Sidney Bertram first tried out drums as a five-year-old. Then, at six-and-a-half, he turned his hand to piano. And last year he picked up his father's trumpet and played that.

But the 10-year-old hardly hesitates when asked to name his favourite instrument.

Sidney Bertram, 10, has played the trumpet for about a year. Credit:Jesse Marlow

"Piano," he says. "I find it a lot easier to memorise my pieces for piano."

With his grade one exam fast approaching, his weekly music lessons have started to focus on the piece he will play. He is also practicing his sight reading and scales six days a week.