First of all let me thank you for any advice you give. I am not a musical person but would like my kids to be. I have 6 children, one of which is in college. This Christmas we gifted my son a years worth of private lessons and a nice guitar before he heads off to college next year. My teen is doing a great job of teaching herself to play the ukulele using online tutorials. My question is for my younger three children, 11, 8, and 6. They have all expressed interest in learning to play an instrument but it is my 11 year old that has more specific tastes. She is interested in fiddle, banjo, and mandolin. A friend gifted us a beginner set of children's drums which I have to wait until after Christmas to find room to unbox and set up. Drums have never been mentioned as an interest and I am beyond rhythmically challenged so they baffle me as to their difficulty especially with online tutorials. So my dilemma is should I convince my 11 year old to try the drums or should I start her with one of the instruments she prefers? If the latter, I could allow my younger children to try the drums. Regardless of which instruments I choose, it would have to be relatively cheap lessons online for the time being. Sharing instruments, other than the drums, isn't really an option either for various reasons. I know this is a mandolin forum and my question is more than mandolin but I am hoping you can guide me in the right direction. Since I am here, you may have guessed that I am leaning toward purchasing the mandolin for 11 year old but have no knowledge of whether it is something a child can learn from online lessons or if another option would be better.
Thanks again for any advice.
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