Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Has your child been asking about music lessons? Have you worried about how it will go? Learning how to play an instrument will help build your child’s self-esteem and self-concept. But what types of instruments will work best with your child’s learning style? In today’s post, we’ll discuss what you should consider when selecting an instrument. Read more to answer the question, “What is a good instrument for a dyslexic child to learn?”
This post uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the article.
What to Think About When Selecting a Good Instrument for Your Dyslexic Child to Learn
“What is a good instrument for a dyslexic child to learn?” You have a few things you need to think about before making a final decision. Such as:
- What instrument does your child love? If your child hates his (or her) instrument, he won’t want to practice. Therefore, you need to find an instrument that gets him excited about playing. If he loves his instrument, everything becomes easier.
- What kind of instrument can your child succeed at? I’ve found that if you use color coding, there will be few barriers when choosing an instrument. For example, in the beginning stages of learning, guitar will be harder to play than piano. However, if the student loves the guitar and is motivated to practice, color coding will help him to learn the instrument. Having said this, as a first instrument, the piano can be a really good choice. Because in the early stages, it will be really easy to learn if you use color coding.
- A hybrid approach? Another tactic would be to start your child on an easier to learn instrument with the goal of switching to the preferred instrument down the road. (I’ve done this, where I started a student on piano and later he learned guitar.) In practice, the student will sometimes decide to switch to the preferred instrument. Other times he’ll decide to stick with the instrument he started on. So, try to find the balance between the instrument your child loves vs the instrument that will let him succeed.
In addition, the above questions will also be relevant for parents of children with ADD, ASD, LD, autism, and other special needs.
The Adapted Score and Selecting a Good Instrument for Your Dyslexic Child to Learn
“What is a good instrument for a dyslexic child to learn?” In some ways it’ll be less about the instrument and more about the teaching approach.
Over the years, I’ve had a lot of success teaching kids with LD and special needs to read music. Regardless of the instrument, color coding the notes and rhythms will help your child learn music. For more on the adapted score:
- How to Color Code Music Notes
- Playing the Piano with Color Coded Notes
- Playing Piano with Color Coded Left Hand Notes
- How to Color Code Guitar Tab
- Color Coded Quarter Note Clapping
With patience and the right support, your child can have a fun and fulfilling musical experience.
Concluding Thoughts to “What Is a Good Instrument for a Dyslexic Child to Learn?”
I know you probably hoped I’d tell you the exact instrument your child should learn. However, when it comes to musical instruments a one-size-fits-all answer don’t exist. Sometimes a kid won’t even know what instrument to choose until he gets to the music store and falls in love with one.
When you’ve got an instrument your child loves coupled with multisensory teaching strategies, you’ll have set up your child for success. And that’s how you find the right instrument for your dyslexic child to learn.
© 2023 Geoffrey Keith
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Glossary
12 Simile Examples That Aren’t Cliches (How to Write Them)
Are you unsure about how similes work? Do all the similes you write seem trite? If you want your writing to move people, you need to make sure that you use original imagery that has power and presence. Read “12 Simile Examples That Aren’t Cliches (How to Write Them)” to find out how it works. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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Sound Like a Rock Star with Open G Tuning
Do you want to capture the sound of 70s rock guitar? Amp settings, effects, pickups, and strings all play a role in crafting your guitar sound. Nevertheless, the tuning you choose remains an important factor in your guitar sound that you might have overlooked. You will also learn the song “Brown Sugar.” Read more to learn how to sound like a rock star with open G tuning. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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Can I Learn to Play Piano with a Mini Key Keyboard?
“Can I learn to play piano with a mini key keyboard?” Electronic keyboards come in all sizes, including keyboards that have different sized keys. If your keyboard has keys that are smaller than an adult finger, it has mini keys. Will mini key keyboards be a good choice for practicing for your piano lessons? Read more to find out. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
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How Do I Switch from Chromatic Shaped Notes to Standard Notation – Part 3
Do you want to learn how to transition from shape notes to standard notation? Have you ever wondered when you should use the special solfege syllables for sharp and flat notes? Standard notation gives you clues on when to use the diatonic solfege syllables versus the chromatic syllables. Read more to learn the answer to the question, “How do I switch from chromatic shaped notes to standard notation?” Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
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