My daughter really wants to play an instrument. I have been hesitant to let her because I am afraid she won't make up her mind. You are right though, I could always sell them if she doesn't like them.

They do offer renting them at her school as well, but it is almost cheaper to buy an instrument.

Part of learning new things for any age is repetition. I never liked veggies until I knew they could be fun. Just saying, what works for one might not work for another but anytime you can make learning fun, its a good thing.

...or even continue to hand the instruments down! I have an old concertina (a type of accordion with buttons instead of keys and a tenor range) that was owned by my great-grandfather, who passed it down to his son, who played it, and to my father, who kept it in a box. And now I play it. It's really cool having a vintage instrument! You never know how things will play out.

i guess the earlier the better! as long as he can read the chords/notes then its better for whom for a tutorial ..