How To Make Music Lessons A Big Success

By Madeleine Bridgeman


If your kid is about to start learning how to play a musical instrument, he or she is probably very excited about this new adventure. While initial enthusiasm is always high, sometimes this does wane after a few months or even weeks. Once the reality sets in that learning a musical instrument requires some work, children sometimes become a little discouraged and need some extra encouragement. If you hope to make your child's musical experience a great one, consider the following suggestions.

Sometimes the instrument that you choose can make all of the difference. While it should be an instrument that your child wants to play, not all instruments are ideal for beginners or for younger children. Some instruments can be too large and cumbersome for smaller children and some are quite complex. Consider stringed instruments such as the violin or cello for beginners. The piano also can be an excellent instrument to choose but only if you have constant access to one for practice. The clarinet and flute are good choices for children from about age 10 and up, as well as the saxophone. You can also opt for an instrument such as the drums, the guitar or the ukulele. Whatever you choose, it should be something that gets your child excited about music.

For many children, lessons at school are the introduction to learning an instrument, and this typically begins around the fourth or fifth grade. While this can be a great experience, sometimes this method of instruction lacks pizzazz and the music choices might not truly reflect your child's musical leanings. Taking private lessons in addition to school lessons can be a good way to keep interest high. Your child will have more success and faster progress with the extra instruction, which can be a huge motivator.

Finding a private music instructor at a San Clemente music school, a Laguna Niguel music school or a music school in Dana Point, can be a great idea. In this way, your child will be able to have a bit more control when it comes to music selection, and that definitely can increase enthusiasm. In addition, private lessons are essential if your child wants to learn an instrument that simply is not offered at their school, such as the guitar or piano or something wild like the accordion or autoharp.

When you begin looking for a music school or instructor, your child definitely needs to meet the teacher beforehand or take a tour of the facility where the music lessons occur. You want this to be a good use of your money, so be sure that your child and the teacher seem to have a comfortable rapport. Another motivator would be to find a school such as Los Rios Rock School. This San Juan Capistrano music school offers private lessons in virtually every instrument, but beyond the lessons, children are placed in a rock band and get to perform at venues such as the House of Blues and Coach House. Your child's tuition not only includes the private lesson each week but also the Saturday sessions where kids work together as a band.

While you can select a great instrument, a great instructor and a great music school, all of this will be for naught if your child doesn't practice regularly. Practicing is often a chore-like task that many children do not wish to complete. To help facilitate practice, break practice sessions into small daily increments of time, maybe 10-15 per day. As a child advances, they can add a few extra minutes of practice. Transform practice time into fun, mini concerts. Invite over the grandparents or a favorite friend of the family for a weekly concert. Be sure to give plenty of encouragement and when you do offer up suggestions, do so gently without a critical tone. After all, one of the main goals is to have fun, so try to make practice as fun as possible.




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