Learning to play a brass instrument is difficult.
Learning to play a brass instrument is challenging.
Learning to play a brass instrument is fun.
Brass instruments can be…intimidating to beginners. Yes, they are shiny, big, and beautiful, but simpler and smaller instruments can be the better approach for young children. And in a preschool or early-years setting, a tuba would be less instrument and more jungle gym!
As musicians ourselves, we wax lyrical about brass instruments. But we also understand that an easy introduction can create a lifelong love of brass.
So we have taken the top five results on Amazon for “brass instruments for kids” that are suitable for ages three and up. We will work down in order and list the pros and cons to help you discover the easiest brass instrument to play.
Milisten Kids Trumpet Music Toy
The product description of this trumpet insists that it “is sure to liven up any party” and is “a good birthday gift for the children, they will like it.” While we will let the reviews speak for themselves, the giveaway here is in the title. This seems more like a toy rather than a chance for kids to begin learning a brass instrument.
Pros:
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Cheap
Cons:
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Cheap construction
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Toy and not an instrument
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No learning resources
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Negative customer reviews/lack of product support
BRIO Flute Musical Instrument
Ok, we know…the flute is not a brass instrument. But the search results don’t lie, and this attractive wooden instrument is much more kid-friendly than our first result. This flute is suitable for children aged 18 months and up. It is small enough for young hands and its construction should last through those tough teething years. As an early introduction to making sounds, it is a good option. But, as a non-brass instrument that doesn’t teach any techniques, it is more of a tuneful toy.
Pros:
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Cheap
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Suitable for toddlers aged 18 months+
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Durable
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Fun and easy to create a sound
Cons:
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More of a toy than an instrument
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Not a brass sound
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Does not teach musical techniques
Yuemsh 9cm Hand Percussion Copper Cymbals
Again, when we searched for “brass instruments for kids”, this wasn’t exactly what we had in mind. But this hand percussion set is constructed from brass and copper, so they make our list. They also look easy to pick up and play with, making them a handy way of introducing kids to basic rhythm techniques. There are question marks over the quality of the construction, making them more of a toy than an instrument.
Pros:
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Cheap
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Hand percussion is a simple beginner musical instrument
Cons:
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More of a simple toy
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Questionable construction/durability
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Not a brass instrument
pInstrument pBuzz Plastic Kids Musical Instrument
We know a thing or two about the next instrument on our list: it’s the pBuzz! The pBuzz is designed for children aged three and up and is a completely new type of brass instrument. What is a pBuzz? It is a simplified trombone made to teach young learners the techniques and enjoyment of playing a brass instrument. To make a tune with the pBuzz, kids create a buzzing sound with their mouths and move the slider up and down to change the pitch. Although pBuzz is easier to play than a trombone, the techniques used make the transition to a bigger instrument a larger instrument simpler.
The pBuzz is manufactured from robust yet lightweight plastic, making it perfect for smaller hands. Is the pBuzz a brass instrument? It’s a plastic instrument that produces a fun sound like small brass instruments. It helps children develop their skills before they move to traditional brass instruments. The pBuzz also improves a child’s rhythm and coordination and boosts confidence.
Pros:
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Cheap
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Quality construction and durable
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Easy-to-follow resources and online videos are available
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Teaches brass instrument playing techniques
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Suitable for children aged three and up
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Comes in a range of colours
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Easy to clean and maintain
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Recyclable ABS
Cons:
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A brand new type of instrument
kuou 6Pcs Kazoo
Our final product is this collection of six colourful kazoos. Again, the kazoo is most definitely not a brass instrument. It is a popular starter instrument for kids and is easy to play. Kazoos can work well with other instruments, such as ukelele and guitar. But these particular kazoos appear to be more “toys” than instruments.
Pros:
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Cheap
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Easy to play
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Suitable for young learners
Cons:
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Limited progression
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Not a brass instrument
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Questionable quality and construction
That’s our top five: what is the easiest brass instrument to play?
Out of our selection, the easiest is probably the hand percussion or the wooden flute. But these aren’t brass instruments. The trumpet and kazoo are easy to play yet too simplistic to qualify as instruments, let alone as brass instruments.
That leaves us with the pBuzz. As a plastic instrument that is a brand-new design, does that make it an ideal instrument for preschoolers? Is the pBuzz the easiest brass instrument to play?
Yes. And no.
Yes, because the pBuzz is easy to play and teaches young children the basics of playing brass. No, because this isn’t a trumpet or a tuba: it’s a pBuzz.
That’s the point.
Trumpets and tubas are not designed for children aged three and up: they are for more advanced learners and adults.
Many of our pInstruments - the pBone, the pTrumpet, and so on - are designed for children around the ages of six to eight. They are lightweight and easier to pick up and play than their respective brass versions. But they do need musical understanding and tuition.
The pBuzz is the starter instrument for children before this stage in their development. It is there to bridge the gap and make the next brass instrument an enjoyable, easier experience.
Click here to buy a pBuzz from Amazon.
Check out our review round-up for the buzz here!
Still looking for more instruments for younger children? Click here for seven more ideas for your little learner to try!
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