Parents are thrilled at the prospect of their children showing musical inclinations, and even when they don’t they frequently enroll them in class. It’s well known that music stimulates the mind, and it’s personally rewarding and pleasing to the ear of all surrounding company (if the kid can play!). It’s no wonder music lessons are looked on so warmly. Selecting an instrument is another story, and there’s a big difference between the popularity of drums, guitar, and piano. Naturally, the popularity in these lessons corresponds with the popularity of the instruments themselves.

Choosing to be a drummer is something you really only do if there’s a fire inside. Most children dream of becoming famous lead singers, killer shredders of guitar, or playing tender ballads on piano. But rhythm is inside all of us, and some people feel it harder than others. It’s a common thing for musical people to bang on pots and pans when they’re younger, and these are the kind of people who don’t surprisingly turn to drums. However, it’s an expensive instrument that takes up space, and perhaps the biggest complaint is the noise! Even if you’re a terrific drums player, it’s a loud racket from the basement. And it takes years to get at this stage; hearing somebody learn to play drums can be agitating to say the least! Another drawback is they aren’t portable. It’s no wonder the drummer always hosts rehearsals!

Playing a piano, or keyboard, has been the traditional first instrument for children for ages, and for good reason. It’s visually the clearest way to see the notes, and so learning music theory is simplest. Unlike on other instruments, the notes are arranged exactly in their order of pitch without exception. It’s a beautiful instrument on which you can play melodies and harmonies. However, they are expensive and famously very heavy! There’s a reason cartoon characters have pianos fall on their heads and not mandolins. You can get a keyboard, but the increased portability corresponds with a decrease in sound quality. Plus, the keys sometimes feel too light and plastic-too much like a toy and not an instrument.

Ever since the 60’s guitar has probably been the most popular instrument amongst all ages. They sound great, they’re portable, and cheap. They’re not super hard to play decently. Like piano, melody and harmony can be played. Also, with electric guitars and amps and pedals there’s a huge range in sounds. There are a lot of songs that just sound like they’re supposed to be played on guitar: folk and types of easy going rock in particular. Unlike on piano, your hands are directly plucking the strings, and this connection to the instrument resonates with all kinds of genres. The image of the lead guitar player jumping around the stage and smashing his guitar has become one of the leading motivations for people to take up guitar.

There’s all kinds of beautiful instruments out there, and the best one is the one you most want to play. But for a lot of people, that instrument’s guitar.

Author Bio: Long & McQuade’s Musical Education Center offers professional guitar lessons for all different skill levels. Learn how to play guitars today at Long & McQuade!

Category: Entertainment
Keywords: music lessons,music,entertainment,society,musical instrument,reference, education,kids and teens