Introducing Kids to Orchestra Instruments

Learning the sounds of different instruments is the first step to truly appreciating classical music. (Ferenc Szelepcsenyi/Shutterstock)

There are some pieces of classical music written for young people that, if used well, can have a big impact on kids’ appreciation for classical music and, more specifically, their knowledge of orchestra instruments.

The following pieces can be used in a variety of ways: You could not only start teaching your child the names of the sections of the orchestra (more on that later) but also have them listen to different segments, and you could either point out what things or feelings the sounds make you think of (if your child is younger) or pause after some segments and ask your kids what they themselves picture in their minds when they hear the different sounds.

A beginner’s tip: Don’t box your kids in. Allow them to listen creatively and imagine what they will, as the point is really to just have them engage with the music in a meaningful and enjoyable way. So, for example, when hearing flutes and piccolos, most people would say that, in some places, these instruments make them think of birds. But whatever comes to mind for your kids is fine.

And now for the specific pieces.

‘The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra’

First, there is Benjamin Britten’s “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.” Written in 1946 based on a 1695 tune from beloved British composer Henry Purcell, this piece is considered the gold standard in terms of educational orchestral pieces and continues to be widely performed for this very purpose. It was written at the request of the British Ministry of Education, in fact.

It introduces the sections of the orchestra and the individual instruments systematically but through a coherent piece of music.

There is a nicely done video recording of the piece by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. The video offers helpful introductions, animations, and instructive close-ups of each orchestral section as it’s featured. Great for teaching!

Another recommended video recording is that of the WDR Symphony Orchestra of Cologne, Germany. It, too, is filmed with young learners in mind. The video description box lists the timestamps for and names of each instrument’s section.

Take a look, and you will find that these videos help lower the bar to entry for parents who themselves may not know a lot about symphony orchestras, as the information is provided in clear English.

‘Peter and the Wolf’ and Recommendations

Another favorite for kids is Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf,” which some may be familiar with from Disney’s classic short film of the story. It is well worth looking up!

The film starts out by explaining that “each character in this tale is going to be represented by a different instrument of the orchestra.” It then proceeds to introduce the instruments one by one, and with that, a very kid-friendly intro to orchestral instruments begins.

Listening to “Peter and the Wolf” as a child was the way I got to know the beautiful and mysterious bassoon. And watching the “Peter and the Wolf” Disney film is something that certainly stays in a child’s mind.

Another delightful video rendition of “Peter and the Wolf” is also available online, rearranged for a woodwind quintet and performed by students from the Yale School of Music. It is again presented in a kid-friendly way, complete with animation. This version may be a better fit for really little ones who could be scared by some of the segments of the Disney film.

And lastly, there is a video picture book version of the story performed by the Israel Philharmonic and recommended here because of the very high quality of the audio recording (important if you want kids to like the audio in particular). Bonus: This one is narrated by legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman.

The End Goal

During the process of introducing these pieces to kids, it is good to keep in mind the final goal: to develop an understanding of and interest in classical music so that you will be able to introduce them to the musical greats—Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi, Handel, and the rest.

The best approach is to immerse children in the world of truly classical music. Uplifting, thought-provoking, and tonal music is healthy for the body and mind and connects us to the higher place from which such music comes.

Enjoy opening up this world of wonder to a new generation.