WHY LEARNING ANY INSTRUMENT SETS YOUR CHILD UP FOR MUSICAL SUCCESS

Hawaii MusicWorks

(A gentle reminder that no time spent learning music is ever wasted)

Every so often, a parent will ask me:

“What if they pick the wrong instrument?”

Or,

“What if we commit to piano and later they want to do drums?”

First of all — I get it. As a parent, I know how much time and energy (and yes, money!) goes into music lessons. You want to get it right. You want to make sure the effort pays off.

But here’s the truth that’s helped me — both as a mom and as someone who runs a music school:

🎶 There is no “wrong” instrument to start with.

Because learning music is learning music — and it all builds on the same foundation.

The Building Blocks Are the Same
When your child learns piano, or voice, or ukulele, or drums, they’re not just learning that instrument. They’re learning:
  • Rhythm (how to count, feel the beat, keep time)
  • Tempo (how fast or slow a piece should go)
  • Time (when to come in, when to pause, when to wait)
  • Listening (to themselves, to others, to the whole sound)
  • Coordination (hands, feet, voice — sometimes all at once!)
  • Musical awareness (dynamics, patterns, phrasing, flow)
These skills transfer beautifully from one instrument to another.

So the drummer who once took piano has a stronger sense of musicality.

The singer who plays guitar understands harmony better.

The bassist who started on drums locks into grooves like a pro.

The keyboardist who switches to voice already knows how to read music and follow a beat.

It’s all connected.

Switching Isn’t Failing — It’s Evolving
Kids grow. Interests shift. That’s part of the process. But when a student decides to try something new, they’re not starting from scratch — they’re building on what they already know.

They’re starting the second chapter of their musical story, and chapter one gave them the tools to move forward with confidence.

This is why we always say:

🎵 There’s never a wasted moment in music.
It all counts. It all adds up.

So, Where Should They Start?

Anywhere.

Seriously.

Pick the one they’re most excited about. The one they ask about. Or the one that seems like a good match for their age or personality (we can help with that, too).

If they stick with it forever? Amazing.

If they pivot later? Also amazing.

What matters most is that they start. Because every step in music builds skills, confidence, and creativity that go way beyond just learning an instrument.

Final Thought (From One Music Mom to Another)
I know it can feel scary to pick a starting point. But you really can’t go wrong.

Whether your child begins on keyboard or voice or drums or bass, they’re gaining something valuable. Something lasting. Something that will travel with them into the next instrument — and maybe even into the rest of their life.

So let’s take the pressure off choosing “the right one.”

Let’s just begin. ❤️

With music and encouragement,

Aunty Dale & the Hawaii MusicWorks Team