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The Right Instrument for Your Child: A Practical Guide for Parents and Teachers
Based on a system developed - after a detailed research programme - by the authors at the Ben-Tovim Children's Music Research Centre, this book is a guide to identifying the most rewarding instrument for individual children. The book contains new sections on organizing lessons and practice time.
- GenresMusicNonfiction
Hardcover
First published August 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 3, 2020
I should preface this by saying that this book was written in 1985. It absolutely takes former norms for granted. That being said, if you're a parent of a child who wants to pursue music in the 21st century, "The Right Instrument for Your Child" should absolutely not be your guide book.
As a musician (cellist, composer, educator), I found this book frankly destructive in how it overgeneralizes musicians. More insultingly, it claims to do so in a "scientific" way. While there is some statistical merit to some of the book's content, most of the actual instrument-selection material is heavily tainted by stereotypes and the biases of the authors.
According to this book, as a child, the cello would not have been "suitable" for me, as I had a small frame and small hands. My voice was also relatively high, making it even less of a "good fit". I was not quiet. I did find easy student parts boring. And yet, I've been playing the cello for nine years, am attending conservatory, and (brag time) was one of the top cellists of my region. It would've been a shame if my parents had read this book and discouraged me from playing the cello due to my childhood characteristics. I would surely have been miserable on the violin or the flute, which this book recommended to me.
Something that this book fails to consider is that children... grow up. Bodies change. Personalities change. There is no reason to restrict your child from choosing an instrument because they are "not suited" for it. Regardless of whether or not a child can even *be* "suited," any child can grow into any instrument just fine (given that is the instrument they'd like to pursue).
On this note! Something that frustrated me a lot was how little the child is considered in the instrument selection process. According to this book, you should disregard your child's pleas to play certain instruments until you, the parent, have made a list of what *you* think they should play. Again, I think this is a shame. Children should be able to experiment with the instruments that inspire them. Having an instrument forced upon you by a parent, I think, is what makes children hate music.
As a musician (cellist, composer, educator), I found this book frankly destructive in how it overgeneralizes musicians. More insultingly, it claims to do so in a "scientific" way. While there is some statistical merit to some of the book's content, most of the actual instrument-selection material is heavily tainted by stereotypes and the biases of the authors.
According to this book, as a child, the cello would not have been "suitable" for me, as I had a small frame and small hands. My voice was also relatively high, making it even less of a "good fit". I was not quiet. I did find easy student parts boring. And yet, I've been playing the cello for nine years, am attending conservatory, and (brag time) was one of the top cellists of my region. It would've been a shame if my parents had read this book and discouraged me from playing the cello due to my childhood characteristics. I would surely have been miserable on the violin or the flute, which this book recommended to me.
Something that this book fails to consider is that children... grow up. Bodies change. Personalities change. There is no reason to restrict your child from choosing an instrument because they are "not suited" for it. Regardless of whether or not a child can even *be* "suited," any child can grow into any instrument just fine (given that is the instrument they'd like to pursue).
On this note! Something that frustrated me a lot was how little the child is considered in the instrument selection process. According to this book, you should disregard your child's pleas to play certain instruments until you, the parent, have made a list of what *you* think they should play. Again, I think this is a shame. Children should be able to experiment with the instruments that inspire them. Having an instrument forced upon you by a parent, I think, is what makes children hate music.
October 10, 2022
As an ex pupil of hers I highly recommend this book she told me I would be a pianist, recorder and saxophonist and she was correct.
November 20, 2013
I picked up a copy of this book at our local library book sale. I didn't know what a gem I had until someone recommended it for my child and I remembered I had it on the bookshelf.
The book works on the premise that you know your child, but not much about musical instruments. The book has various questions to answer about your child, such as physical, mental attributes, etc. It is very much like completing one of the quizzes you get in a magazine, where you answer a, b, or c. Then at the end you add up all the totals. Whilst completing the exercises through the book the authors tell you about musical instruments and the type of people who play them.
I learnt to play the violin, although I wanted to play piano. I learnt piano later as an adult. My eldest child plays the violin and is suited to it. I could tell my youngest child was musical, but she kept latching onto instruments she saw others playing. So she had some piano lessons, tried a piano accordion and the recorder. None of them seemed to be right for her.
After using this book, it was clear that she was not ready to start playing an instrument; that she needed an instrument that went in her mouth; was a social instrument (that is a group instrument with sociable players). It came down to about 3 instruments, flute, clarinet or tenor horn.
The following year we went to London after arranging with a music store for her to try out the 3 instruments. She decided she really wanted to play the saxophone, so we decided on the b flat clarinet. Apparently it is easy to transfer from the clarinet to saxophone. The clarinet is cheaper to purchase and is a traditional orchestral instrument. We told her if she got to grade 5, there was the possibility of moving to a saxophone.
She has done really well at the clarinet. She really enjoys playing in the schools orchestra. The immediate feedback and the way the instrument is played suits her personality. I highly recommend this book. I believe everyone is musical, but often are given the wrong instrument, so give up.
The book works on the premise that you know your child, but not much about musical instruments. The book has various questions to answer about your child, such as physical, mental attributes, etc. It is very much like completing one of the quizzes you get in a magazine, where you answer a, b, or c. Then at the end you add up all the totals. Whilst completing the exercises through the book the authors tell you about musical instruments and the type of people who play them.
I learnt to play the violin, although I wanted to play piano. I learnt piano later as an adult. My eldest child plays the violin and is suited to it. I could tell my youngest child was musical, but she kept latching onto instruments she saw others playing. So she had some piano lessons, tried a piano accordion and the recorder. None of them seemed to be right for her.
After using this book, it was clear that she was not ready to start playing an instrument; that she needed an instrument that went in her mouth; was a social instrument (that is a group instrument with sociable players). It came down to about 3 instruments, flute, clarinet or tenor horn.
The following year we went to London after arranging with a music store for her to try out the 3 instruments. She decided she really wanted to play the saxophone, so we decided on the b flat clarinet. Apparently it is easy to transfer from the clarinet to saxophone. The clarinet is cheaper to purchase and is a traditional orchestral instrument. We told her if she got to grade 5, there was the possibility of moving to a saxophone.
She has done really well at the clarinet. She really enjoys playing in the schools orchestra. The immediate feedback and the way the instrument is played suits her personality. I highly recommend this book. I believe everyone is musical, but often are given the wrong instrument, so give up.
July 17, 2013
I picked up a copy of this book at our local library book sale. I didn't know what a gem I had until someone recommended it for my child and I remembered I had it on the bookshelf.
The book works on the premise that you know your child, but not much about musical instruments. The book has various questions to answer about your child, such as physical, mental attributes, etc. It is very much like completing one of the quizzes you get in a magazine, where you answer a, b, or c. Then at the end you add up all the totals. Whilst completing the exercises through the book the authors tell you about musical instruments and the type of people who play them.
I learnt to play the violin, although I wanted to play piano. I learnt piano later as an adult. My eldest child plays the violin and is suited to it. I could tell my youngest child was musical, but she kept latching onto instruments she saw others playing. So she had some piano lessons, tried a piano accordion and the recorder. None of them seemed to be right for her.
After using this book, it was clear that she was not ready to start playing an instrument; that she needed an instrument that went in her mouth; was a social instrument (that is a group instrument with sociable players). It came down to about 3 instruments, flute, clarinet or tenor horn.
The following year we went to London after arranging with a music store for her to try out the 3 instruments. She decided she really wanted to play the saxophone, so we decided on the b flat clarinet. Apparently it is easy to transfer from the clarinet to saxophone. The clarinet is cheaper to purchase and is a traditional orchestral instrument. We told her if she got to grade 5, there was the possibility of moving to a saxophone.
She has done really well at the clarinet. She really enjoys playing in the schools orchestra. The immediate feedback and the way the instrument is played suits her personality. I highly recommend this book. I believe everyone is musical, but often are given the wrong instrument, so give up.
The book works on the premise that you know your child, but not much about musical instruments. The book has various questions to answer about your child, such as physical, mental attributes, etc. It is very much like completing one of the quizzes you get in a magazine, where you answer a, b, or c. Then at the end you add up all the totals. Whilst completing the exercises through the book the authors tell you about musical instruments and the type of people who play them.
I learnt to play the violin, although I wanted to play piano. I learnt piano later as an adult. My eldest child plays the violin and is suited to it. I could tell my youngest child was musical, but she kept latching onto instruments she saw others playing. So she had some piano lessons, tried a piano accordion and the recorder. None of them seemed to be right for her.
After using this book, it was clear that she was not ready to start playing an instrument; that she needed an instrument that went in her mouth; was a social instrument (that is a group instrument with sociable players). It came down to about 3 instruments, flute, clarinet or tenor horn.
The following year we went to London after arranging with a music store for her to try out the 3 instruments. She decided she really wanted to play the saxophone, so we decided on the b flat clarinet. Apparently it is easy to transfer from the clarinet to saxophone. The clarinet is cheaper to purchase and is a traditional orchestral instrument. We told her if she got to grade 5, there was the possibility of moving to a saxophone.
She has done really well at the clarinet. She really enjoys playing in the schools orchestra. The immediate feedback and the way the instrument is played suits her personality. I highly recommend this book. I believe everyone is musical, but often are given the wrong instrument, so give up.
April 4, 2014
Part personality test for your child, part psychological profile of different instruments and musicians who love them, this book was fascinating. As a former clarinet player, I can attest that this book had me pegged (impatient, quick-learner).
Some of the gender generalizations are rather conventional (boys who like model building and girls who like needlework), but I get the deeper point, a boy who likes needlework would fit this type, too. The author says percussion is a good fit for some angry adolescent girls, which maybe true. Personally, the one girl percussionist I knew was cheerful and fun, AND also full of energy.
The bigger picture that the authors stress, is that playing an instrument is a physical and mental extension of who you are as a person. Parents need to honor this, allowing children to test out instruments for themselves. This book does help a parent narrow down the range of instruments.
Some of the gender generalizations are rather conventional (boys who like model building and girls who like needlework), but I get the deeper point, a boy who likes needlework would fit this type, too. The author says percussion is a good fit for some angry adolescent girls, which maybe true. Personally, the one girl percussionist I knew was cheerful and fun, AND also full of energy.
The bigger picture that the authors stress, is that playing an instrument is a physical and mental extension of who you are as a person. Parents need to honor this, allowing children to test out instruments for themselves. This book does help a parent narrow down the range of instruments.
October 24, 2013
It probably would have helped if I'd read this before I signed Max up for piano lessons. Oh well. I'd definitely recommend this book if you have a kid and are thinking of starting them on music lessons of some sort.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews