MUSIC LESSONS
Choosing
Music Lessons
5 WAYS TO GET THE MOST OUT
OF MUSIC LESSONS
These are guidelines that can help you have a successful, rewarding experience learning to play an instrument at Alda Music School. Specific questions will be addressed on an individual, case by case, basis.
1. HOW YOUNG IS TOO YOUNG - STARTING AT THE RIGHT AGE
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 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
At our school 4-1/2 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
7 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 7 generally have small hands and may find playing uncomfortable. Please consult with us regarding user-friendly, student-starter instruments.
Voice Lessons
For young children (ages 4-9), we have a preschool / children singing program that teaches them how to use their voices properly, in a fun, relaxed environment. In addition, age appropriate private vocal lessons are available. Due to the physical nature of voice lessons (proper breathing techniques, development of the vocal chords and lung capacity), the more rigorous elements of vocal technique are addressed at a more mature age.
Drums
The average age of our youngest drum student is 6. This varies greatly depending on the size of the child. They must be able to reach both the pedals and the cymbals. For determined and highly motivated students we offer trial programs on a mini drum set as early as age 5.
Violin
The violin is one of the world?s most beloved musical instruments; it also has a reputation for being incredibly difficult to master, no matter how good your violin teacher is.
However,?learn to play the violin, and you?ll soon discover it comes with a raft of remarkable benefits as well ? ones that can stand you in good stead all your life. Don?t just take our word for it though.
2. INSIST ON PRIVATE LESSONS WHEN LEARNING A SPECIFIC INSTRUMENT
Group classes work well for preschool music programs, and theory lessons. However, when 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 atmosphere 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 children 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. 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. Ultimately, the students perform their learned pieces in our scheduled band lessons, which are a reinforcement of lessons taught. This method of teaching affords all students to participate in an ensemble experience, which otherwise may not be available.
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.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
A world of learners where children gain a passport to the world