Saturday, December 28, 2013

Tips For Success With Music Lessons

By Madeleine Bridgeman


Your child's first experience with music should be a positive one, and while there probably was much excitement in the beginning, after the newness wears off sometimes children's interest seems to wane. Learning an instrument isn't easy and it takes some dedication and hard work to make it past that beginning stage, and this can discourage some kids. To help make learning an instrument easier, here are some tips for success.

One huge factor lies with the instrument that your child will be playing. It should be an instrument that they are excited to play, but it also should be an instrument that is suitable for the new musician. Sometimes a child's size is a factor. After all holding a tuba or trying to play a bassoon could be quite difficult for an eight year old. Strings, such as the violin, viola and cello come in a variety of sizes and these can be great choices. The piano is another solid option provided you have access to a piano or a full keyboard at home. The flute is light and easy to handle for many children, and the clarinet is another popular choice. You can also select something cool like the guitar or perhaps the drums. While you might have to guide your child a bit, be sure to select something that really excites them.

Often children take their first lessons during elementary school, and this is an excellent beginning to music education. However, the classroom setting can be a bit dull, particularly when it comes to the music selections, which are chosen to provide a little something for everyone rather than focusing on a certain instrument. To complement your child's music education, private lessons can be an excellent option. Not only will this make learning how to use an instrument easier, your child will progress much more quickly with individual instruction. The better they play an instrument, the more they enjoy playing that instrument and private music classes can help.

One reasons why individualized lessons at a music school in Laguna Niguel, a music school in San Clemente or a music school in Dana Point can be so beneficial comes down to choice. With a private music class your child can select music that truly appeals to them rather than a piece selected for the school group. Private lessons also are needed if your child wishes to take on an instrument that isn't available at school, such as the guitar or the piano.

When selecting a music instructor or music school, be sure to introduce your child to the teacher and take a tour of the music school. Music lessons should be something your child enjoys, so make sure there is a good rapport between teacher and student. Some schools, such as Los Rios Rock School in San Juan Capistrano, even offer an actual rock band experience for students as well as the typical private lesson. The tuition includes an hour-long weekly lesson as well as Saturday band rehearsals and live shows at popular local venues.

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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