"Ok, I registered for lessons. Now what?"
Congratulations! You are now the parent of an elementary band or strings student. Regardless of your own personal musical ability or prior experience playing in a school band or string ensemble, your role is instrumental (pun intended) in your child's music education. The following guidelines are meant to assist you in preparing your child for the first lesson of the year as well as provide some ideas to help your child grow as a fledgling instrumentalist.
It really just comes down to doing four things:
"Do-nows" - Prior to the first lesson:
Secure an instrument, lesson book and accessories
Keep an eye out for email and other important communications from your child's teacher
Enduring habits - From the first lesson and throughout the year:
Assist your child in remembering to bring lesson supplies to school each week
Encourage and assist your child in developing a home practice routine
Students enrolled in lessons will need the following supplies:
An instrument in fully working condition
Method Book (varies by instrument)
Accessories as specified for each instrument
Please consult the following lists for supply information for each instrument:
**First - string instrument families (violin, viola, cello) - please read the following instrument sizing information before continuing (click here)**
There are three methods to procuring an instrument for your child:
Renting an instrument from a local music store
Inheriting an instrument from a relative or friend
Buying an instrument
Renting from a local music store is our most highly recommended option. Quality musical instruments require quality materials and considerable expertise to build and as such are expensive. Fortunately, many of our local music retailers offer high quality, rent-to-own instruments for an affordable monthly rate.
The local music instrument vendors listed below rent instrument brands that meet ASD’s elementary band and string teachers’ requirements:
Music and Arts
4380 Summit Bridge Road Suite 7 Middletown, DE 19709
Phone: 302-376-7600
http://stores.musicarts.com/middletown-de
Zeswitz Music
Phone: 877-480-8224
https://www.zeswitzmusic.com/rent
You are not required to rent or purchase from Music & Arts or Zeswitz. If you choose to obtain an instrument elsewhere, please make sure it meets your teacher's requirements and includes the required materials.
Inheriting an instrument from a family member or friend can be a great way to save on the expense of renting an instrument. Many older name-brand instruments are of very high quality and could potentially last a lifetime if properly maintained. Even an instrument in need of a minimum or moderate amount of repair could potentially be a sound long term investment.
It is highly recommended to have an inherited instrument tested to ensure it is fully operational and to do so prior to the start of the first lesson. Again, with string instruments, make sure to measure your child to ensure that the instrument is a suitable size. Your child's director would be happy to help with this process. Additionally, make sure to consult the "materials needed" lists linked above to ensure that a lesson book and required accessories are purchased.
Buying an instrument for a beginner band or strings student at the onset of instruction is generally not recommended for the following reasons:
New quality instruments, even 'student' models, are expensive.
The condition of a used instrument purchased from a private seller can not be known (unless the instrument can be play tested before purchase by a qualified musician)
String instruments (violin, viola, cello) come in different sizes to meet the needs of growing students. Most 4th & 5th grade strings students will begin study on a fractional (less than full-sized) instrument. While most music retailers allow fractional-sized rental instruments to be traded up to ones of larger sizes as a student grows, this cannot be done with an instrument purchased in full. (click here for more info on string instrument sizing)
'Budget' instruments like those found on Amazon or at Walmart are typically of unacceptable quality, hinder student progress by being difficult or even impossible to play, and should be avoided. If it seems like a deal that's too good to be true, it probably is. To put it another way, there are no 'beginner' instruments - a well made, high quality instrument is essential at all stages of band and strings instruction, from the first lesson onward.
As with renting, ASD's band and strings directors recommend purchasing only from a trusted local retailer. Again, as with an inherited instrument, consult the "materials needed" lists linked above to verify that the correct lesson book and accessories have been purchased for the instrument.
In the weeks leading up to the first lesson, a schedule containing the details of your child's lesson day and times will be sent home.
Some facts about how lessons operate:
Lessons occur once a week for 30 minutes.
Lessons take place during the school day, not before or after school.
Lessons are considered a pull-out program - students will leave their classroom to attend the lesson.
Lessons usually (but may not always) take place on the same day of the week.
Lesson times rotate throughout the day.
In the 2 - 3 weeks leading up to our concerts, students will rehearse as a full group.
Lessons will begin around the last week of September or first week of October. If you have not received a lesson schedule by this time, please contact your child's director.
Preparation for each week's lesson in an essential component to success in the band and strings program. Students are expected to bring instruments and music to each weekly lesson. While it is possible for a student to still learn if materials are left at home, instances of forgetting materials may have a negative impact on the quality of instruction for that lesson.
Students in 4th and 5th grade exhibit varying levels of readiness in terms of the ability to be consistently prepared for lessons. While some students will have an easy time with this task, other students may not be developmentally ready to remember to bring the instrument and music to school each week at this stage of their music journeys and may require the assistance of a parent or guardian. Before implementing any band/strings routines at home, it is important to make an honest assessment of your child's current level of personal responsibility to determine what supports at home may be needed.
The following strategies may help with lesson preparation:
Place a copy of the calendar at home in a prominent area where your child is likely to frequently pass by, such as the door of the kitchen refrigerator.
Have your child underline or highlight their lesson times on the calendar.
Encourage your child to write his or her lesson times down in an agenda on a weekly or monthly basis.
Set an active reminder on an electronic device such as a wristwatch or iPad.
Implement a weekly preparation routine the evening before the lesson day:
Book and folder in bookbag.
Instrument next to bookbag.
Along with preparation, practicing the songs and techniques learned in lessons is another essential component for a successful experience in learning an instrument. Encouraging, but not forcing, your child to practice at home is recommended, particularly if he or she is not yet independently motivated to do so. Some strategies that may help:
Ask your child about what was learned in the day's lesson.
Have your child teach you a new technique or song that they learned.
Students often enjoy the social aspect of making music with their classmates. Plan a music play date with a friend or neighbor that is also learning a band or string instrument.
Host an informal 'concert' at home. It only takes one song and one audience member to make this happen!
For more information, please consult the following home practice guide: