Synths or other instruments for a very young child

[krosancolossus]

Hi folks,

Not sure where to put this really but will start here. We've got a 10 month old in the house at the moment who is obsessed with my synths and guitar pedals. However she finds them a little frustrating after a time because not all the controls "do something" when you are less than a year old! Also, some of them are frankly too expensive to risk vomit/other fluids

I've been looking for something to encourage her, and there's a few sort of "baby synth" options out there and some other acoustic instrument options but honestly I'm a new dad and a bit lost. I don't want to overpay for something that's a gimmick, but at the same time nice bright colours and each control doing something would be something she'd love. I don't want something cartoon themed or that just plays songs, she's got enough of those sort of things, looking for something more "real".

Has anyone got any experience or suggestions of things both electronic, or otherwise I could buy her that aren't too much money (in case she hates it) and are available in the UK/EU?

[Impostor]

Hi folks,

Not sure where to put this really but will start here. We've got a 10 month old in the house at the moment who is obsessed with my synths and guitar pedals. However she finds them a little frustrating after a time because not all the controls "do something" when you are less than a year old! Also, some of them are frankly too expensive to risk vomit/other fluids :)

I've been looking for something to encourage her, and there's a few sort of "baby synth" options out there and some other acoustic instrument options but honestly I'm a new dad and a bit lost. I don't want to overpay for something that's a gimmick, but at the same time nice bright colours and each control doing something would be something she'd love. I don't want something cartoon themed or that just plays songs, she's got enough of those sort of things, looking for something more "real".

Has anyone got any experience or suggestions of things both electronic, or otherwise I could buy her that aren't too much money (in case she hates it) and are available in the UK/EU?

I think synths are too abstract for toddlers. Just get her a xylophone which she can throw with if frustrated. All experiences count, the destructive the most!

[nadir]

looks "funny", but too expensive, imho

https://www.thomann.co.uk/dato_duo.htm

[asbak]

Get a Yamaha baroque recorder and have her learn the basics of music and playing an instrument. (May require a teacher unless you already know how to play.)

It's costs 10 to 15 bucks for an OK quality plastic model which can stand up to rough handling.

Take or leave my view, but imo it is more useful to learn about playing music first, and fiddle with gadgets later.

[krosancolossus]

Hi folks,

Not sure where to put this really but will start here. We've got a 10 month old in the house at the moment who is obsessed with my synths and guitar pedals. However she finds them a little frustrating after a time because not all the controls "do something" when you are less than a year old! Also, some of them are frankly too expensive to risk vomit/other fluids

I've been looking for something to encourage her, and there's a few sort of "baby synth" options out there and some other acoustic instrument options but honestly I'm a new dad and a bit lost. I don't want to overpay for something that's a gimmick, but at the same time nice bright colours and each control doing something would be something she'd love. I don't want something cartoon themed or that just plays songs, she's got enough of those sort of things, looking for something more "real".

Has anyone got any experience or suggestions of things both electronic, or otherwise I could buy her that aren't too much money (in case she hates it) and are available in the UK/EU?

I think synths are too abstract for toddlers. Just get her a xylophone which she can throw with if frustrated. All experiences count, the destructive the most!

She's got two of those, of varying sizes, she likes the things that make the bleeping noises

[krosancolossus]

Get a Yamaha baroque recorder and have her learn the basics of music and playing an instrument. (May require a teacher unless you already know how to play.)

It's costs 10 to 15 bucks for an OK quality plastic model which can stand up to rough handling.

Take or leave my view, but imo it is more useful to learn about playing music first, and fiddle with gadgets later.

Absolutely, but she's far too young at the moment for that

[krosancolossus]

looks "funny", but too expensive, imho

https://www.thomann.co.uk/dato_duo.htm

Yes, I had spotted that, it's a lot of money for what it is!

[nadir]

looks "funny", but too expensive, imho

https://www.thomann.co.uk/dato_duo.htm

Yes, I had spotted that, it's a lot of money for what it is!

A pity. For a good price i would buy it immediatly. For myself

[MusicMan74]

Why not build your own fun midi controller for $50 USD:
https://makeymakey.com/

Maybe something simple your young child can slap or hit involving tin foil on cardboard or mouse pads or Play-Doh....
https://www.teachingexpertise.com/class ... key-games/

Other ideas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfQqh7iCcOU

[krosancolossus]

Why not build your own fun midi controller for $50 USD:
https://makeymakey.com/

Maybe something simple your young child can slap or hit involving tin foil on cardboard or mouse pads or Play-Doh....
https://www.teachingexpertise.com/class ... key-games/

Other ideas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfQqh7iCcOU

Oh very cool! Will bookmark

[krosancolossus]

looks "funny", but too expensive, imho

https://www.thomann.co.uk/dato_duo.htm

Yes, I had spotted that, it's a lot of money for what it is!

A pity. For a good price i would buy it immediatly. For myself

Yes, I had considered buying it for me and she can borrow it

[GMaq]

Lots of good ideas!

I will say at 10 months interests can change pretty quickly and the beep fascination could morph into a completely different interest quite suddenly. Their brains develop quickly like their diaper and pajama sizes change quickly.. Whatever you do don't pin hopes (or invest much cash) on anything being a lifelong interest just yet..

My son is now a drummer with steady work and even at age 12 he would live on the drums for a few months at a time, then Video games for a few months then his dirt bike for a few months, it would keep me in suspense whether the musical interest would stick or not... It did, but you never know... *shrugs

[glowrak guy]

We've got a 10 month old in the house

Get a pair of hangdrums/tongue drums, good enough for you, one in a major key, one in a minor key.
Plenty of small ones on the market. Keep a supply of various mallets