xylophone for 6 month old

[suvit]

I am planning to buy xylophone for my baby. I really like Hohner kid's xylophone.
http://www.amazon.com/Hohner-Kids-MS4001-Musical-Shaker/dp/B000KIHCB2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1369564890&sr=8-3&keywords=hohner+xylophone
http://www.amazon.com/Hohner-Kids-Glockenspiel-Xylophone-Songbook/dp/B000QJ02Q2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1369564890&sr=8-2&keywords=hohner+xylophone
But at the same time I want to buy that has perfect pitch. Any suggestion on which brand xylophone is better?

[Tamsyn]

Well, the second one does say that it was precision tuned in Germany, so you should be good to go as far as pitch goes.  On the other hand, the first link has more instruments.  One reviewer of the first one said that her toddler's finger got stuck in the xylophone and it cut his finger, so watch out for that if you get it.

Here's another alternative:  https://www.google.com/shopping/product/14947630366334164095?q=glockenspiel&client=firefox-a&hs=2uc&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.47008514,d.cGE&biw=1333&bih=664&sa=X&ei=ABWiUZnvLuOTiQK-k4DADQ&ved=0CHUQ8wIwAA

I've stumbled across a lot of different glockenspiels, and most of them have been tuned well.  The only ones I've found that were out of tune were toys shaped like an alligator or something like that.  I've seen 3 different alligator glocks at different places, same brand, and one was in tune, one wasn't.  The cheap ones at KMart or WalMart are often out of tune.  Oddly enough, the one's I've stumbled across at thrift stores are usually very good.

The glockenspiel I bought is an Orff one, and is more expensive.  http://www.wwbw.com/Sonor-Primary-Line-FSC-Soprano-Glockenspiel-H03011-i1547530.wwbw?source=TWWRWXGP&kwid=productads-plaid^41566206666-sku^H03011.001@ADL4wwbw-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^17050093626.  I don't use it half as much as I thought I would.  :p  The benefit of this glockenspiel is that it is orchestra quality, and has been used during Christmas church meetings.  It's got a very loud, clear sound.  Also, individual keys can easily be taken off, so you can take out the notes that are not in a song, making it harder to play wrong notes and easier to play right ones.  You can put the pentatonic scale on (C, D, E, G, A, C, for example), which has no dissonant intervals, and is good for exploration.  It's a high quality instrument and I do plan on putting it to better use in the future, so I don't regret the purchase, but only buy it if you have the budget for it.  A cheaper glock will probably fit your needs just fine.  It's just the one I chose to buy.  I've been thinking about buying a cheaper one too for the toy closet.

Good luck!  I think a glockenspiel is a fantastic toy for little ones!

[suvit]

Hi Tamsyn I read one of your previous posts on xylophone and perfect pitch. Didn't know which brand you were using. Thank you for the detailed info.
 I was tempted with this one because it has more toy instruments with it
http://www.amazon.com/Hohner-Kids-MS4001-Musical-Shaker/dp/B000KIHCB2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1369564890&sr=8-3&keywords=hohner+xylophone

This one on the other hand says it is well tuned.
http://www.amazon.com/Hohner-Kids-Glockenspiel-Xylophone-Songbook/dp/B000QJ02Q2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1369564890&sr=8-2&keywords=hohner+xylophone

Having said that the one you suggested would be perfect I guess if i want to teach my kid perfect pitch
http://www.wwbw.com/Sonor-Primary-Line-FSC-Soprano-Glockenspiel-H03011-i1547530.wwbw?source=TWWRWXGP&kwid=productads-plaid. Its bit pricey but I want to use the right instrument since its very important to teach the kid perfect pitch. What is your opinion on tuning forks? Do you know of any brand that is good?
Thank you

[Tamsyn]

I don't have much experience with tuning forks, but I know they use them in TweedleWink schools. Here's a nice little article. 
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=346508038716870&set=a.346507722050235.86390.157482497619426&type=1&theater

I'm going to throw another alternative out there that I learned about when I was working with the local children's choir.  They're called choirchimes.  Again, they're pricey, but if you are looking to start a choir, could use them in a local choir, or you simply have the budget, they are a good choice.  I'm throwing it out there not so much for you, but for anyone else who might find the thread whose circumstances may be different.  Putting all the options on the table so to speak.  They sound as clean as bells but are more durable and kid-friendly- you don't have to wear gloves or worry about fingerprints altering the pitch like you do with bells.
http://www.malmark.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=154_171&sort=20a&page=1
I have a C4, D4, G4, and A4 choir chime.  I bought the D4, G4, and A4 because D major is the easiest key for children to sing in, and with a D, G, and A, I can play them for the primary chords.  (I, IV, and V, or if you're using movable do, think Do-Mi-So, Fa-La-Do, So-Ti-Re).  The C4 was a gift.  Anyway, by playing those chimes during a song on those chords, (a "D" for a D chord, an "A" for an A chord) it makes a nice accompaniment that helps kids stay in tune while they're singing- it's better than a capella.  You can do the same thing with tuning forks or a glockenspiel, and I often do.  Hmm, I'll make a video this week because it would be easier to show you than tell you. 

Good luck.  As far as teaching perfect pitch, you should be fine with the well-tuned glockenspiel.  The other one with the other percussion instruments might be great too, you're just taking a risk that it won't be.

[suvit]

Thanks a lot. Choirchimes are very expensive but good
to know the alternative. I will try the glockenspiel you suggested.
Look forward to your video send me the link when you post it.

[Shifra]

My son participated in Kindermusik for the Young Child, which is a program for 4-7 year old kids, and he got as part of the program a Glockenspiel http://store.kindermusik.com/p-302-kindermusik-glockenspiel.aspx (made by Sonor), which I believe is tuned very well. I use it myself to review the pitches from Little Musician. It's not too expensive (although I can't speak for how much shipping will be), so you may want to check it out.

[suvit]

Thank you shifra. Actually I bought the same glockenspiel(Sonor )  you suggested three months back.  We love it. 

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