music lessons

[supergolden88]

My daughter is desperate to start violin lessons. She is 6. I am hesitant as I know it's not an easy instrument to learn and I am not sure she has the discipline to really practice.

In any case her school (Ivydale) offers violin lessons but parents have to be present. Both my husband and myself work full time so unable to attend the lessons (during weekday work hours). We will contact the violin teachers to see if weekend lessons are on offer but would welcome recommendations for music teachers in Nunhead or nearby.

I would be interested in piano lessons as a different option as well. Please let me know what the costs are I am still debating whether we can afford this longterm!

[rachel83]

We go to one of the Suzuki teachers from Ivydale privately on a weekend as we are not Ivydale parents, nor able to sit in on lessons in the week. It is ?19 for half an hour, roughly 40 lessons a year so ?760 a year. There is maybe another ?100 a year to pay for books, Suzuki subscriptions, concerts and group lessons (?5 a session).

If you want to attend the Summer Suzuki schools (usually 5 day residential courses), these are about another ?400 - ?500 a year.

Hope that helps!

[supergolden88]

That's helpful thanks. It seems like whatever you do it will be a big financial commitment.

Can I ask why do parents have to be present? Is it to help with the practicing?

[Pickle]

The Suzuki method generally involves the parent learning along with the child in the early stages.

My 5 year old has recorder lessons which I sit in on (quite tricky with a baby and a nearly 4 year old too), that way I can help keep him focussed and also guide his practise more.

[supergolden88]

I think I could handle recorder lessons but not violin! Wish I could figure out what (if any!) instruments my daughter has some affinity with. Somehow she has latched on to violin (possibly because a friend does it not sure) but not sure she knows what it involves

[gwod]

I can recommend our lovely Violin teacher - she comes to our house to teach two of my children, one of whom since she was 6. It is not Suzuki method, so I dont have to join in, but I find it helpful that it goes on in my house as I can hear what they are doing and how it should sound, which helps me with their practice.

It is about ?20 per half hour. I would recommend that you borrow a violin and let your daughter have a lesson before you buy one. Pm me if you want more info.

[telemum]

Hi, my daughter, who is 4, started having private violin lessons this year (she begged for them - I know nothing about the violin!). I'd heartily recommend her teacher, who is down in SE23. We go to her on Saturday mornings and she does 20 minutes (definitely all my daughter can cope with at this age) for a tenner. She's not Suzuki, but I do go along obviously to take her, but also it is helpful so that I can help her practice. This may be less necessary as they get older. We hired her violin (they grow out of them very quickly) from Soundheart on Brockley Rise.

If you want more details do pm me though I know that we're a little way from Nunhead. I was bemused by my daughter's desire to play violin so young, but she does really really love it and loves her teacher too, which is crucial for me.

[rachel83]

The Suzuki method relies on the parent learning alongside the child which is why they ask you to be present at each lesson. You also have to supervise the practice sessions every day ::o

There is a scheme at Blackheath Conservatoire that lets you try out lots of different instruments over the course of a year. I can't find the details so contact them direct about it. http://www.conservatoire.org.uk/home

I agree with telemum's post about hiring the instruments - don't bother buying them, they outgrow them very quickly!

[nunheadmum]

There's a great event at the Southbank (RFH), Funharmonics concerts. There's a classical concert aimed at kids (so it's fine to wriggle, hand out munchies etc). But before and after they have loads of opportunities around the centre to try out different instruments.

I'm gutted as we've got 4 tickets but now the school Fun Run is the same day (13th May) and we can't go!

[lucyA1308]

I am a violinist, violin teacher and one-time suzuki pupil, although I am not a suzuki regestered teacher.

6 is a fine age to start learning the violin, whether by the suzuki method or not. Most instruments are squeaky in the beginning stages of learning, and I think a wood wind instrument is even more so, because a young child doesn't really have enough puff to make much sound, where-as a string instrument can start off making quite a good sound right from the beginning, just by plucking the strings,(which isn't at all squeaky) having fun with different rhythms playing games and having fun, gradually pregressing through stage by stage, until they are ready to use the bow.,

It is important, whether suzuki or not, that parents get involved as much as possible, and encourage the practice. Young children won't have the discipline to go and do it on their own accord - there are usually many more fun things to do, but there are ways to encourage a child. The more work they put into the practice, the more they will get out of the lessons. the more that they see that you are willing to be involved, they more they will also enjoy it as an activity which you can do together.

Your money won't be wasted if you can see the child progress.

The main reason that I became a professional, was because it was so much fun, but there is also a lot of hard work which goes along side that.

In the long run, I would advise purchasing an instrument. They are not expensive, and after a couple of terms of hiring one, you might as well have bought it. You can always do a part exchange when your child has out grown it.

I am happy to offer any more advice. Just ask.

Hope it goes well.

Lucy

[reneet]

My daughter does Piano on Barry Road. I do not have to sit with her. She is 4 but will probably take on a 2nd instrument when she is 6. I basically drop her off and come bck after the lesson. Initially I stayed to learn the teaching method so that I can encourage the same at home during her practice sessions. I now stay just when I need to know her progress. Her lessons at the moment are only 15 minutes although she slightly losses concentration after 10.

[nunheadmum]

LucyA - any advice on how you encourage a child to practice? My daughter (age 6) doesn't like not being able to do things straight off and while she does quickly improve when she does practice (short 10 mins...I don't push my luck!), getting her to do it is a constant source of stress. Other than yet another reward chart (which I think she's getting a bit wise to!), I'm a bit stuck as to what to do. What age do they start to get that practice helps them and want try to improve or achieve things?

[redjam]

The Musicians' Union organize occasional 'Learn to Play' days, during which your child (and you!) can try out different instruments. We went to one near the Oval last year and it was brilliant - my daughter was able to try out the violin, the trumpet, the clarinet, the flute and the guitar for herself, as well as hear the wonderful musicians give demonstrations of how it 'should' sound. The instructors were hugely inspirational and it was all free. I'd really recommend it if you're not sure which instrument your child might have an affinity with.

As a result of this session my daughter decided she wanted to learn guitar and has been taking lessons for three months now (she's seven). She's keen but I wish I had an answer about how to encourage her to practise! Nunheadmum you're so right about how kids just don't get the idea that they can't be perfect immediately and they have to, you know, WORK AT IT. But of course the great thing about the guitar is that you only need three chords and you can play loads of pop songs...

[lucyA1308]

YOu can give this a try. http://www.musicinpractice.com/

My own advice would also be to try to practice first in short bursts. Four lots of 5 - 10 mins practice is better than 2 x 20 mins per week. Especially for youngsters.

When it comes to practice time, make it fun, and also maybe have a little performance at the end, so that the child feels a sense of pride. Always find opportunities to encourage. Even if the child feels frustrated by not getting it right immediately, find aspects that they did get right, and praise this.

I would also encourage any opportunities for ensemble playing throughout the term time, or holiday. Turning up for your lessons each week is one thing, but when you realise it is a social activity too, and you can play in a group with friends, then it really does become fun.

Bromley offer taster sessions, and have evening orchestra groups (for grades 1-3) and Saturday orchestras, (grade 3 +). pupils make progress without even realising it, when they are having fun.

[kazbar4]

Hi

Did you ever find a violin teacher for your daughter? My daughter Saskia Horton is 16 and has a few slots for students. She passed her grade 8 with disinction at 15 and is a member of the National Youth Orchestra. Her rates are very reasonable ?10/20 mins (for very young children) ?15/30 mins and ?20/45 mins. Please pass on her details if you hear of anyone needing a violin teacher who is young and inspirational. Recommended minimum age 5 years.

Call Saskia: 0208 2992710 or email her:

[email protected]