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Helpful Guide For Parents

6 WAYS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF MUSIC LESSONS...

At Northeast School of Music, we want our students get the most from their lessons.  That's why we've put together these simple guidelines to help you choose what is best for you and your child.  These practical tips and guidelines will help you to have a successful, rewarding experience while learning to sing or play an instrument.

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. We teach many beginner students who are in their 60’s and 70’s.

For children, starting at the right age is a key element to the success of their lessons.  Children who are older than the suggested earliest starting age usually do very well. We have come up with some age guidelines which we have found to be successful in determining how young a child can start taking music lessons. We do make exceptions to the recommended ages on occasion. These exceptions are based on the child's previous musical experience, musical aptitude, and interest in taking music lessons.

3 - 5 Years Old...
Introduce your child to the joy of music!  Our preschool music class, "Shake 'n' Make Music!," will give preschoolers a great foundation in music basics. This will be helpful later when they take private lessons. At this age, private lessons generally do not work, as the child has not yet experienced the formal learning environment of kindergarten or school, and learns more effectively through the game oriented preschool environment.

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. However, we occasionally make exceptions based on the child's aptitude and interest in beginning lessons.

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 singing and voice 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 younger children, we offer a preschool music program which teaches them to use their voice properly, and the fundamentals of music, in a fun, relaxed environment.

Drums...
The recommended age to begin drum lessons 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.

Flute, Clarinet & Saxophone...
For flute, clarinet & saxophone lessons, the recommended age to begin lessons is 9 years old.  This is due to lung capacity, and in the case of the saxophone, the size of the instrument.

Violin...
We accept students for violin lessons from the age of 5. Some teachers will start children as young as 3, but experience has shown us the most productive learning occurs when the beginner is 5 or older.

Trumpet...
The trumpet requires physical exertion and lung power. 9 years and older is a good time to start trumpet lessons.

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 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 text messages, television, 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 are a responsibility, which is taken very seriously.

4. Tips to make parcticing 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.

 

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.

 

6.  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.

Want more Information?  CLICK HERE
Or Call Us at 570-343-9051 or 570-876-2620

 

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