TODAY'S TOPIC: If you could learn how to play a musical instrument, which one would you choose and why? What song would you like to learn to play first?

If I could play a musical instrument it would be the guitar. I would pick the guitar because it seems like a really fun instrument to play and you can play it anywhere. It is easy to carry around with you and it's not too big. You can play it by yourself or in a band or just with a couple of people for fun. I also picked it because there are so many really great guitar players like Eddie Van Halen, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Keith Richards. You can also play lots of different kinds of music with the guitar. The song I would want to play if I learned to play the guitar would be "Can't Buy Me Love" by the Beatles. I would want to play this song because I like it so much. I think that it's a cool song. I love listening to music and maybe one day I will be able to play, too.
Jack Samuels, 11
Oakwood School
North Hollywood

If I could play any musical instrument it would be a flute because it makes beautiful music and soft music. I will play it at my house any time my family wants me to. When I get good, I want to play in an orchestra.
Jennifer Hernandez, 8
San Fernando Elementary
San Fernando

If I could play any instrument I would play the piano. For me, the piano is so underrated at times but it has such an effect on people just by playing it well. The one song I would play would be "Eleanor Rigby" by the Beatles. It is one of my favorite songs. Piano is such a beautiful thing. I wish to be able to play it somewhere, somehow, in my lifetime.
Gabe Randolph, 12
Oakwood School
North Hollywood

The instrument I would play is the electric guitar because I could make a band and play on a stage and in a concert. I want to play an electric guitar so I could show my family and make them happy.
Gabriel Perez, 8
San Fernando Elementary
San Fernando

I played the flute last year but I really wanted to learn how to play the guitar so over the summer, I started guitar lessons. I have learned a few chords and one scale. I have learned how to play "Jingle Bells," "I Have a Little Dreidel" and "Feliz Navidad." I would really like to learn the song "Help" by the Beatles because it is one of my favorite songs and I have a lot of memories with that song and to be able to play it on the guitar would be awesome.
Madison Martinez, 12
Oakwood School
North Hollywood

If I could play any musical instrument, I would play the trumpet. The first song I would learn is "You Give Me Fever" by Peggy Lee.
Maddison Rotner, 11
Oakwood School
North Hollywood

I already play an instrument. I play the piano. I would like to learn to play the guitar. I think that playing the guitar can be an advantage at parties. The first song I would learn to play would be "Surfin' USA" by the Beach Boys. I think that would be a great song to play.
Isabelle Khait, 11
Oakwood School
North Hollywood

If I could play any musical instrument it will be the drums. When I was six years old, I was drumming on my desk in first grade and got in trouble. Then, when I was in second grade, I was sent to the principal's office because I was drumming on my desk. Now I am in the third grade and I drummed on my desk but I didn't get in trouble. My teacher said, "Let's all make drums and then we can all tap in rhythm."
Felix Santos, 8
San Fernando Elementary
San Fernando

If I could play any instrument it would be the drums because I had so much fun with them and when I was three or four, when I had some, I was so bad that my mom thought my dog was knocking everything down. I want to be in a band.
Patrick Doucette, 8
San Fernando Elementary
San Fernando

COMING UP: February is Black History Month. Tell us briefly about an African American, past or present, whom you admire. Why? Draw a picture of this person.

Parents and teachers should make sure that the student's name, address, age and school are CLEARLY PRINTED on the letters and the backs of drawings.
Pictures should be drawn using black or dark blue ink on white, unlined paper.

Drawings must be no larger than a standard, 8 1/2-by-11 inch sheet of paper.

The deadline is Jan. 29 and letters will be posted Feb. 5. Letters received after the deadline cannot be considered.

Send entries to Kids' Daily News, P.O. Box 4200, Woodland Hills, CA 91365-4200.