Playing Musical Instruments

Expose yourself or your child to the different instruments in the families of strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion.

Attend local band or orchestra concerts with a knowledgeable friend. Bring your child. Talk afterwards about what was seen and heard.

Listen to the timbres of different musical instruments and the different musical pieces and styles in which they are featured.

Consider your physical restrictions when choosing an instrument. Some instruments, such as the sousaphone, may be too heavy or too large for a petite person, and some instruments may require longer fingers or certain facial dexterity.

Have a professional music instructor help you analyze your potential. A professional will be able to assess facial, physical and even personal characteristics that may affect your choice of instrument.

Set a budget for your musical instrument. Some instruments, such as French horn, tuba, bassoon and oboe, may be a bit on the pricey side, but school instrumental music departments usually have a small number of these instruments in their inventories.

Try playing a few instruments by borrowing one from a friend, relative or acquaintance. Aptitude can be discovered this way.

Keep your lifestyle in mind. If you intend to move around quite a bit or have very little space in your apartment, a grand piano or harp is not the best choice, whereas a guitar, clarinet or trombone is portable.

Consider the social aspect. Band and orchestral instruments allow a person to participate in small and large performing groups. Piano can be rather isolating. Make a choice that gives you pleasure.