Most people like listening to music. The ability to make music is something that you'll probably find enjoyable, and it's also great for your brain. When you learn how to play an instrument, you'll have a positive sense of achievement as you reach goals and learn. You'll also be improving skills such as math, reading, comprehension, and even your memory as you learn an instrument. If you're not sure which instrument you'd like to try, read on to find out more about some of the most popular instruments that many kids like to learn to play.
Many people start learning how to make music by learning how to play the piano. Pianists can play solo performances or with orchestras and ensembles. Piano music is also very versatile, fitting into almost any style. You determine what the notes sound like by the way you hit the keys, either soft or loud, short or long.
A drummer makes sounds with a snare drum by hitting the drum head with drumsticks. It's possible to change the pitch of the sound slightly if you tighten or loosen the drum head. Snares are made of metal or synthetic wire stretched across the drum heads so they rattle when the drum is hit. Snare drums are an important part of orchestras, concert bands, and marching bands.
Trumpets have existed for thousands of years, although early trumpets did not look like today's trumpets. Trumpets are very loud, so they are usually an important part of an orchestra. Because of their loudness, trumpets have also been used to send messages and for religious purposes. The shape of the trumpet's tubing helps make the sound.
When compared to trumpets, trombones have a quieter sound. A trombone player doesn't make sounds with valves like a trumpet. Instead, a trombone has a slide that the player moves to make different notes. The slide has seven positions that change the length of the tubing, which makes different pitches.
The flute is a woodwind instrument. It has holes that you cover to play notes while you blow across the mouthpiece. Flutes have several different sounds. They can be soft and light or sharp and high. It's usually easy to hear the flutes in a song, so they often play the melody.
The clarinet is also a part of the woodwind family. Musicians blow air in between a reed and the mouthpiece to make sounds. The clarinet has a range of almost four octaves, so it is very versatile in an orchestra. The sounds produced will depend on the skill of the player and the quality of the instrument.
When you think of a string instrument, you might think of a violin right away. The violin is the highest-pitched string instrument. To play the violin, you hold it under your chin, resting it on your shoulder. You can play the violin while standing or sitting, and this instrument will often carry the melody in songs.
Cellos are part of the string family. When part of a string quartet, the cello is the lowest voice. Sometimes, the cello will play very low bass notes, but it can also create higher notes, too.