When he hears the reward of that one song finally coming out correctly, he's encouraged to pursue his next short-term goal. It also allows a child to set short-term goals for himself and experience the joy of accomplishment. Learning to play an instrument can help teach a child to have more patience, as well, which is not a trait most young children are known for. Considering that children in elementary school are at an age when they're taking in a tremendous amount of information that will form the foundation of their education and higher learning, any activity that improves their ability to create and store memories is very important. Studies have found that musicians have a better memory than non-musicians.
The flutes on our list are not recorders, but rather what are called transverse flutes, which are a natural step forward in your child's musical education. As a wind instrument, it relies simply on the player's breath, rather than the vibration of certain materials coming together, making it relatively easy for a child to learn to play.
The flute became the instrument of choice typically because it is small enough to be manipulated by the hands of a child. This is because school administrators understand the benefits that come from learning to play an instrument. Learning to play the recorder is mandatory in many elementary schools across America. If you have children, then you know at some point during their elementary school years, you can count on the jarring but also endearing sound of them learning to play the recorder - a kind of flute - wafting through the halls of your home. In all honesty, the vast majority of what Yamaha makes is of very good quality, whether you're looking at a beginner or high-end trumpet, a baritone horn, a saxophone, a french horn, or especially a keyboard. It, along with the Armstrong 104, not only make great beginner instruments, but can easily serve in the transition to more serious playing with the addition of a high-end head joint, which is one of the most important parts of the flute. The Yamaha YFL-222 is the perfect example of a tried-and-true design that promises to satisfy students and teachers alike. That said, there are a few models that are clearly superior, although they tend to cost a little more. And while Jupiter's woodwinds weren't always highly respected in the past, that's changed in recent years the Jupiter 511S is very much a quality flute, and provides another mid-range option for those who don't want to break the bank. The Pearl PF500 comes from a Japanese company that makes flutes and only flutes, and it incorporates some design elements that are usually reserved for high-end models. It's relatively affordable but still a passable instrument that many band leaders approve of. More recognizable brands tend to have more at stake when it comes to producing reliable instruments, and Conn-Selmer's Prelude FL711 is a good example of that. But all three of those may present issues for intermediate players. The Gemeinhardt 1SP will last a bit longer than the Jean Paul, and its more finely made cousin the Gemeinhardt 2SP even longer.
The Jean Paul FL-220 is one of the least expensive options that's actually more than a toy, although once a student reaches even moderate proficiency, you'll probably want to upgrade. Flutes are precision-made instruments, so it's important to understand that you can't just pay as little as possible for one and expect to get a working and long-lasting unit.