My daughter came home from school today with a sign up sheet to play a musical instrument.

Here is the list she can choose from. She has to pick a first choice and a second choice.

Violin
Cello
Flute
Clarinet
Trumpet
Percussion (Drums and Bells)

She is only 9 years old and played the bells last year for a music program for one song. She seemed to enjoy playing the bells, however, since these are free lessons, I thought maybe something else.

My husband has some experience playing the violin and could help her out with that selection.

I was thinking of choosing the violin as the first choice and the flute as a second choice.

She is an average student and I don’t want something too difficult where she will lose interest. Please let me know which instruments are difficult, easy or fun to learn. Thanks!

Hi! I also took advantage of free school music programs at age 9, and I’ve stuck with the violin. It is an amazingly versatile instrument, and I have come very far through learning music. However, the most important thing is that your daughter be enthusiastic about the instrument she chooses to play…the participation from grade four to grade twelve in the music program decreased drastically as a result of children simply not enjoying their music lessons. However, if she does stick with her instrument… 3/5 of the graduating senior class in my town are now music majors. Learning music can change your daughter’s life and is a wonderful opportunity. The violin is a great instrument, as long as it is what your daughter prefers. Good Luck!