Music Lessons?

[jwright]

Do your kids take music lessons? How old were they when they started? Do they like it - was it their choice?

My ds likes to sing and says he wants to learn to play an instrument - violin. I would like to get him involved in something but I'm thinking maybe trying to figure a way he could interact with different instruments so he could get to know them and then make a better decision of which one he'd like. Does that make any sense or not? DH played in school band MANY years ago. I have no talent whatsoever with music so no ideas on what to do. Also ds tends to give up easily if things are "too hard". He will be 8 in a few months so just not sure if this would be good and work out for him or not.

Janell

[pa_wife]

Ds has taken piano for about 5 years, started when he was 6. He also plays the tuba, but practices that with my dd's school band since he is homeschooled this year. DD plays the flute and only took the lessons thru band in school. I didn't sign them up for lessons until they mentioned it. I was taking piano lessons and ds asked one day if he could try it too. So, he has since. Dd only took up the flute because she wanted to be on the dance team and they HAVE to be in band for some reason.

[Madre]

Several took piano, but only one retained a huge interest. One was in the school band playing trombone (hated it) and one played percussion in the band (liked it). I think piano is a good foundational instrument to learn. If you choose to start him with learning an instrument, I wouldn't let him give up too soon. I have heard adults say that they wanted to quit music lessons as children and they were allowed to give it up. However, later they wished that their parents had insisted on them continuing.

[luvmy4sons]

2 of 4 sons take piano. Enjoy it. The eldest quit after 7 years but continues to teach himself new songs all the time. The youngest tried guitar. It takes more arm length and coordination...they suggest at least 10 yrs for that. He quit after a year. The 2nd son has never had any interest and even a distaste for the idea and I never pushed it. I am pleased that he sings now with us during our devotional time. :D


They say music actually hleps to improve academic performance. Figures the two with ADHD and dyslexia don't take any music lessons. What is that scripture about those who have much, more will be required; and those who have little even what they have will be taken from them? Probably quoted that wrong. Just thought of it for some reason. :?

[~Tara~]

I think piano is a good place to start. To learn the basics, notes, reading music or what have ya, that kind of things. I, myself, haven't the first clue about anything musical. My hubby knows a bit, he can read music and fumble his way through some piano and is teaching himself guitar (his family is all quite musical, except 1 brother who I don't think does anything..anyway...)

I agree not to let them give up too easily. I wish I had been encouraged to do ANYthing as a child. Hubby says the same thing.

My kids have messed with the piano a bit. Again, going on hubby's knowledge (he does have a music minor, took piano in Bible college) and some easy teaching books. They were both doing quite well...we just lost consistency. Now they're both picking up the guitar, with dad's lead. We'll try to keep to this one a little better.

I would say, if he shows an interest in violin, let him try it. Let the teacher be the judge of whether he needs something else first, if violin is too tough for a starter, I haven't a clue. But I would think the best way to encourage a child in a love of music is to let them lead. He may go with the violin for a year or whatever then decide to try something else. Or he may decide after 3 months the violin isn't it. From there..whether to let him give up so soon or not, would likely be best discussed with his teacher. If he's doing well with it, has just lost interest, maybe push him to hang in for just a wee bit longer. Or at least don't let him completely drop music. Say..ok if you think violin is not for you..what DO you want to play?

It may take a while for a kid to find 'their' instrument. The one they "like" and "dream" of playing, may not be a good fit for them once they try it, KWIM?

Anyway, I have completely rambled and likely not made much sense nor helped a lick LOL My apologies. I'll go eat now :roll:

[Crissyanna]

I think starting him out on piano to learn music theory would probably be best. Though, to warn you, it may not work that way. My mother tried teaching me piano as a child, I could never get the hang of it. I can read music for the most part though. My husband always wanted to learn how to play guitar. He started begging for one at the age of three. His mom went out and bought him a toy one and he would have nothing to do with it because it wasn't real. They enrolled him in piano lessons at about five and continued those for sevreal years, and was told by several teachers that he wasn't practicing enough, that he just didn't understand it or whatever. One of his teachers was actually a piano proffessor at a Christian college where they lived and she said he'd never play it. (he had to learn for his degree, and after trying several times in piano proficiency I and then three attempts at piano profeicincy II, he passed his piano requirement. And this was with practicing more than double what they were told to do). His mom was able to get him into guitar lessons when he was five and a half or six. He's been playing ever since. He also knows music theory and can read it very well, even though he never truly has mastered piano.

Just remember that each kid is different. You can try the piano thing, but if it doesn't work, don't give up on music (is he a leftie? Both my husband and I are and I think that may be part of our piano problems. Other lefties I know have problems playing too. It is a right hand dominant instrument). My husband and I decided that all of our kids will be exposed to music and they will learn at least one instrument (hubby also can play bass and dabbles in percussion. I can't play anything except a cd player. DH has tried to teach me guitar, but I can either strum or change the cords, not both). We will let them chose what it is, but they will learn something.

[stephwhiz]

My ds has taken piano lessons since he was 5 years old. He wanted to take them when he was 3 but his teacher prefers they wait until they know their abc's extremely well.

He loves the piano and the organ. He loves to sing too and can't wait until he's in the 4th grade so he can join the chorus :D .

Stephanie :D

[Donna B.]

My oldest plays the trumpet. It's music to my ears to hear him play. He's only been playing for a year.

My 8 year old just took his first guitar lessons with a group. He would need more continual lesson. This was just preliminary to see if he liked it. But like your son, anything that seems like it takes too much work he "doesn't like anymore" UGH! That's been my frustration this summer with him. I'm hoping it's just a phase of his. So I plan on making him continue with lessons after soccer season is over.

I just asked my five year old tonight at dinner if he would be interested in taking piano. I'm dying for someone to take piano....and he said "sure". He's my compliant child. I really think piano is a great way to go. And if you want to play percussion in our school you have to have 2 years of piano first.

I personally played piano, and clarinet. I loved playing and wished I would have kept playing into college and beyond. I want to get a piano to get the boys interested. I love music.

I would let him persue his interest, but let him know that he must stick with it for a designated period of time. (Whatever you feel is appropiate). That's what I'm going to do with my guys.

[PianoMama]

As a piano teacher I will give my humble opinion:

I think music is part of a well rounded education.

I would suggest starting piano lessons after your child can read. As others have said, piano is a wonderful foundation for musical knowledge. I played the piano for 6 years before I decided to learn the violin and other instruments. By then I could read music, I had developed an ear for intonation and I had good rhythm. The violin is hard to learn.

I have had many students taking lessons for various reasons: they wanted to, their parents were making them, etc, etc...It's much easier on the teacher, student and parents if it's enjoyable, but at the same time, I didn't like piano lessons when I was young!

Please PM me if you have any more questions! I could go on and on!!

8)

[jwright]

Thanks everyone, I too was thinking it would be best to start him out on piano and see how he does with that. It would also get him started on learning to read music (I'm assuming). Also we have a family in our church with older girls (high school/college age) that play piano well so I might approach them to see if they would be interested in showing him how to play. I think at this point, I may treat it a bit more like a hobby type thing just to see if he has interest in it. I don't want to be fighting with him to do it, if he wants to learn, he will have the opportunity. Does any of this make sense? Even though in my mind I might think of it more as a hobby, I will probably come up with something like he must take __ # of lessons before "giving up". I guess too I want to think of it more as a hobby until I know if he really wants to do this or if he's just all talk. KWIM? If he likes it and wants to keep doing it then I would get a bit more serious about the lessons.

Guess I better talk to dh about it and see what he says too. Maybe he has some ideas. In ds's school for 5th grade music class they all learn some basic piano which I thought was good. He has a few more years until he gets there though since he's starting 2nd grade in 10 days.

Janell

[jengrant]

My ds is too young, but I started playing the piano at 3 by ear and started taking lessons when I was 6. I loved it. I went on to music festivals and loved playing in recitals, even made a couple of honors recitals. I think if your child is showing interest, then go for it. I think it helps round out learning too. I miss playing the piano, we are in an apartment and don't have the room.

[jen1981]

I also was a piano teacher before we had our kids and took lessons for about 6 years. Please make sure he really wants to take lessond before he starts and knows what is involved such as practicing every day, etc. Also, please, please find him a reputable teacher. Ask around and see if you can listen in on a lesson or recital before choosing a teacher. It is crucial that he get a good start in music. My first teacher was someone who just did it "on the side" and it caused us so much frustration to have to relearn everything with a good teacher. Yes, it will be more expensive, but he will be getting a wonderful foundation and he will be pushed and inspired to do even better than he thinks he can.

[wesleysmom0604]

My son is super into music and I was gonna sign him up for toddler music class, but it was terribly expensive. He will just have to settle for singing at home and church for now.