How To Start Your Child On a Musical Instrument
Are you interested in starting your child on an instrument, but unsure where to start? Sophia shares her best practices for beginners.
“Life without playing music is inconceivable to me. I live my daydreams in music, I see my life in terms of music... The most joy in my life has come to me from my violin”. -Albert Einstein, physicist and accomplished violinist.
Why All Children Should Learn to Play a Musical Instrument
Regardless of whether a student dedicates their life to music, learning a musical instrument develops valuable skills that enriches learning in other fields. It develops a deeper appreciation, understanding and emotional capacity for music. Scientific studies have proven that musical training improves brain function and increases the speed at which aural, visual, and tactile sensory information is processed. In other words, musicians tend to be more mentally alert according to research from a University of Montreal study.
A non-exhaustive List of the Benefits of Music Education
Teaches Patience and Discipline- There are no shortcuts in music education, but committed practice will give results.
Develops Fine Motor Skills- Playing a musical instrument develops refined movements and teaches multi-tasking: it improves the brain’s ability to process information from many sources and senses.
Improves Memory- Music can be defined as sound (notes, melodies) in time (rhythm). Learning a musical instrument teaches children to listen, create and retrieve sound, to think in relation to time, and interpret visual cues as sound in time.
Inspires Creativity- Music is a highly creative artform in which a basic level of proficiency opens the door to so many styles and pieces of music!
Builds Confidence- Expressing oneself through music and gaining experience performing in public builds confidence
Builds Social Networks- Music is a social art meant to be shared and is a gateway to meet new people- whether at concerts, ensembles or orchestra rehearsals, as well as a special way for families and friends to bond
Music Feels Good- There’s a reason we “play” music!
Introducing Your Child to Musical Instruments
Here are a few easy ways to introduce more music into your family life and inspire your child to learn an instrument.
1. Watch a live concert- many symphony orchestras, music schools and institutions offer children’s concerts. Today, many performances are available for online streaming. Choose a concert that offers a variety of different instruments.
2. Listen to music together- a great time to listen to listen is in the car. Check out Art Stroller’s curated playlists and resource page, or contact us directly for personal recommendations!
3. Sing to your child- Regardless of your musical training or vocal experience, your child will identify and connect with your unique voice. Sing any songs you know together in the car, in the kitchen, while on a walk
Getting Started and Finding a Teacher
A student’s first teacher plays a vital role in their relationship with music education. A music teacher is responsible for inspiring a love of learning and growth at the most fundamental level, because music has no finite measurement of success- there is always room for improvement, as any professional will attest.
When looking for a teacher in 2020, the options have never been more plentiful. Local music schools, universities, symphony orchestras, after-school programs and now a wealth of online music programs are available at the click of a mouse. But what sets teachers apart in experience and expertise?
Great teachers tailor their instruction to meet each student’s needs. Many pedagogical methods exist around the world, which is why it’s important to talk to different teachers about their methods and approaches. Here are some points for starting lessons and finding a music teacher:
Ask Questions. What kind of musical experience would you like to give your child? What kind of music would you like them to learn? How often could they practice on top of everything else they are engaged with, and how often would lessons be?
Talk About It. It all starts with your child, so it’s great to have a conversation together. Do they like music and have an interest in learning an instrument? Do they have their own opinions and ideas about music?
Seek Reputable Institutions. A quick internet search, a few emails to local or online music institutions. Ask questions- are they able to provide the educational experience you’re looking for?
Check Teacher Qualifications. Does the teacher have a performance or music education degree? How much experience do they have, specifically with children and beginners? Do they have a website, recordings of their own playing, and testimonials? Are they actively performing?
Ask more Questions. What pedagogical methods do they use? Do they host periodical student showcase concerts?
Create a Personalized Plan. Work with the teacher to set specific goals that your child could accomplish by a certain date. Can they play “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” in two months? Will there be a culminating year-end performance or evaluation?
Be Supportive and Patient. Every child learns differently, and your encouragement in the crucial early stages will keep them going.
Embrace the Ugly. Some instruments like the violin don’t automatically make a pleasant sound, like the piano. The scratches, squeals and general “noise” are part of the process, and part of the fun!
The Advantages of Online Lessons
Advanced technology has given musicians the ability to share their music with audiences around the world, and today online music education is becoming increasingly popular. No longer are we limited to music teachers within physical reach or forced to spend precious hours of the day commuting from one activity to the next. If you are considering starting your child with online music lessons, the following may help you make a decision that best suits your family’s needs.
Online lessons offer the most flexible and efficient learning experience. Setting up for an online music lesson takes just a few minutes and eliminates long commutes and wait times. No longer do parents need to sit around waiting for their child’s lesson to end; in fact online lessons provide a unique way for parents to become more involved in their child’s music education. Parents can change the lesson dynamic: children may feel shy or pressured, having to respond to two figures of authority rather than one. However, with online lessons a parent can take part more subtly by listening from another room or reviewing a lesson recording.
Keys to Successful Online Lessons
My experience teaching online has been extremely positive. In early 2020, I started from scratch with several young students and kept them motivated with creative supplemental activities. The key to successful online learning for young students was parental support. In the early stages, young students benefit from a variety of sensory cues- visual, auditory and tactile. A parent’s gentle guidance with posture and form is optimal, and where tactile instruction falls short of online lessons, creative activities come in.
Optimizing Online Lessons
There are many small steps you can take to optimize your online lesson experience.
Lighting- It is important that your teacher sees you clearly from your camera or webcam. Ensure plenty of light is available by placing light sources in front of you. Avoid excessive backlight by positioning yourself in front of a window rather than having your back to a window.
Space- Encourage a learning-conducive environment by maintaining a tidy space, free of distractions or unnecessary items. A simple background is ideal.
Sound- Minimize noise by choosing a quiet and private space. If using Zoom, choose the “Original Sound” and “High Fidelity” music mode settings. For more information on online platforms settings, please feel free to contact us.
Connection- optimize your internet connection by using an ethernet cable.
Preparation- treat the lesson as if it were in-person. Prepare your set-up before
logging on to the lesson platform. Have your instrument set up and tuned, and all lesson materials at hand. Log on to the platform a few minutes early.
Private vs. Group Lessons
Most music schools offer private and group lessons to fit the needs of individual students and families. While one may fit a family’s schedule or family may prefer one over the other for personal reasons, there are also fundamental learning differences that both promote.
Private lessons are an efficient method of learning a musical instrument. Private lessons allow the teacher to tailor their curriculum and teaching style to the individual student, and create space for focused problem-solving and attention to detail. Private lessons promote relationship building and trust between the student and instructor.
Group lessons on the other hand are a wonderful social environment in which students build confidence and new friendships. Children learn through osmosis by seeing their peers progress alongside each other and sharing the joy of learning.
What To Expect When Starting The Violin
The violin, unlike the piano, won’t automatically make a pretty sound when played. Indeed, a beginner may not produce a “pretty” sound for the first few weeks, but if the student and parent embraces the scratches and squeals, the entire process can be so much fun. Every child learns differently, but assuming the student has weekly lessons and consistent practicing, they should be paying simple tunes within a few months.
When starting with a beginner, I believe it’s important to integrate music theory right away. This includes, but is not limited to knowing the parts of the violin and learning to read music.
A Note About Practicing
The only way to improve is with practice, as it goes with most skills in life. When learning an instrument, practicing is a must. Every teacher has different expectations for practicing based on their pedagogical approach. In general, practice should take place every day. A young beginner may practice for 10 minutes a day, an intermediate student may practice 30-45 mins, and an advanced student may invest several hours of their day practicing.
Here are a few tips to make music practice part of your daily routine.
Make a practice schedule, ideally having the practice take place at the same time every day- for example, “30 minutes before dinner”.
Quality over Quantity- if your child wants to quit after a few minutes, set small, specific goals for the practice session and have them practice for as long as it takes to accomplish those goals.
Break up the practice into smaller chunks with breaks in between. For example, 15 mins before school and 15 mins before dinner.
