The qanún or kanun (Arabic قانون qânûn, from Greek κανων ‘measuring rod rule’ akin to καννα ‘cane’) is a string instrument found in Near Eastern traditional music based on Maqamat. Playing the drums gives kids the freedom to sit or to stand and move while playing.Read about the instruments used by Primary Music’s artists: Kanun But it builds kids’ strength as they play.ĭrumming can actually help kids who have motor skill issues learn to control their movements. It requires some arm, core and lower-body strength to begin with. Playing drums can be a full-body workout. Good fine motor skills aren’t required to hit a conga drum with the palm, or even to hold a snare drum stick. Good posture and core strength make playing easier, but that can come with practice. Each hand will be playing a different combination of notes, often using different rhythms. Kids need to use both hands at once to play. Working the pedals requires minor foot and leg strength. It requires moderate arm strength and endurance to hit the keys. Playing the piano requires finger strength and dexterity. That encourages controlled breathing and good posture. The player can sit and balance the horn on one thigh. It supports development of good core strength. The French horn doesn’t require strong arm strength because of how it’s positioned when played. The mouthpiece is small, and kids need to use fine motor control to learn the mouth arrangement. The right-hand keys are spaced closely together, requiring the player to have fine motor coordination. The left hand needs to be large enough to grip the instrument. Playing the French horn requires some tricky fine motor skills. The player needs to have strong gross motor skills to maneuver the slide in and out in coordination with breathing.Ĭoordinating fine and gross motor skills in combination may be hard for some kids. This may not require the fine motor skills needed for the complicated fingering patterns of other instruments. To change a trombone’s pitch, the player moves the slide in and out. The child needs to be able to breathe strongly and with control, in and out, using diaphragm muscles. That can help strengthen the fine motor skills of the mouth. To make a sound, kids blow air through almost closed lips. The trumpet only requires the use of three fingers, so it may be easier to play than woodwind instruments. This can give support to kids with less upper-body strength.Ī neck strap keeps the sax from dropping if strength, balance or coordination are issues. Though these instruments are not heavy, kids still need to have shoulder and arm strength to hold them up for extended periods.Ĭlosed keys make it easier to play than recorder or clarinet.Ī neck strap holds the saxophone upright while the child plays it. These have closed keys, which are easier than open ones because kids don’t have to put their fingers precisely over the holes. Playing woodwind instruments demands whole-body coordination. Over time, this can increase core strength. Playing these instruments requires good sitting and standing posture. These have open finger holes that have to be covered. Kids who have trouble with fine motor skills might find this tricky.
This is the ability to move fingers quickly and independently on different keys. This provides options for kids with balance and coordination issues. It can be played sitting down or standing up. Electric guitars are somewhat easier to play.Ī guitar can feel heavy, but you can add a strap to help support the guitar’s weight and bulk. This can be helpful for kids who sway or fidget while standing.Īcoustic guitars require firm picking and fingering techniques. These instruments can feel heavy and bulky, so keep your child’s size and strength in mind when considering them.Ĭello is played sitting down. The horizontal movement of the bowing arm may be easier for some kids with who struggle with gross motor skills. The player must reach up and down a longer fingerboard. The strings on these larger instruments take greater strength to push down.
But there is more space to maneuver when playing. These also require strong fine motor skills to hold the bow, pluck strings and place fingers precisely. String instruments require (and can help develop) a gross motor skill called “bilateral integration.” This is the ability to use both sides of the body together in a coordinated way. Fingers need to be placed carefully for the notes to be in tune. Kids need to hold the bow precisely and sometimes pluck the strings.
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