While most students begin taking private music lessons between the ages of four and eight, every child is different. Younger children require more intense involvement from at least one parent; and teenagers may not benefit from any parental oversight at all. Besides age, other factors to consider are the child’s personality, instrumental and musical preferences, expectations, resources (time and money), and your family’s lifestyle; yes, playing an instrument requires a commitment from the entire family. Photo: Hope Academy student, Anna Bai, getting her first violin (1/10 size) at Resonance Violins last week.
Taking a music class is a good way to evaluate your child’s interest and our Wednesday after-school singing and drumming classes are free! And once your child is playing an instrument they can participate in EL CEO (East Liberty Community Engagement Orchestra) our free orchestra on Saturdays from 3:00 to 4:30 pm.
Hope Academy currently has 85 students studying piano, strings, voice, guitar, bass, organ, French horn, clarinet, flute and percussion — so if you are interested in music lessons for your child there are teachers here who can talk with you about your options.
Dr. Gayle Kowalchyk (co-author of more than 150 educational piano books including the Music for Little Mozarts series aimed at pre-K students) gives some good advice to parents of young children here; and this article provides more in-depth information about music education for school aged children. This Guide to Great Home Music Practice will give you some ideas about reinforcing and structuring practice time.
If you are considering renting an instrument (and for beginning students this is the best option), check out Resonance Violins (for string instruments) and Volkwein’s (for string and band instruments). If you are buying an instrument please talk with your teacher first; they will be able to provide some guidance and help you to get the best instrument for your money.