Should my child learn more than one instrument?

There’s a lot of debate on the internet as to whether it is best for your child to learn one, or two, or multiple instruments - so I thought I would add my 2c and experiences. Our son (and Daughter) learn two instruments, on top of the usual extra-curricula things that all kids do. We in no way enforce this, and actively support their love of music. If at any stage music becomes a chore, or your child completely loses interest - then it should be totally OK for them to take a break from one (or both) instruments. This is different, by the way, to allowing your child to pivot their hobbies at the drop of a hat, or to give excuses for not wanting to practice despite having clear goals.

In our experience, the benefits of learning the piano alongside the drums far outweigh the disbenefits/cons. To be transparent, we did not start our son in piano lessons at the same time as he started drums. We deliberately waited for him to master the basics (2 years) before adding on a second instrument. If your child is passionate about music, then learning piano or guitar alongside their drumming will expand their musical options - and even help make them better drummers.

My Son Playing an Top Notch Piano in Tokyo

The Benefits of Learning more than One instrument from a young Age

Musicality

Learning more than one instrument will provide your child with an appreciation of other sounds and how these work together to make music. The best drummers are able to pick up on nuances in not just the vocals, or baseline, but also intricacies in other instruments. They will work to emphasize these parts, and help to make others in the band shine. This awareness can typically only come when your child learns what it is like in another musician’s shoes.

You will also see your child rapidly grow their awareness of what is happening in different songs. Our son is now able to speak “musically” about what he hears on spotify, and is able to largely deconstruct his favourite songs and their various parts.

Broadened understanding of written music

If your child is learning the drums, there is a good chance that they are also learning to read drum notation. This is important as all of the rudiments, for example, are well documented. It will also empower your child to learn songs “note for note” - which will help them in later years when they take exams, or need to audition for selective schools (more to come on this soon). Learning to play another instrument, like the piano, deepens your child’s proficiency in reading music - which in turn makes them a better musician.

Contrast

Learning a second instrument opens your child’s world to a whole new range of sounds, styles, and genres. We have found that our son’s musical taste has broadened quite dramatically as a result of playing piano. Having both allows him to rock out on the drums, but then contrast this to jazz, blues, and classical music on the piano. He is now as much a fan of Tool as he is of Ben Folds. His drumming now also seems to fall in the middle - with Dave Matthews Band his current favourite.

Learning a different instrument also builds additional fine motor and cognitive skills that are quite different to playing just the drums.

Enjoyment

Why would you not want your child to truly enjoy music? Learning a second instrument literally doubles your enjoyment.

Rounded musicianship

While our son is still only 11, he is now auditioning for a selective high school - with the vision of becoming a professional musician. As such, even at his age, he is looking at employability and the advantages that having multiple instruments will have on his ability to achieve his dreams. Similar to the above, playing a second instrument will often force your child to learn (and appreciate) new styles, and genres. This is then immediately applicable to the drums, and opens up a whole new world of drumming to explore.

Ability to record and write their own music

While drums are a critical part of any band, they alone do not make music. If your child shows an interest in writing songs, then having a second instrument like the guitar, or piano, unlocks this door for them. As your child gets older, and assuming of course they continue learning, the ability to write music adds another layer that will greatly benefit their studies, and subsequent career. Writing songs is also a very satisfying hobby, and a great way for your child to express their emotions and lived experiences.

The Cons of learning more than One Instrument from a Young Age

Cost

Learning to play an instrument isn’t cheap. Not only do you have tuition to consider, but also the instruments, maintenance, accessories, upgrades, and transportation. It adds up quickly, and trust me when I tell you that these costs do not diminish over time. When you learn a second instrument, you effectively double your expenses.

Time

The single biggest gripe we hear in our house is “I don’t have enough time to do my homework, practice drums, and practice my piano!” - or “it’s not fair, most of my friends just watch youtube all night.” Well sadly, if you want to be a top musician - which to be clear is my son’s goal and not ours - you just have to suck it up. Learning any skill takes time, and learning two instruments doubles the amount of time you need to practice.

I have read many articles online saying that you should only learn a single instrument for this reason - or arguing that by spending all of your time learning only one instrument will see a doubling in progress. Let me be clear - there are only so many hours per day your child can focus on the one activity. My son taps out at 1 ½ - 2 hours of drums, and that is on a great day when I am jamming with him. He will, however, happily go and do another 30 minutes of piano on his own after that.

If anything, a second instrument expands the amount of time your child will rehearse music in total, which simply means they need to have that time available in the first place. As per the above benefits, practicing a second instrument will not take away from the drums, but rather contribute to your child becoming a better, more rounded musician.