Hi Moms!
I am wanting to sign my children up for music lessons, but I don't know when to start them. I don't want to be a fanatic and start the children too early but I do want them to start. I really feel there is a huge advantage in children that are musically trained than those who are not. My husband and his entire family play instruments, but they didn't start until Jr. High which I think is too late. Any advice???
Also how do you help them choose what they want to play?
Thank you,
J.
I agree, piano is the best instrument to start with. Later on they can figure out what they like and change. Learning how to play piano will help them learn any instrument they choose!
you can start piano lessons as early as 7 or 8. it is the best way to start. they can learn to read music then and any instrument they go to from there will be easier. especially if they are inclined to go to drums. in a public school they want at least 2 years of piano or no chance of them going to drums. good luck
S.
If your children are preschoolers, unless they have the discipline and dedication to practice, practice, practice, it is much too early to start them on any kind of lessons. I'm under the impression that, although you can start a child younger, 8 years is a good age for girls and closer to 10 years is a good age for boys. Someone may have a difference of opinion. Exposing your children to "music and play/dance-type" programs for preschoolers is very beneficial. The Gymboree store offers these kinds of programs.
As far as choosing what type of instrument, I think, really depends on the child. As much as I would love to see my children play the piano, I don't know that it's realistic to choose an instrument unless you really see that desire. You can move that desire along by getting them a decent keyboard, if you don't have a piano, or buying a particular instrument and see where that goes. Just keep exposing them to various instruments. Especially if Dad plays an instrument, your children may desire to go in his footsteps, whatever the instrument is that he plays.
My father was a professional pianist and we inherited his piano when he died. Sadly, the piano sits, unplayed. I would love my children to take piano lessons but the interest is not there. However, my son is a guitar-man. Almost 8 years ago, my sister bought his first acoustic guitar, for a Christmas present, when he was 3 years old. It's long gone but since then, he has acquired an electric guitar & amp and an acoustic. He has taken lessons and loves jamming with his friends. He also has a keyboard in his room. He even makes a recorder sound good. My daughter loves singing and chorus but loved dance at an early age. A variety of music resounds in our home!
I agree that music is soooo important! Whenever you decide on lessons, your child's success really depends on the maturity of your child, the right teacher to motivate your child, the right environment and encouragement for them to practice (it's hard on the ears, at first!) and (with a little nudging) helping them choose a desirable instrument that they will stick with for a while.
That's a really interesting topic! It was in fourth grade at my public school district that all children were introduced to the band & orchestra instruments and offered the opportunity to select an instrument and take band/orchestra as a class from 4th-8th grade. I grew up with a piano in our home, so I opted to take private piano lessons. We were all 8 or 9 years old in fourth grade back then.
Many years ago I asked my Mom why she didn't put me in lessons earlier (she started lessons when she was very young -- 6 I think) and she believed that a child should not take on the responsibility of an instrument until the child is able to make the choice herself and follow-through the practice responsibilities with some level of independence. Was 8 or 9 years old the magic number? I wish I knew. But that's the age my Mom and our public school district had decided upon.
My children's school offered Suzuki, an early childhood program to learn an instrument.They start in Kindergarten.
I believe 5 is a great age.But they really wanted to learn the Violin,that's why I signed them up.
My son quit in 4th grade my daughter is still playing for 8 years know.
My son is 19 months old, and he plays this little six-string guitar that his older sister never touched. He can clap and keep rhythm for 12-15 beats before he loses it, and he just gravitates toward anything musical. He begs for music. Literally begs for the stereo to be on. I began writing down all the stuff I do with him, and it became an article that I used in my freelancing. Here it is. Just copy and paste... Although your kids might be too old?
I tried the Yamaha music program with my oldest when he was 5 and it was torture for all of us! They want the parent in the class which was hard for me and he never wanted to practice! That didn't last long.
My youngest started kindermusik when he was 18 months and we just stopped. He is 5. He really enjoyed it but there was no praticing or anything. I am going to have him take piano lessons in a few years and hopefully will have the money then.
I have a friend who had her kids do Suzuki, which is a very involved program. They started around 4 and were burnt out at about 10.
Everyone has told me "wait!"
But of course you know what will work best with your kids. :-)
M.
ork with students of all ages
My grandchildren began when they were in the 5th grade. Their school district has a good program. At the last concert the music teacher stated,you can go on line Orienic(not sure about the spelling of the school name) Middle School. Located on Theodore west of Rt.59. This is the Troy school district,Joliet in Will County. The site will suggest teachers,gives the school phone number etc. Hope this is a help.
