use a 1/2 cello. It weighs about 5 lbs. My DD (who weighs 59 lbs) can carry it to school by herself along with her backpack. You can take cellos on the bus in FCPS.

Bass is a different story.

Or the tuba

If your child walks to school and you intend for that to continue, don't pick cello.

The Kennedy Center does instrument petting zoos sometimes with their performances for young audiences. I know it sounds kind of odd, but there are volunteers who help the child with each instrument (strings and band) and then clean the instrument between each child. They give the child plenty of time to try to make sounds, especially on the horns. When do instrument lessons start at your kid's school? Ours started in 3rd grade with violin.

If you don't find a class this semester, you might want to check out summer camp options for this. In the past I've seen the sampler type camps, but not the classes so much.

I don't know what school system you are in, but Arlington does an event every year where kids your child's age are invited to come down and try a bunch of instruments, mouthpieces, etc. Not sure when it is but it's coming up.

I just walked in. We went to the Springfield store, but I'm sure the others will do the same. They can be busy at times on the weekend, so you might want to go when they open or after school or call and ask for a time when they aren't busy.

OP here. Thank you for the suggestion. Which location did you visit with your daughter? Did you call first or just walk in?

I took DD down to Music and Arts and the sales person was nice enough to let DD hold and feel each of the strings we were considering. We weren't looking at winds, percussion or piano b/c they don't offer those at school right now. But, M&A has piano keyboards sitting around and some drums.

I knew DD wouldn't like violin b/c of the way you have to cock your neck and hold it still the whole time. She is particular about how things feel. I figured she'd like cello b/c it sits in front of you when being played and she would be able to see all the parts well while she played. She did in fact pick cello.

Piano is the obvious first instrument... but I think it's important to consider your kid's personality and how that fits with the physical aspects of playing a particular instrument. Touch and feel is the best way. (BTW, a beginning cello player is very easy on the ears... not sure about other instruments.)

My 9-year-old really loves music (listening and singing) and definitely has good rhythm and pitch. He would like to learn a musical instrument, but is unsure which one. One day he might say drums, another day guitar, another day who knows.

Can anyone recommend a class or camp that allows a kid to try different instruments and see which one feels good or appeals to him? Like a musical instrument sampler class? I tried searching the websites of the Levine School and also Bach to Rock, but they all seem to assume that the kid knows which instrument he wants to study. We are in NW DC but would also travel to close-in Maryland.

Thanks for any tips!