Thursday, February 6, 2014

Helping Kids Find Music Lesson Success

By Madeleine Bridgeman


While your child is probably excited about the idea of taking music lessons, it is sometimes difficult to keep children motivated after those first few weeks of lessons. After all, there is a good amount of work involved in learning how to play any instrument, and sometimes this work can be monotonous for kids. Here are a few tips that might help make your child's music lesson experience a success.

The choice of instrument is of major importance, and while your child definitely should have big input into this decision, some instruments are better than others for first timers. Pianos and stringed instruments are excellent choices, as well as smaller band instruments such as clarinets and flutes. The saxophone is another instrument that many children enjoy learning. Don't forget to think outside the box and consider instruments such as the guitar or the drums, which can be a lot of fun to learn and play. In the end, if you select an instrument that your child is excited about, you are more likely to have success.

For millions of children, their first experience with music lessons begins in elementary school and this can be a great first experience. However, some children need extra attention in order to achieve success, and others tend to be uninspired by the songs selected for performance as these are generally pieces that suit a whole band or orchestra rather than a specific instrument. Private lessons can be an excellent complement to school instruction. After all, your child will learn more quickly and have greater confidence with private music lessons, and that can make the entire experience far more enjoyable.

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 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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