|
|
|
| Choosing
A Music School |
Site Last Updated
|
|
|
| |
5
WAYS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF MUSIC LESSONS
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 any instrument 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. If a child
is put into lessons too soon they may feel
overwhelmed and frustrated and want to stop
lessons. 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.
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 will allow lessons on
a case-by-case basis.
Drum
The average age of our youngest drum student
is 8. This varies greatly depending on the
size of the child. They have to be able
to reach both the pedals and the cymbals.
Guitar - Acoustic, Electric and Bass
6 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
6 generally have small hands and may find
playing uncomfortable. Bass guitar students
generally are 10 years old and older.
Violin
We accept violin students from the age of
5. Experience has shown us the most productive
learning occurs when the beginner is 5 or
older.
2. INSIST ON PRIVATE
LESSONS WHEN LEARNING A SPECIFIC INSTRUMENT
Group classes work well for preschool &
some 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 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.
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 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. 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.
|
|
|
