“When is my child ready to learn to play an instrument?”
I am so often asked this question by parents eager to offer their child the wonderful experience of playing an instrument, but unsure as to what the right age is for them to start.
I've listed four questions below. Your answers to them should lead you to make the decision that is right for your child.
Has your child reached Basic Music Competence?
Music Together® believes that all children are musical and can reach what we call Basic Music Competence; the ability to sing in tune and keep a steady beat.
You may see that your child is somewhat capable in one or both of these respects, but she should be able to sing a song in tune from beginning to end, and march or clap to the beat in a sustained way before she is ready to manipulate an instrument.
For some children Basic Music Competence can be reached as early as two or three years old, for others, not until Kindergarten or first grade.
How is your child's attention span?
Most instrument lessons require the child to be able to stay put and engaged for at least 20 minutes.
Is your child showing an interest or asking to play an instrument?
Let your child lead the decision to take up an instrument. If they show some consistent interest in wanting to play a particular instrument, go with it!
Are you ready to make the commitment of time and money to support this activity?
Formal music lessons are usually expensive, and you will share in the responsibility for making sure your child practices regularly.
As adults we tend to be result oriented (especially when we've paid for something!). Remember the learning curve is likely to be a gentle one.
My advice, based on personal and professional experience, is as follows:
Take time and care in finding the right teacher for your child.
Ask plenty of questions of the teacher – about their teaching style and the methods they use. Chat with the parents of some of his/her students to find out more. Sit in on your child's lessons.
Rent an instrument at first rather than buying one.
Make a commitment of at least three months to regular lessons and practice. At the end of this time, review the situation. Is it fun? Has your child made progress?
If the answer to either of these is 'No', don't hesitate to take a break. It may be that your child is not ready after all, or that a different teaching style is what's needed – or why not try a different instrument?
The following are all good ways to begin your search for a music teacher for your child:
The Yellow Pages lists individual teachers and also music stores. Many music stores have practice rooms used by local teachers. Ask for their recommendations.
Civic Arts and Recreation programs usually offer group lessons and also have connections with teachers who teach one-on-one.
Check the Internet for further registers of local teachers. I would not recommend you post any requests on the Internet for a teacher for your young child..
Word of mouth is hard to beat. Ask around at school, church etc.
The Suzuki Method has many things in common with Music Together. Children learn in groups, and with much involvement and support of parents.
The Suzuki Music Association of California has a website:
http://members.cox.net/suzuki-ca/ which lists all their teachers in our area.
The piano method, Music Moves for Piano was developed with the help of Edwin Gordon whose ideas on early childhood music education heavily influenced Music Together's two founders.
I've also heard good things about the Yamaha Piano method.
Any teacher familiar with the Orff Schulwerk methods of early childhood music education would be a good follow-on from Music Together. The Orff method places an emphasis on recorder and percussion but informs teachers' styles generally.
Good luck, and have fun!
