DO WE REALLY NEED TO BUY AN INSTRUMENT RIGHT AWAY?
Hawaii MusicWorks
Why waiting can hold your child back more than you think
If you’ve ever said,
“Let’s wait and see if they like lessons before we buy an instrument,” you’re not alone — and I don’t blame you!
Music Is Like Any Other Skill
Imagine putting your child in soccer but telling them they can only touch the ball at practice once a week. Or signing them up for swim lessons but not letting them get near a pool except during class.
Lessons Without Practice = Stuck in Neutral
In Group Classes, It’s Even Tougher
If your child is in a group class and doesn’t have access to an instrument during the week, they’ll start to feel it fast.
So, What Should You Do?
Final Thought: Invest in the Connection
“Let’s wait and see if they like lessons before we buy an instrument,” you’re not alone — and I don’t blame you!
Music lessons are a commitment. You want to be sure your child enjoys it before making a bigger investment. Totally reasonable, right?
Well… yes and no.
Here’s the thing most parents don’t realize — and I say this with so much love:
Without an instrument at home, it’s really
hard for a child to succeed.
Music Is Like Any Other Skill
Imagine putting your child in soccer but telling them they can only touch the ball at practice once a week. Or signing them up for swim lessons but not letting them get near a pool except during class.
They wouldn’t improve.
They wouldn’t gain confidence.
They might feel embarrassed if they were always behind the others.
That’s exactly what happens when a child comes to music class but doesn’t have an instrument at home.
Lessons Without Practice = Stuck in Neutral
In music, practice isn’t extra
— it’s essential.
That’s where the real
growth happens. That’s when things finally click. That’s where they go from “this is hard” to “hey, I can play something!”
When a child only touches an instrument once a week at their lesson, it’s like starting from scratch every time.
They don’t get to feel success.
They don’t get to build momentum.
And most importantly — they don’t get to connect with the music.
We want them to light up with excitement when they figure out a new chord or beat. We want them to feel proud when they can play something. That only happens with time spent at home, just them and their instrument.
In Group Classes, It’s Even Tougher
If your child is in a group class and doesn’t have access to an instrument during the week, they’ll start to feel it fast.
- Other kids start pulling ahead.
- The class moves on.
- Your child struggles to keep up.
Some kids push through. But many start to disconnect, lose interest, or feel defeated — not because they don’t like
music, but because they never had the tools to really try.
So, What Should You Do?
🎹 Get a keyboard.
🎸 Pick up that guitar or bass.
🥁 Find a practice pad or entry-level drum kit.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. It doesn’t have to be the final instrument. But having something
at home gives your child the best shot at success — and joy.
You don’t need to go big right away. We’re happy to guide you to budget-friendly options that make sense for your family and your child’s level.
Final Thought: Invest in the Connection
When you give your child an instrument, you’re not just investing in “stuff."
You’re investing in their growth.
In their confidence.
In their ability to express themselves.
In their ability to fall in love with music — on their own time.
And that, my fellow music parents, is what it’s all about. ❤️
With support,
Aunty Dale & the Hawaii MusicWorks Team