I started playing the piano by ear when I was six. I took lessons after that, to learn to read music, but when I hear a song, I just know what notes to play, and I never need any written music. It's inside of me. Two of my children have inherited this talent, and they just know. You can't force talent. Either you have it, or you dont.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm hoping to steer my kids toward piano and guitar because they are such social instruments as an adult.

Is the piano really a social instrument nowadays? It's not like the 1800's where people entertain their guests by playing piano for them ,

True. These days you'll find us gathered round the Victrola.

The "instrument petting zoo" many schools host is wonderful. Google "how to choose instrument" and there is some very interesting data about physical characteristics that can be helpful for different instruments as well (like it really helps to be long-limbed from trombone, lips of a certain size for tuba or flute). Flute appears easy but it isn't that easy getting the right noise out of it. Clarinet can be hard for many kids to blow into because of the reed. For French Horn, most schools want kids with some prior musical background (like piano). Oboe, bassoon, tuba, piccolo, etc., come after solid learning on clarinet, euphonium, flute, etc.

Just don't say "You'll play the flute" if you have a flute in the attic! Lesson learned here.

Anonymous wrote:I do believe the triangle is the easiest to learn.

This but it doesn't qualify as "musical instrument" - it qualifies as "percussion"

you could try the Ukulele - only 4 strings!

Well growing up I played Clairenet and piano and boy was clairenet raiser it would come natural for me but I will admit became much harder when we had to start going over the break but don't give just keep on I trying because many of my friends gave up when it became tough keep your chin up and practice everyday and you will do just fine.

I really wanted to play saxophone when I was younger but, we didn't have the money. So I tried the flute... That didnt work out. When you play the flute it takes a while to learn the right way to blow to make a sound which is something I was unable to achieve. My friend had switched to clarinet after trying flute an liked it so I decided why not? An swhitched to clarinet. I found clarinet much easier. About the squeaking though, unlike what some people are saying you don't squeak EVERY single note only when you first try a note or when you are not covering the whole key. Plus some other things. All in all, I woul go with clarinet if I was her.

Some revived threads are informative, and certain info never loses its service. However, reviving a Kim Kardashian et al thread from two years ago is beyond ridiculous.

Do people revive threads like this just to make others feel foolish when they discover that they have given advice to someone who asked a question almost 3 years ago?

Anonymous wrote:PP - So when you blow into a flute, do you get a nice sound right away, or is it like clarinet where it squeaks a lot and takes a while to get the sound right?

NP. I played flute for, like, a year. No, you don't get a nice sound right away. At least not everyone does. I got more of a breathy sound than a screechy sound, so sound did come out but it wasn't always pretty. As the PPs said, it's like blowing across the top of an open bottle. You have to purse your lips a certain way.

I wish I'd known about the sax when I was that age.

Anonymous wrote:I'm hoping to steer my kids toward piano and guitar because they are such social instruments as an adult.

Is the piano really a social instrument nowadays? It's not like the 1800's where people entertain their guests by playing piano for them ,

There are no "easy" instruments. You will learn, dear caterpillar, that being a musician has nothing to do with the instrument. But, piano is best to start because you dont have tune it (assuming its already in tune), and its visual. Your DS needs to practice daily whichever instrument she picks up. If she wants a wind instrument, start on clarinet. You can help by exposing her to artists on her chosen instrument. Good luck.

I played the flute in the band and the piano in the orchestra. Don't give her a percussion instrument where people will be expecting her to have rhythm.

Anonymous wrote:Easiest musical intrument to learn and the only one I know how to play is the radio

Seriously, I was having this discussion with my sister (who can play like 5 instruments) about my own kids learning how to play at least something suggested the brass instruments - trumpet, tuba, french horn, ect. Three valves to remember.

Yeah but she can't sing on key.

I'm hoping to steer my kids toward piano and guitar because they are such social instruments as an adult.

OP, does her desire really stem from wanting to play in a band or to be part of a group? There are other activities that she might more successful at that don't require musical forte.

P.S. PP, I totally remember "Billy don't be a hero!"