Another vote for piano - for all the reasons previously cited and because I believe it to be the best foundation for anything your child might want to do musically in the future.

I'm also a HUGE proponent of the choir. Being in a choir teaches performance skills, builds a social network, trains the ear, teaches teamwork, etc...

Start with piano and let him switch around 6th grade.

Choir and piano.

You can start piano right now, with the Suzuki method (at Levine Music or or the International School of music, both good schools), but choir will have to wait until second grade, with the Washington Children's Chorus or the Strathmore Children's Chorus, the best kids' choruses in the area.

My inattentive ADHD son with a fine motor disability should have played the piano as therapy for increasing his coordination. He had too much catching up to do in other areas, however, so we did not do so, but he has been singing with Strathmore for years and it's been a wonderful experience. Singing with SCC has led to other singing opportunities - he was selected to sing in the kids' choir of an opera at Wolf Trap, for example.

As a musician, I can tell you that no other instrument really addresses motor ability as well as the piano, with as much musical forgiveness. Press any key, and the correct tone is already there, whereas the strings require rigorous memory to remember exactly where your finger is supposed to press (there are no markers), and the woodwinds need carefully crafted mouth positions. Unlike some other musical instruments, piano encourages good symmetrical posture and the most equal use of both hands.

The Suzuki method is the best for children who need special attention, because its philosophy is that the parent is an integral part of the child's musical development, just as much as the teacher. So the parent is required to go to an introductory workshop to understand the basis of the method, and then to attend each lesson and take notes, so that the parent can guide their child at home. It works very well, however the parent has to make time for this.

Later on, he can switch to the clarinet, which is a beautiful instrument and easier than other woodwinds.

Sorry, both clefs not both octaves

Recommendation for piano- it teaches both octaves and there is a whole bunch of cross lateral body movement going on. Teaches scales more visually in a way that other instruments don’t. When/if you switch to another instrument, there will be a lag because they will know how to read music, but won’t know fingerings yet.

Cello and violin- excellent for ear tuning, but steeper learni g curve. Warning that cats don’t like it.

I think baritone uke has similar strings to guitar so kids transition easily to guitar from uke.

Ukelele

Maybe cello? As a violin player with a DD taking cello lessons, I think it’s a little easier than violin. It’s easier to hold, and the bow hold is easier. Some teachers may say that 5 is a little young but you may be able to find group cello classes if you check the larger music schools like Levine. Maybe he could transition to private lessons once he’s introduced to it and figures out if he likes it. The group classes make it fun and there’s an element of peer pressure to behave.

There’s also something to be said for piano as a stepping stone to other instruments. My other DD took piano from ages 5-9 and is switching to a band instrument next year so she can be with her friends. She already reads both treble and bass clefs so will have an easier time learning a new instrument.

the DC Youth Orchestra is having an instrument petting zoo event this weekend. It's a great way to expose a child to a multitude of instruments and ask questions -- may help you narrow things down a bit.

http://www.dcyop.org/events/events-calendar/?mc_id=439

We are considering starting music lessons for my 5.5 year old but are not sure which instrument to pick. My husband and I didnot grow up here. We are neither immersed in Western Classical music nor aware of the music scene in schools here. To give some background my son very likely has inattentive ADHD and is a very clumsy kid that is probably never going to play any sport in school. He does seem to have an ear for music. I would like to pick an instrument that might lead to him being a part of the band/orchestra in the future so that he has a group he can belong to. Something that can be his 'thing'. He did a short rec-type piano program a couple of years ago. We like piano cause unlike the violin say, it has an easier learning curve. However, I'm not sure it is something that will be of use in school later.

For those who might respond asking me to follow the child's interest, yes I will eventually. He is just too young now and it is all too unfamiliar for him to have an opinion.