Brenda, Tracy, or anyone with musical knowledge

MommyToAshley wrote: Ever since the orchestra played at Ashley's preschool, she's wanted a musical instrument. She says she wants a "horn". I think Santa is going to bring her one, and I looked at the website Tracy gave.

But, I am wondering which one I should get Ashley? Flute, clarinet, trumpet, sax? The keys are color coded and it comes with a book to learn music by the color coded keys.... so which one do you think would be easiest to learn? This should be interesting because I have NO musical ability at all. I can't even humm in tune.

luvbug00 replied: I'm by far no musical expert but what about a recorder to start and then see where that goes. so she can nail down the keys and proper finger positioning? I wish she could go to Mya's school where the recorder is a requirement for kindergarden threw 3rd grade.

Jamison'smama replied: Well, although I never played the horn--of any kind, my first instinct is to say the sax only because she can look down and see what to push while blowing.

Otherwise, they are probably all about the same on that level. Just a complete guess though.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: I'd say the trumpet - only because blowing in the mouth piece is easier (to me - I played the trombone in high school band ) than figuring out how to use your tongue on the wooden mouth pieces for clarinet and sax.

I have a flute... and I find it hard to adjust my mouth to blow on it.

Hope that helps......

DansMom replied: The recorder is great for an older child, but I think 3 is too young, for you have to keep your thumb closed on the thumb hold and it's difficult to fill the stops with little fingers. The toy instruments that Dee Dee is talking about are good because you press color coded keys. I'm thinking of the sax as well, although the trumpet is probably what Daniel has in mind... actually he'd like a tuba, but they don't have those

MommyToAshley replied: I have no clue what a recorder is.

Yes, I should have made it clear that these are toy instruments for $12.99. I guess it's not that big of a decission financially... I just wanted to get one that would be easy enough to learn that she wouldn't get frustrated and lose interest. If she continues her interest in music, she may get a real instrument when she gets older.

She also wants a drum, and MIL has already bought that for her. Santa laughed when he heard that Ashley wanted a drum... he said Mom is probably looking forward to you getting a whole set of drums.


I think I will ask Santa for some earplugs.

Maybe Daniel can come over and give Ashley some lessons!?!

My3LilMonkeys replied: IMHO (8 years of experience with various musical instruments in middle and high school), a clarinet or sax is the way to go. Flutes can be difficult to learn and hold the mouth positioning and a trumpet requires better breath regulation than the others.

Between clarinet and sax, I am personally partial to the clarinet (it was my main instrument) but for a beginner a sax is probably easier. The notes don't go as high and lower notes are easier.

MommyToAshley replied: Thanks for the input everyone.

jcc64 replied: Just weighing in here from a very musical household, although I am the only non practicing member of it. A horn, such as the trumpet, is incredibly hard to gain the breath control for- Noah's been playing for 2 years and only now is "getting" it. Alec has been playing the sax for 5 yrs, and actually sounds quite good. The music program in our elementary school is shockingly good- and all the kids, regardless of their desired instrument, must first master the recorder in 2nd grade. It's most similiar to a clarinet, and it's very cheap and easy to get. Sounds like the little toys you mentioned are a good place to start. I should also mention that piano is a great place for little kids to gain mastery and understanding, and it's pretty easy to hit a note correctly on a piano. There are all kinds of laptop and kiddie keyboards that are relatively inexpensive. Of course, then you'd have to find someone to teach her. Good luck- I think it's a great thing to get your kid into from an early age.

MyLuvBugs replied: Instead of buying her an instrument, which can be VERY expensive, why don't you start her off with Piano lessons to learn the basics of reading and understanding music. Or get her a recorder (cheap and yet musical). Most kids (me being one) said that same thing to their parents when their little, but don't realize what really goes into learning music. Kids also get bored with musical instruments quickly. My suggestion, before you spend hundreds of dollars on a really nice trumpet or flute, is to either rent an instrument to make sure she wants to stick with it, or start her off with piano lessons. JMO!

MyLuvBugs replied: Oh, and I realize that you were talking about toy instruments. I minored in Music in College for two years before switching to Geography, so I love hearing that kids as young as 3 want to learn about music. However, I feel they should start with learning the Music, and not just colors on a toy. And I don't mean that to be offensive. I'm just stating my opinion.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:


oh. well then.



I'd just get them all at THAT price.....