Band Instruments For Beginners

Christmas can be a great time to introduce your child to their first musical instrument.  Many of the large retail store offer beginner band instruments at extremely affordable prices.  Keep in mind these introductory instruments that you see at places like Walmart, Meijers or Target are just that, starter instruments.  They tend to be fairly low quality and are designed to be strictly a low cost option for someone wanting to buy an instrument.  I would suggest that if you think your child is definitely interested in learning music to avoid some of these less quality options. 

Probably the number one instrument that kids ask for on their Christmas list is a guitar.  I was one of those as a child myself.  If you are considering getting a child their first guitar I personally would suggest you look at getting them an acoustic guitar to start with.  Good quality acoustic guitars are readily available both online and at local music stores.  There are both advantages to buying them their first gutiar online and disadvantages.  First you can often find lower prices or clearance acoustic guitars online.  The disadvantage is that most online stores that sell instruments don’t offer any type of lessons.  If you buy your acoustic guitar at a local music shop your can usually negotiate to include free guitar lessons.   Not only does this help you satisfy your child’s desires to get an instrument for Christmas but it also allows you to get them started on the right foot with good beginner music lessons.   If you are  shopping for an older child or someone more experienced in playing an instrument there are some very nice introductory guitar lesson dvd’s and cd’s readily available online.  You can find them for real reasonable prices on Amazon, Ebay and many other shopping portals.  Make sure to read the reviews of past customers to make sure you are buying a quality self teaching program.

While I suggest an acoustic guitar as a gift for beginners many will be asking for an electric guitar.  Lots of kids have been playing rock band on their playstaions and Xbox and have really fallen in love with the idea of an electric guitar.  If you decide to go this route for your child’s first guitar you need to understand what you will need.  First and foremost in buying an electric guitar for a beginner is to have everything they will need.  Make sure the electric guitar you buy comes with an amp, all the cords needed , and I highly recommend a pair of head phones.  Head phones allow your band student to practice without having to disturb the rest of the family.

Other options that make very good instruments for Christmas gifts would include starter drum sets, electronic keyboards, trumpets, clarinets or violins.  You will have to take the time to evaluate what you think will best suit your childs needs.  Whatever instrument you decide to buy your child for their first instrument always consider you will have to hear them practice.  If you can’t live with the sometimes awful sounds that a beginner makes on with their drum sets, trumpets or others instrument make sure you have a place they can practice that is removed from the main part of the house.