These guidelines will help you to have a successful, rewarding experience learning an instrument.
These are practical tips that we have discovered from years of teaching and our experiences with
teaching hundreds of students each year.
1. HOW YOUNG IS TOO YOUNG - STARTING AT THE RIGHT AGE
Adults can start at any time. Their success is based on how willing an adult is to commit to
practicing. For children, starting at the right age is a key element to the success of their lessons.
Some people will tell you “the sooner the better” but this attitude can actually backfire and be a
negative. If a child is put into lessons too soon they may feel overwhelmed and frustrated and want to
stop lessons. The last thing you want to do is turn a child off music just because they had one
unpleasant experience, which could have been prevented. Sometimes if the child waits a year to
start lessons their progress can be much faster. Children who are older than the suggested earliest
starting age usually do very well. The following are guidelines we have found to be successful in
determining how young a child can start taking music lessons.
Piano/Keyboard
At our school 5 years old is the youngest age that we start children in private piano lessons. At this
age they have begun to develop longer attention spans and can retain material with ease.
Guitar - Acoustic, Electric and Bass
8 years old is the earliest we recommend for guitar lessons. Guitar playing requires a fair amount of
pressure on the fingertips from pressing on the strings. Children under 8 generally have small
hands and may find playing uncomfortable. Bass guitar students generally are 10 years old and
older.
Voice Lessons
10 years old is recommended as the youngest age for private vocal lessons. Due to the physical
nature of voice lessons (proper breathing techniques, development of the vocal chords and lung
capacity), the younger body is generally not yet ready for the rigors of vocal technique. For children
younger than 10, we have a children’s choir (ages 6-9) and a preschool singing program (ages 3-5)
that teaches them how to use their voices properly, in a fun, relaxed environment.
2. INSIST ON PRIVATE LESSONS WHEN LEARNING A SPECIFIC INSTRUMENT
Group classes work well for preschool music programs, and theory lessons. However, when
actually learning how to play an instrument, private lessons are far superior since in private lessons
it is hard to miss anything, and each student can learn at their own pace. This means the teacher
does not have to teach a class at a middle of the road level, but has the time and focus to work on
the individual student’s strengths and weaknesses. For that lesson period, the student is the
primary focus of the teacher. The teachers also enjoy this as they do not have to divide their attention
between 5 - 10 students at a time and can help the student be the best they can be.
3. TAKE LESSONS IN A PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ENVIRONMENT
Learning music is not just a matter of having a qualified teacher, but also having an environment that
is focused on music education. In a professional school environment a student cannot be distracted
by t.v., pets, ringing phones, siblings or anything else. With only 1/2 to one hour of lesson time per
week, a professional school environment can produce better results since the only focus at that time
is learning music. Students in a school environment are also motivated by hearing peers who are at
different levels and by being exposed to a variety of musical instruments. In a music school, the
lessons are not just a hobby or sideline for the teacher but a responsibility which is taken very
seriously.
4. MAKE PRACTICING EASIER
As with anything, improving in music takes practice. One of the main problems with music lessons
is the drudgery of practicing and the fight between parents and students to practice every day. Here
are some ways to make practicing easier:
Time
Set the same time every day to practice so it becomes part of a routine or habit. This works
particularly well for children. Generally the earlier in the day the practicing can occur, the less
reminding is required by parents to get the child to practice.
Repetition
We use this method quite often when setting practice schedules for beginners. For a young child 20
or 30 minutes seems like an eternity. Instead of setting a time frame, we use repetition. For example,
practice this piece 4 times every day, and this scale 5 times a day. The child then does not pay
attention to the amount of time they are practicing their instrument, but knows if they are on repetition
number 3 they are almost finished.
Rewards
This works very well for both children and adult students. Some adults reward themselves with a
cappuccino after a successful week of practicing. Parents can encourage children to practice by
granting them occasional rewards for successful practicing. In our school we reward young children
for a successful week of practicing with stars and stickers on their work. Praise tends to be the most
coveted award - there just is no substitute for a pat on the back for a job well done. Sometimes we all
have a week with little practicing, in that case there is always next week.
5. USE RECOGNIZED TEACHING MATERIALS
There are some excellent materials developed by professional music educators that are made for
students in a variety of situations. For example in piano, there are books for very young beginners,
and books for adult students that have never played before. There are books that can start you at a
level you are comfortable with. These materials have been researched and are continually upgraded
and improved to make learning easier. These materials ensure that no important part of learning the
instrument can inadvertently be left out. If you ever have to move to a different part of the country,
qualified teachers and institutions will recognize the materials and be able to smoothly continue
from where the previous teacher left off.
Most Importantly . . .
HAVE FUN!!
Music should be something that you enjoy for a lifetime. So, try not to put unrealistic expectations on
yourself or your children to learn too quickly. Everyone learns at a different pace and the key is to be
able to enjoy the journey.
These are practical tips that we have discovered from years of teaching and our experiences with
teaching hundreds of students each year.
1. HOW YOUNG IS TOO YOUNG - STARTING AT THE RIGHT AGE
Adults can start at any time. Their success is based on how willing an adult is to commit to
practicing. For children, starting at the right age is a key element to the success of their lessons.
Some people will tell you “the sooner the better” but this attitude can actually backfire and be a
negative. If a child is put into lessons too soon they may feel overwhelmed and frustrated and want to
stop lessons. The last thing you want to do is turn a child off music just because they had one
unpleasant experience, which could have been prevented. Sometimes if the child waits a year to
start lessons their progress can be much faster. Children who are older than the suggested earliest
starting age usually do very well. The following are guidelines we have found to be successful in
determining how young a child can start taking music lessons.
Piano/Keyboard
At our school 5 years old is the youngest age that we start children in private piano lessons. At this
age they have begun to develop longer attention spans and can retain material with ease.
Guitar - Acoustic, Electric and Bass
8 years old is the earliest we recommend for guitar lessons. Guitar playing requires a fair amount of
pressure on the fingertips from pressing on the strings. Children under 8 generally have small
hands and may find playing uncomfortable. Bass guitar students generally are 10 years old and
older.
Voice Lessons
10 years old is recommended as the youngest age for private vocal lessons. Due to the physical
nature of voice lessons (proper breathing techniques, development of the vocal chords and lung
capacity), the younger body is generally not yet ready for the rigors of vocal technique. For children
younger than 10, we have a children’s choir (ages 6-9) and a preschool singing program (ages 3-5)
that teaches them how to use their voices properly, in a fun, relaxed environment.
2. INSIST ON PRIVATE LESSONS WHEN LEARNING A SPECIFIC INSTRUMENT
Group classes work well for preschool music programs, and theory lessons. However, when
actually learning how to play an instrument, private lessons are far superior since in private lessons
it is hard to miss anything, and each student can learn at their own pace. This means the teacher
does not have to teach a class at a middle of the road level, but has the time and focus to work on
the individual student’s strengths and weaknesses. For that lesson period, the student is the
primary focus of the teacher. The teachers also enjoy this as they do not have to divide their attention
between 5 - 10 students at a time and can help the student be the best they can be.
3. TAKE LESSONS IN A PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ENVIRONMENT
Learning music is not just a matter of having a qualified teacher, but also having an environment that
is focused on music education. In a professional school environment a student cannot be distracted
by t.v., pets, ringing phones, siblings or anything else. With only 1/2 to one hour of lesson time per
week, a professional school environment can produce better results since the only focus at that time
is learning music. Students in a school environment are also motivated by hearing peers who are at
different levels and by being exposed to a variety of musical instruments. In a music school, the
lessons are not just a hobby or sideline for the teacher but a responsibility which is taken very
seriously.
4. MAKE PRACTICING EASIER
As with anything, improving in music takes practice. One of the main problems with music lessons
is the drudgery of practicing and the fight between parents and students to practice every day. Here
are some ways to make practicing easier:
Time
Set the same time every day to practice so it becomes part of a routine or habit. This works
particularly well for children. Generally the earlier in the day the practicing can occur, the less
reminding is required by parents to get the child to practice.
Repetition
We use this method quite often when setting practice schedules for beginners. For a young child 20
or 30 minutes seems like an eternity. Instead of setting a time frame, we use repetition. For example,
practice this piece 4 times every day, and this scale 5 times a day. The child then does not pay
attention to the amount of time they are practicing their instrument, but knows if they are on repetition
number 3 they are almost finished.
Rewards
This works very well for both children and adult students. Some adults reward themselves with a
cappuccino after a successful week of practicing. Parents can encourage children to practice by
granting them occasional rewards for successful practicing. In our school we reward young children
for a successful week of practicing with stars and stickers on their work. Praise tends to be the most
coveted award - there just is no substitute for a pat on the back for a job well done. Sometimes we all
have a week with little practicing, in that case there is always next week.
5. USE RECOGNIZED TEACHING MATERIALS
There are some excellent materials developed by professional music educators that are made for
students in a variety of situations. For example in piano, there are books for very young beginners,
and books for adult students that have never played before. There are books that can start you at a
level you are comfortable with. These materials have been researched and are continually upgraded
and improved to make learning easier. These materials ensure that no important part of learning the
instrument can inadvertently be left out. If you ever have to move to a different part of the country,
qualified teachers and institutions will recognize the materials and be able to smoothly continue
from where the previous teacher left off.
Most Importantly . . .
HAVE FUN!!
Music should be something that you enjoy for a lifetime. So, try not to put unrealistic expectations on
yourself or your children to learn too quickly. Everyone learns at a different pace and the key is to be
able to enjoy the journey.
FIVE WAYS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF MUSIC LESSONS
| Dance Works School of Music was established to bring exceptional music education to Canal Winchester, Pickerington, Lancaster, and the Surrounding Area. In cooperation with our excellent Dance Program we offer a wide range of options for children to adults. |
| Music Parent Report |
Dance Classes
- Dance Descriptions
- Schedule and Fees
- Required Dance Wear
- Parent Report
Music Lessons
- Music Descriptions
- Private Lessons
- Schedule and Fees
- Common Q & A
- Parent Report
School Store
Class Memos
Newsletters
Recital & Show Information
Event Pictures and Info
Calendar
Contact Us
- Dance Descriptions
- Schedule and Fees
- Required Dance Wear
- Parent Report
Music Lessons
- Music Descriptions
- Private Lessons
- Schedule and Fees
- Common Q & A
- Parent Report
School Store
Class Memos
Newsletters
Recital & Show Information
Event Pictures and Info
Calendar
Contact Us
| Copyright © 2009, Academy of Dance and Music. All Rights Reserved |