Music lessons for children

[LindsayJD]

Hi

I was just thinking about music lessons for children. I always wanted to play an instrument and never got the chance, so I am keen to get my 5 year old started early, but I don't want to start too early and have him dread it!

So, lots of questions: At what age did your children start having music lessons? Is 5 too early? When is the best time? What do you recommend as a first instrument? Do you recommend any particular teachers or do your children learn through school?

Any opinions gratefully received.

Thanks

L

[Gubodge]

My extremely musical step-mother who has quite wide experience with this has said that in her experience there is no real benefit to starting before age 7. Those who do start then soon catch up with those who began lessons earlier.

From my own personal observations as a pianist whose children are currently learning the violin and flute, I'd say that the piano is one of the best to start with. Because it's so straightforward to play (all the notes are there, in the order they are on the stave with no worrying about precise finger or mouth positioning) children progress much more quickly to playing real pieces as well as learning the theory of music. There is technique to worry about, of course, but it's not too painful/frustrating for parent/child before they manage to perfect it.

I know both the ukulele and the recorder are also thought of as great first instruments, but I don't really have much experience of them. (Although I could pick up a recorder after a gap of, erm, some decades and play London's Burning straight off, so take from that what you will.)

[Pickle]

Wait for him to ask, don't push him into an instrument. Expose him to different types, be it on the radio, tv, or by going to the variety of family friendly concerts that happen on the bandstands in the area over summer (there's one on the Horniman bandstand at midday on Saturday that I'm playing in). If he shows an interest in a particular instrument you can take it from there - so if clarinet catches his eye, start on recorder, cello - violin etc.

My son started recorder at 5, but he had asked to learn an instrument and watches and listens to me practise so knew what it involved. At 7.5 he is able to read music and understand music theory.

Piano, recorder, violin and ukelele are all good beginner instruments. As a musician I think reading music early is a benefit, as later on when moving to a trickier instrument (if they want to) it's one less thing to worry about.

I didn't start until I was 7, and went on to become a professional musician, so it didn't do me any harm :)

[LindsayJD]

Thanks both, sounds like I don't need to worry about getting mine into music for a couple of years!

Maybe I should take piano lessons for myself in the interim!

[PippaD]

The East Dulwich academy of music and performing arts holds mini maestro lessons on a Saturday morning from 9-10

My son is 6 and has enjoyed piano, ukele and recorder since it's opening.

The lessons are held at goose green school if you are interested

Take care

[inthewoods]

I would try Kodali based classes to start with. They are supposed to develop musical hearing, sense of rhythm etc that feed in ability to play and enjoy playing music. It's not just a mechanical extraction of sound out of instrument. I would also take them to concerts targeted for children. There is Bach for baby (or such) and they have local venues. I think they do them in St. Barnabas hall in Dulwich village on Fridays.

[campbellchris]

There's some evidence to suggest that starting lessons before five increases the chances of developing perfect pitch pretty substantially. I played piano from about 5 (and double bass from 11, and guitar from 12 and...) and didn't really loathe it till I was about 12-13, when it really wasn't *cool*. Wish i'd kept going. A lot of whether they learn to dread it or not is down to the teacher and how you go about encouraging practice, tbh, same as anything else. I'm all for earlier the better - once I think our lad can get the concept of a lesson and practicing something we'll go for it, probably about 3 1/2.

5 isn't too early, generally.

In terms of instruments, piano gives a great basis to play anything else because of the focus (generally) on sight reading and understanding the music. Although you can get the same with other instruments, I found myself reading music from lesson 1and going from there.

[esme]

If you go for piano try SE22 piano school, they have lots of great teachers and I think Lorraine who runs it recommends they're a min. Of 5 yrs old when they start :)

[MusicoSouth]

I'd agree that the best approach is to go with any interest or enthusiasm he shows - doesn't have to be showing passion for a particular instrument, just a general interest in music. I'd also agree that if budget and space allow, piano is the best option for young beginners, and makes is massively easier to learn to read music and understand theory, and transfer those skills to other instruments in due course. 5 isn't too young to start - my daughter started at 4.5, is now 10 and very much enjoys piano and cello.

I run a local music teaching agency with a group of fab local teachers who are great with young beginners, we take students from age 4 upwards, so if you do decide to go ahead, I'd be very happy to find a lovely teacher for your son. We also do lessons for adults, and have lots of families learning together.

Emma

Musico south

0207 277 2759

www.musicosouth.co.uk

[otislineham]

Hi I am a piano teacher looking for students starting from August 2014. My lessons include general musicianship training using the Hindemith method and keyboard and aural skills. Students ability can range from complete beginners to around grade 5. If you are interested contact me, i am willing to travel to you to give lessons if convenient or vice versa.

[RecorderSue]

I also teach from a young age, 4-5 is often not too early, though it does absolutely depend on the individual child and their family. Some children find reading music very easy, others find playing by ear is much easier, though they are usually keen to persevere to improve their sightreading.

I teach recorder to diploma, piano to grade 8 and could also teach clarinet to grade 6.

I've been teaching and living in the area for many years.