Monday, January 27, 2014

How To Make Music Lessons A Big Success

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.

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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