2/03/2014

How To Make Music Lessons A Big 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 many children, lessons at school are the introduction to learning an instrument, and this typically begins around the fourth or fifth grade. While this can be a great experience, sometimes this method of instruction lacks pizzazz and the music choices might not truly reflect your child's musical leanings. Taking private lessons in addition to school lessons can be a good way to keep interest high. Your child will have more success and faster progress with the extra instruction, which can be a huge motivator.

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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