Violin

Violins are fairly easy to start learning and is mostly suitable for children 6 years and
older. They come in a variety of sizes, from full size to 1/16, depending on the age of the
learner. Violins are very popular and in demand so if you become a professional player it
wouldn't be hard to join an orchestra or any musical group. Remember to opt for nonelectric violins as it is more adequate for beginning students.
How to Play:
By rubbing the bow across the strings, the musician changes the tone color and
dynamics of the sound. By pressing the string/s on the fingerboard, the musician
changes the pitch of the sound. Common playing techniques used in string instruments
include double stop, harmonics, mute, pizzicato, tremolo and vibrato. Violins can be
played while seated or standing.
First known Violin:
The violin is believed to have evolved from the Rebec and the Lira da braccio. In Europe,
the earliest four-stringed violin was used in the first part of the century.
Types:
The violin is the smallest and has the highest range in a symphony orchestra's string
section. Violins may be classified according to type (i.e. acoustic or electric), size, period
or era and country of origin. Visit this page for more information on the various types of
violins.

Cello
Another instrument that is fairly easy to start and suitable for kids 6 years and older. It
is essentially a large violin but its' body is thicker. It is played the same way as the violin,
by rubbing the bow across the string. But where you can play the violin standing up, the
cello is played sitting down while holding it between your legs. It also comes in different
sizes from full size to 1/4.
How to Play:
The musician, or cellist, sits down while holding the instrument between his legs
supported by a metal spike. The cellist rubs the bow across the string to produce sound.
Common playing techniques used in string instruments include double stop, harmonics,
mute, pizzicato, tremolo and vibrato.
Types:
Cellos come in a variety of sizes to suit the age, height or body length of a player. read
this article to help you find the right size of cello for you or your child.
First known Cellos:
The first known maker of cellos was Andrea Amati of Cremona during the 1500s. Amati
apprenticed as a lute maker and in 1525, he became a master instrument maker.

Double Bass
This instrument is like a huge cello and is played the same way, by rubbing the bow
across the strings. Another way of playing it is by plucking or striking the strings.
Double bass can be played while standing up or sitting down and is suitable for kids 11
years and older. It also comes in various sizes from full size, 3/4, 1/2 and smaller. The
double bass isn't as popular as other string instruments but is essential in most kinds of
ensemble especially jazz bands.
How to Play:
The musician, or double-bassist, may either play it while seated or standing. When
standing, the bass is supported by the left leg while the left hand moves up and down the
fingerboard. When seated, the bass is supported by the musician's right thigh and pelvis
and by the use of an endpin on the floor. The double-bass is played by using a bow
across the strings (especially in symphonic music), striking or plucking (especially in
jazz) the strings. Common playing techniques used in string instruments include double
stop, harmonics, mute, pizzicato, tremolo and vibrato. Read this article to learn more
about double bass playing techniques.
Types:
The double bass is the largest and has the lowest range in a symphony orchestra's string
section. It comes in a variety of sizes to suit the age of the player. There is also an electric
upright bass. Read this article about the different sizes of double bass.
First known Double Bass:
In 1493, there was mention about "viols as big as myself" by Prospero, and in 1516 there
was an illustration closely resembling that of a double bass

Flute
Flutes are very popular and suitable for children to learn at age 10 upwards. Since it is
very popular, there will be a lot of competition out there if you do decide to continue
professionally. But don't let this fact dishearten you. The flute is one of the easiest
instrument to learn, easy to transport, not hard on the budget and fun to play.
How to Play:
The musician, or flutist, blows air into the edge of the instrument, changing the pitchof
the sound by opening/closing the holes using his/her fingers.
Types:
There are numerous types of flutes that are played differently. Some of these are:
Side blown flutes - piccolo, fife, bansuri
End-blown flutes - recorder, ney, kaval, quena, shakuhachi, tonette
Commonly known flutes include the piccolo, concert flute, alto flute, bass flute and contrabass
flute. Less known flutes include the treble flute, soprano, tenor, sub-bass and octobass flute.
First known Flutes:
Archaelogists have discovered in Slovenia an ancient flute made from the bones of a
cave bear dating back around 50,000 years ago

Clarinet
Another instrument of the woodwind family that is easy to start for kids 10 years and
older. Like the flute, it is very popular and you will find opportunities to play it
professionally if you desire. There are students who start off with the clarinet and take
another instrument like a saxophone and have no problems with the transition.

How to Play:
By blowing wind directly into the instruments' edge and changing the pitch by opening
and closing the holes with fingers. When a musician blows into it, the reed that is
attached over a hole in the mouthpiece vibrates.
Types:
There are various types of clarinets, among them are: Octave, Sopranino, Soprano, Alto,
Tenor, Baritone, and Bass.
First known Clarinet:
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The chalumeau, a single reed instrument, is believed to be the clarinet's predecessor.
Around 1690, Johann Christoph Denner and his son Jacob of Nuremborg improved the
chalumeau by inventing the speaker key. This gave birth to the clarinet which had a
larger register.

Saxophone
Saxophones come in a variety of sizes and types: like the soprano saxophone, the alto
sax, tenor sax and the baritone sax. It is suitable for kids age 12 years and older. The alto
saxophone is advisable for beginners. You will have a lot of opportunities to play the
saxophone as it is needed in most school orchestras.
How to Play:
The musician or saxophonist, places the mouthpiece in his mouth, with the reed gently
resting on his bottom lip and his teeth on top of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece must
be sealed with his mouth before he blows. The tube of the saxophone is made of brass.
Types:
There are many types of saxophones but generally they are divided into:

Soprano - May be either straight or curved. It is in the key of B flat and may be
difficult for beginners.

Alto - May also be curved or straight, but because of its size and shape, it is
recommended for beginners and is the most widely used. It is in the key of E flat.

Tenor - Larger than the alto sax and has a larger mouthpiece. It is in the key of B flat.

Baritone - The largest of the saxophone family.

First Known Saxophones:
The saxophone was invented by Antoine Joseph (Adolphe) Sax and his father Charles
Joseph of Belgium. They first perfected the bass-clarinet before inventing the
saxophone. Their friend,Hector Berlioz, wrote an article in a Paris magazine about the
saxophone. It was patented in 1846.

Trumpet
The trumpet belongs to the brass family of instruments and is quite easy to start for
students age 10 and older. Trumpets are orchestral instruments mostly used in jazz
bands. It is easy to learn, easy to transport, fun to play and not very expensive.
Remember to avoid buying a trumpet with a painted finish as the paint will chip.
How to Play:
The musician, or trumpeter, vibrates his lips over the mouthpiece while pressing the
valves on top. Mouthpieces can be changed to suit the music that will be played. For
example, jazz trumpeters prefer narrower mouthpieces.
Types:
There are different types of trumpets, the most commonly used is the B flat trumpet.
There is also the C, D, E flat and piccolo trumpet (also known as Bach trumpet). There
are also trumpet-related instruments such as the cornet, fluegel horn and bugles.
First known Trumpet:
The trumpet is believed to originate from Egypt in 1500 BC and was used mostly for
military purposes such as announcing battle. In the late 1300s metal trumpets started to
be regarded as a musical instrument. In the 16th to 18th century other forms of
trumpets were created such as the natural (valveless) trumpet and the valve trumpet.
The valve trumpet emerged in Germany in 1828. One of the changes to the trumpet

during the Renaissance was the addition of a slide which enabled it to play more tones.
This will become the basis for the design of the trombone.

Guitar
The guitar is one of the most popular instruments and is suitable for students age 6
years upwards. Folk style is easier to start with for beginners and remember to opt for
non-electric guitars if you're just starting out. Guitars come in a variety of sizes and
styles to suit any students need. Guitars are a mainstay in most music ensembles and
you can also play it solo and still sound appealing.
How to Play:
Guitars are played by strumming, plucking or striking the strings.
Types:
Guitars generally has three types: acoustic, bass and electric guitars. They come in all
sorts of shapes and sizes to fit the needs of a musician.
First Known Guitars:
The origin of guitars may have dated back to 1900-1800 B.C. in Babylonia.
Archaeologists found a clay plaque showing nude figures holding musical instruments,
some of which resembled the guitar.

Piano
Suitable for kids 6 years and older. The piano takes a lot of time and patience to master,
but once you do, it is worth it. The piano is one of the most versatile instruments out

there and one of the most beautiful sounding. Traditional pianos are more suitable for
beginners but there are a lot of electronic pianos out in the market right now that sound
and feel like a real piano and cost almost the same.
How to Play:
A piano is played by pressing the keys with the fingers of both hands. The standard
piano of today has 88 keys, the three foot pedals also has specific functions. The pedal
on the right is called a damper, stepping on this causes all the keys to vibrate or
sustain. Stepping on the pedal in the middle causes only the keys currently pressed to
vibrate. Stepping on the pedal on the left creates a muted sound; a single note is
produced from 2 or three piano strings that are tuned in unison.
Types of Pianos:
There are two types of pianos and each vary in form and size:
Vertical/Upright Pianos - Includes Full Size, Professional Upright, Console and Spinet.
Horizontal/Grand Pianos - Includes Concert, Living Room, Parlor and Baby Grand to name
a few.
First Known Pianos:
Bartolomeo Cristofori created thegravecembalo col piano e forte around 1709 in
Florence. By 1726, changes in Cristofori's early invention became the basis of the
modern piano. The piano became very popular in the mid-18th century and was used
in chamber music, concerti, salon music and in song accompaniments. The upright
piano was favored by 1860.

Harp
The harp is surprisingly easy to start. There are piano students who learn to play the
harp with little difficulty because both instruments require reading music pieces in

double-stave. Harps come in small sizes for kids age 8 years upwards and bigger harps
for students 12 years and older. There are not a lot of people who play the harp and
finding a teacher may be difficult. Nevertheless, it is one of the most ancient and
beautiful sounding instrument and it's worth learning if you desire.
How to Play:
Harps are played by strumming or plucking the strings while seated.
Types:
Concert grand harps has 47 strings and a range of 6 octaves. There are various types of
harps:
Pedal Harp - Also known as the classical harp, has 7 pedals at the base.
Lever Harp - Also known as the folk harp, are non-pedal harps.
There are also Celtic, Irish, Wire-strung, Double strung and lap harps.
First Known Harp:
The harp is one of the oldest musical instruments; archaeologists discovered a wall
painting in Ancient Egyptian tombs which resembled that of a harp and dates back to
3000 BC.