When you are talking about size of musical instruments, you are really talking about strings, such as violin, viola, cello and bass. Now of course adults play on full size instruments, and working down the sizes from there, we have 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, and even 1/8th size for the smallest of the small children. The instrument needs to get fitted to your child by someone who knows what to look for. This is another reason to use a specialized music retailer, not the same place where you get your food or drugs!

Wind instruments do not come in various sizes. This is due to the physics of manufacturing these instruments, and the fact that smaller wind instruments would have a different pitch, unlike smaller strings which can keep the same pitch by adjusting the tension on the strings. Since wind instruments cannot be changed for size, this is one reason why most wind instrument players begin in grade 5 or 6, and not in grade 1 or 2.

Other aspects of instrument choice should be considered in consultation with your band or orchestra teacher. This discussion will centre around issues like the size of the student vs the size of the instrument, costs of the various instruments, and the requirements of the group. For example, a concert band does not sound like a concert band if everyone plays clarinet, nor does it sound like a concert band if no one plays clarinet! Talk to your music teacher, and attend any parent information meetings offered. You can best help your child by taking the time to inform yourself before important decisions are made.