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Knowing when to start music lessons for you or your child can be stressful. You don't want to waste time, money, or energy if it's something you can start later or may have to quit mid-run. No one wants to feel like they came up short-handed, so here are a few commonly asked questions and tips that we have learned and want to share with you!
How do I know If my child is ready?
How do I know If my child is ready?
Every child is different. Some kids are ready to jump into the realm of lessons and music right away, whereas others don't want to start until they are a teenager. Either way, as a parent or guardian you are eager to get them involved in something good. Typically music lessons are best taught when the student is at least 4-5 years old at the youngest or about the age of kindergarden. Sometimes even at this age it can be difficult. If you child is good at sitting still for at least 10-15 minutes at a time (and could refocus after a small break for the last 15 minutes or so of the lesson), can focus on the tasks at hand, talk and answer questions well, read and follow instructions, then they should be in great shape to start. If you'd still like to have your child come in for lessons earlier than that, we suggest our group music lessons which is all about sensory play and learning notes.
Another big indicator of readiness is wanting to learn! Your child doesn't have to say "Mom, Dad, give me that guitar! I want to play!" but if they are looking for things to create sound with or express interest in Grandma's piano and you want to give them something educational and fun to do, try it out! We offer sample lessons at our Spokane Academy of Music and our teachers are skilled and reliable when helping you assess the needs of your students, so we can give a second opinion if they are ready or not!
What instrument should my child start learning first?
What instrument should my child start learning first?
Typically, the easiest, and the best instrument to learn first is the piano. The piano lays the music foundation for being able to read music, follow rhythms and time signatures, and brings clarity and reference to any additional instruments your child wants to play. Since it is also one of the most common instruments that people have in their homes or need for church services, it's one of the most practical. However, not everyone wants to play piano. We recommend it, but there are more options.
Instruments can be categorized into several categories like strings, woodwind, brass, or percussion. Think of violins, flutes, symbols, and drums to name a few. One of my good friends from high school went straight into the drums and was great at it. Her skills were rhythm based. It can take a few tries and playing around to see what instrument you may want to try first. It's best to experiment to see what you really like, and if you aren't sure, try one at a time.
We also offer instrument rental, so if you decide the trumpet isn't for you, switch it out for a ukulele no problem!
In level of difficulty, age of the student may play a factor. Large keys on a piano or being able to reach the peddles on an organ would influence your choice, but most instruments can be fitted to the proper age group. The term "tiny violin" doesn't just refer to the sound of complaining, but tiny violins for 3 year olds are commonly made! They are adorable.
What instruments and what size do I get them?
What instruments and what size do I get them?
So that leads to our next question when we find an instrument, what size do we get them? For instruments like pianos, you can't change the size too much without limiting keys and you wouldn't really need to. typically you would just need a taller bench. However, guitars, violins, drum sets, trumpets, and instruments that are more portable would need to be bought to size. Our teachers can help you measure and find the right fit, but if you can't come in yet, here is a quick guide to help with something like a violin. Arm measurements and height are important to know before clicking "check out items." If you have these ready when visiting our store, or calling ahead, we can give you an idea for inventory and find the best fit! The image is courtesy of fiddlershop.com
How much should I spend?
How much should I spend?
Typically, since the price of instruments can fluctuate, we recommend understanding your budget, and doing a search of commonly priced items. We offer rental services and fair prices in store that are usually much more affordable than newer types. Another blog we have called "best brands to buy and which to say goodbye" explains how you can find and understand where appropriate pricing should be for the instruments you want to get.
How Long Should My Student Practice For?
How Long Should My Student Practice For?
Typically, we recommend spending at least 30 minutes a day for 5 days out of the week. More practice time can't hurt, as long as the student is doing ok. 8 hours a day for your student's goals and schedule may not be ideal. The main reason we supply a time is because that is usually how long it may take to review assigned material, attention span for small children, and a good goal to aim for. However, what is most important is the quality of your practice time. If you are really struggling with a certain theory or song, it's good to have a break or switch to something different to work on.
A good practice session usually includes warm up, practicing previously learned or passed off materials, and a review of assigned materials for that week assigned by the teacher, and yes even some play time if you want! During the assigned materials portion, focusing on parts of the music that weren't as good as others is better than plowing through to the end.
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