Almost half of all children want to learn how to play a musical instrument, but many adults are left wondering how. This article will help you pick the right instrument for your child and teach them some tips on practice- what works well or not so much. The best way to start is by identifying their interests, personality, and goals for playing an instrument. Once you have that figured out, try one of these 6 tips.

1 – Practice with them

If you’re not a teacher or mentor, then set aside some time to play with your child will be just as beneficial. Try getting together with your child for at least 5 minutes per day and practice together. Ask them if they want to play a duet or something simpler first, you know,  share the sheet music, then slowly get into something that is more challenging. This will help them feel confident when they play with other people because you’re showing them that you believe in them. If you’re a teacher, then try to find some time to practice with your student. Not only will this allow you to connect with them, but it will also help them improve. As a parent, find out what they’re working on and how it applies to your instrument, then try playing along with them- even if it’s just for a few minutes every day. By practising with your child they can have more fun, stay motivated, and learn faster!

2 – Join a band or ensemble

Chances are, your child may not be ready to play the accompaniment for a whole song or take centre stage. Joining a band or ensemble is a great way for them to learn to play their instrument with other musicians. That being said, it’s also beneficial to have your child join a band or ensemble that they feel ready to be a part of. If they’re not confident enough to play with other people, then it’s best to wait. Your child will have more fun learning how to play an instrument if they do it with their friends. Figuring out the basic beginner chords of most instruments is quite a fun learning experience. Find out if there are any local bands or ensembles near you who take beginners and see if your child’s interest aligns with one of the groups.

3 – Practice every day, even for 5 minutes

Yes, it’s true- practice does make perfect. Taking time out of your day to work on their instrument will help them become a better musician. If they’re a beginner, start off by practising a little bit every day. For children who are younger, this may be difficult to enforce because they may not have the attention span that an adult has. Try to set a timer for 5-10 minutes and give them incentives if they practice longer than that. If they’re in school, ask their teacher if it’s okay for them to practice during the day when they have free time. Make sure that they practice every day for at least 5 minutes.

4 – Find an awesome teacher or mentor

As a former teacher, I can tell you from experience that it is one of the most fulfilling feelings in the world to have a student excel. If your child is taking lessons or you are teaching them, they need to have an awesome teacher. Make sure that their teacher knows what they’re doing, has the experience, and is patient. You should also take lessons with your child if possible, so you are both learning at the same time. If that’s not possible, then find a mentor or another adult who can teach them and you at the same time. A great teacher or mentor can help your child stay motivated. Find someone they really connect with, who can make playing fun and exciting, rather than a chore.

5 – Figure out what they need to work on

Before you can practice something, you need to know what it is that needs work in the first place. Ask them what they think they need to work on most before you start actually practising. Are they playing the right notes? Are they using the proper technique? Is their tone quality correct?

What are some areas that your child needs to focus on? Always try to be encouraging. If they’re struggling with something, help them by telling them what you heard or how they can improve it. If you’re the one who’s teaching them, ask your child what they need to work on and make a list of things for them to practice. This will help them stay on track and not get bored with what they’re learning.

6 – Find the right instrument

Pick an instrument that is right for your child’s personality and style. If they like music, chances are they’ll enjoy playing a musical instrument. If you know what type of music they like, find an instrument that suits their style. For example, if they listen to pop or country music, they would probably enjoy playing an electric or acoustic guitar. If they listen to rock music, then a classical guitar might be the best choice for them. Or if they’re into metal or rock music then drums may be more suitable for them, while a saxophone may be better for other genres. Make sure that you pick out an instrument that is right for them as well as their personality. Some instruments work better than others depending on what they’re looking for in terms of sound quality and style.

If you’re a parent and want to help your child learn how to play an instrument, these six tips may be able to help. In order for them to practice every day, make sure that they have the right type of instrument as well as a teacher or mentor who is willing and capable. They also need time set aside each day in order to work on what needs improvement most before practising it out loud with someone else. The last tip we’ll leave you with is: if you’re not their teacher or mentor, then try getting together and playing music once per week! This will give both parties something fun and rewarding that can improve their skills without feeling like homework.