Which instrument should your child learn? The most important factor in choosing an instrument is the ability of the instrument to "grow up" with the student. I mean that an instrument should be used in a wide variety of musical styles, because the music we like will change with time. A student must actively listen to music that features the instrument they are learning to play.

 

As a child, the first music that really grabbed my ear was the rock and pop-metal of the 80s. This guitar-centric music rendered my piano lessons worse than useless, as I actively resisted learning anything. In hindsight, I recognize my attitude was immature. But it is the nature of a child to lack maturity. 

 

When the popular sound changed in the 90s I veered into instrumental rock and harder heavy metal. This music became stale for me in college and I listened broadly to discover the music that really moved me. I took a deep dive into Classical music, contemporary jazz, and jazz-rock-fusion. After college I tended to favor the more traditional jazz stylings of the 40s, 50s and 60s.

 

In recent years I have been exploring the classic rock of the 60s and 70s, and contemporary Country. This is astonishing to me because for decades I hated (hated!) all Country music. I never imagined that I could develop an ear for it. I have even developed an appreciation for the minimalist genius of pop music.

 

The point of this personal reflection is that our musical tastes will naturally change throughout our life (as long as we keep our ears open). Sometimes our tastes will change in ways that surprise even ourselves.

 

The guitar is a common element in my shifting musical preferences. A big reason the guitar is so popular is it’s ability to adapt to all musical settings. The guitar is equally at home in classical, jazz, blues, R&B, folk, rock, country and pop. The guitar has the ability to “grow up” with the music student. The guitar is used in simple music and in music that is complex. You hear it in mainstream radio hits and in niche styles that are off the beaten path.

 

For these reasons and many others the guitar is a great first instrument for a child to learn.