I know, I know, different instruments depending on different people, But to make enemies, I think the recorder is a dreadful instrument to start on, it is so shrill and bitty. The piano is fearsomely difficult.   My vote is for the mbira (thumb piano) -- I was in a music shop the other day, and there were five year olds playing quite happily on the mbira -- it has percussion, tinkly tunes, and you can make very sophisticated melodies with your hands, and you can carry it around. I think the saxophone would be next -- you can make all kinds of big noise really easy, much better than a recorder, Ukelele? Harmonica is pretty good, though the blues is a bit tricky.....

yours,

Peter T.