The tin-whistle or the recorder are both very common first instruments and are a good introduction to making music. They are also inexpensive and children can begin learning as soon as their fingers are big enough to cover the holes, usually from the age of five onwards.
The piano can be learned as soon as the child can reach the keys and has the strength to press them down, usually from the age of five onwards.
Stringed instruments, such as the violin often come in smaller sizes for young children so can be started from quite a young age. Recommended age: ( five and above for the violin and seven and above for the viola and cello.)
Many wind and brass instruments are not suitable for younger children due to the pressure they place on teeth, the size of the instrument and the lip strength required. It is recommended to wait until eight and above for the flute and clarinet and ten and above for the saxophone, trumpet and the french horn.
Guitars also come in smaller sizes for little children and are really popular among kids. It is recommended that they begin with an acoustic guitar, from the age of seven onwards.
Drums are also very popular and are often thought to be easy to learn, but they’re not! Recommended age to begin learning (if you can stand the noise) is seven plus..
