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This site has been designed to help you find the best music instrument
you are looking for that will meet your needs online, in the quickest
time possible, without the need of going to hundreds of shops. You will
also find recommendations and advice on many different aspects of that
instrument. So sit back, relax and enjoy.
News: Music shown
to help academic ability
Many students entering
the fourth and fifth grade this school year will have their first opportunity
to join the band or orchestra.
Several studies have
shown a correlation between active music making and better reading ability,
math scores and increased self-confidence. The first step in peaking
a child's interest in music is choosing the right instrument.
Amy Nathan, author of "The Young Musicians Survival Guide: Tips
from Teens and Pros," suggests heading to the library and checking
out CDs such as Benjamin Britten's "The Young Person's Guide to
the Orchestra," Camille Saint-Saens' Carneval des Animaux or Sergey
Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf."
These classics for kids introduce young ears to a variety of musical
sounds. Nathan also recommends that parents take their children to concerts
and play music around the house, paying close attention to the songs
that make kids dance and sing along.
"While tone isn't the only reason a child will choose a certain
instrument, it is a major factor in his or her mastery of that instrument,"
Nathan said.
"If your child doesn't like the instrument's sound, they won't
be happy practicing. You want your child to have an emotional attachment
to the instrument."
Some children already know what instruments they want to play. If your
child's favorite muppet was "Animal," it's liking that he
or she has a hankering for a set of drumsticks. Other children are attracted
to the look and size of an instrument.
Gary Ingle, executive director of the Music Teachers National Association
(MTNA), asks parents to be aware of an instrument's physical requirements.
"A student can't begin an instrument until his or her physical
qualities make playing the instrument accessible," Ingel said.
"Some instruments, like the violin and guitar, can be sized. Others,
like the trombone, cannot. The right instrument has to be comfortable
for the child to hold and play."
Parents and children should check out as may instruments as possible
from the main groups -- brass, woodwinds, percussion and strings --
before committing to one.
In many schools, the music department will designate a time and place
for students to try out all the various instruments.
Once your child has decided on an instrument the next step is finding
a local music store that specializes in school-based music programs.
Ingle said the most common mistake parents make is not properly researching
the investment they need to make in a quality instrument to ensure as
much success as possible.
"What makes one instrument sound better than the other?" Ingle
asks. "What makes one instrument more valuable? These are important
questions for parents to consider before committing."
Most schools recommend that students start out by renting their instruments.
The interest level of an 11-year-old may not be long-lasting, and he
or she may experiment with many instruments before committing, so parents
should think twice before slapping down their credit card for a Stradivarius.
"We recommend a program that requires a small down payment and
monthly rental payments that can be applied towards ownership, and that
provides flexibility to switch or return an instrument - with no financial
obligation -- if a child loses interest," said American Music Conference
Board Secretary Jeff Eckroth. "When a parent commits to full purchase
right away, it places a huge financial burden on the child to stick
with that instrument and not pursue other musical opportunities if they
so desire. This usually has a negative effect on the child and their
musical experience."
If you feel your child has shown a level of passion, maturity and commitment
in playing his or her chosen instrument, buying may be an option.
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