How did your kids learn to play an instrument?

[mommyoffive]

Did you teach them yourself?

 

Online lessons?

What did you use for this if you went this route?

 

In person lessons?

 

Group or private?

 

Did you use the public schools for this?

 

What worked or didn't work for you?

 

If you went for group or private lessons how much where those?   What is a good rate to seek for that?

[kroe1]

Private piano lessons starting at about age 6 or 7. I think it was roughly $50 an hour.

[Guest]

Private lessons, and I always expect to pay .75-1.00 a minute for the better teachers :)

[6packofun]

I didn't think my kids would be able to take classes.  We just can't afford them.  But one of the youth leader interns at our church (college age) decided that he wanted to help teach more students to play guitar or piano to help out with the music and so my 2 teens get to learn!  We have a guitar and an electronic Casio keyboard that work well enough and they can use the ones at church, too.  It's great!  They are learning in a small group of kids they already sort of know and are enjoying it a lot.

 

We ARE supplementing with some online tutorials and info about reading music.  The guy they are learning from sort of wants to get them "up and running" quickly so I know they are missing some fundamentals, but I remember how to read music and so that helps.

 

I know many families who paid or bartered services from friends!  (Churches have lots of musical people...if you don't attend, you could check out some of the larger local churches and see if they have a classifieds board or newsletter--often people offer their services!)

[Bluegoat]

A mix.  My kids had some group lessons with theory/piano/singing as kids, and one took a recreation department group guitar class.  The guitar class was $30 for 10 weeks, the other kids class about $15 a week for an hour lesson.  It was well worth it for their ages, they finished the program (3 years) with better music reading skills than most kids who don't play an instrument come out of high school with.  So I considered that a very good investment for our homeschool.

 

As they've got older they have both done some private piano/singing and the one has done private guitar.  Private lessons here tend to run around $30 for 1/2 hour though we have better value with the private teacher than with the school, as he really goes the extra mile for the kids.

 

My eldest has done violin through the school system ,which is a group lesson twice a week for elementary, and after that a lesson once and orchestra once a week.  The lessons are free, the orchestra is $40 a year.  There have been some back and forth on whether homeschool kids should be eligible but for now they are.  The progress in these lessons is less than it would be privately but very affordable.

 

My kids have also all been in our parish jr choir, which includes some really good musical education as well as good singing - they competed at the provincial level of the music festival last year.  And it's free and open to anyone.  If we had nothing to spend on music, I feel like this would be at least as good as whet they'd get in public school.

[lllll]

nm

Edited October 5, 2016 by 1' n'ye

[MinivanMom]

Private lessons.

 

The going rate in our area  is $1 per minute. You might pay a little less for lessons with someone who doesn't have a degree in the instrument, and you will probably pay quite a bit more for lessons with a conservatory level teacher.

[Bambam]

We have a local homeschool band where the director taught most of the kids to play. For free. Except the cost of instrument. We started early, so we found a college student to give oldest lessons.

Youngest wanted piano, so private lessons for her $15/half-hour.

[StephanieZ]

In person lessons. 

 

Once a week private lessons. During the early years, with Suzuki teachers, there was also a weekly group lesson. 

 

Rates have varied from about 45/hr to 180/hr (that rate was painful, but a world class artist for a very gifted student/child). Lessons were 30 min when the kids were under 8 or so, and 60-90 minutes by the time they were young teens. 

 

I am sure you can luck into a great teacher for less money, but my experience has been that professional/adult teachers need to charge about that to make a reasonable living, and I'm OK with that. 

 

My kids started as toddlers/preschoolers with Suzuki violin. Other instruments were added around age 6 (guitar - middle, piano - baby, harp - oldest) based on the kid's choice/preference/begging. 

 

My oldest used an online harp teacher for her last two years of high school when our local teacher became difficult to work with. That worked great, and was about 75/hr. I wouldn't try that with a younger child, though. DD was very independent and musically mature by the time she did that. For an unusual instrument or in a situation like ours where an appropriate teacher isn't locally available, online is a decent option. We drove up to 400 miles round trip for lessons over the years, as two of my kids studied more rare instruments (classical guitar, harp), so high level teachers aren't readily available in every area.

 

(The really long drive and highest expense was for the guitarist, and he was/is a prodigy-type guitarist, so he had exceptional needs for a teacher that couldn't be met in our region.)

 

 

Music lessons and instruments were a huge part of our budget for many years . . . But all our kids have music in their hearts and brains for KEEPS now and they all still are active musicians. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ali in OR]

We did private lessons for piano and I honestly don't remember the cost--I know we paid by the semester up front and had two kids in lessons. But the girls then learned their band instruments just by taking band at the public middle school. I'm sure the piano background helped, but basically most kids in the class are starting from scratch in 6th grade and if they stick with it, they are decent musicians by high school. The school even owns some of the instruments (the big and/or expensive ones), so there isn't necessarily an instrument cost. We bought a used clarinet and borrowed a trumpet from an uncle.

[AmandaVT]

DS has been taking private piano lessons for 2 1/2 years. We pay $109/month for 30 minute lessons. 

[happypamama]

They and DH obsessed over it and looked up YouTube videos, online tutorials, DIY books, and a computer program that works with real guitars, and now they are all quite competent on the guitar. Maybe not the ideal way, but they CAN play pretty well, which is more than they could before all the self teaching. DH took guitar lessons for a few months as a kid and said that he learned more in a few hours than he did with a guitar teacher because of the immediate feedback from the computer as to whether he did things right or not. He also worked his way through a couple of self teaching books and is working through them with the kids (they're so cute -- they sit in a circle, each with a guitar, and they work through the steps together) so they get more of the theory and all.

 

DD is also teaching herself keyboard in a similar way. It's not the same as a teacher, but I can't afford that, so it's DIY or nothing.

[Closeacademy]

She plays violin.

 

We did group lessons through the local homeschool group which is a very affordable rate.  Just a little more per semester than what we pay for private lessons per month.

 

We just added in private lesson this year as she starts high school because she wants to get serious about music. We do these through the local music shop. (I added in extra hours at work to pay for them.)

Edited October 1, 2016 by Closeacademy is me

[Donna]

All three started with weekly private lessons and dd, who started violin with the Suzuki method, also had a weekly group lesson.

 

Rates have varied from $18/half hour for drum and guitar teacher (for boys respectively) to up to $120 for 90 min lessons for dd for a couple years.

 

Both dd and ds have done occasional lessons over Skype at different times when travel was an issue. Dd has two students she teaches using Skype right now.

[catz]

My kids both started in an early childhood music program until they were 4 or 5.  Then they went into private Suzuki lessons (boy in piano, girl in violin).  At 12 my son added voice.  At 14 he added guitar.  Daughter started voice at 11.  The violin girl also does groups and orchestra with violin.

 

Music lessons have been great here in so many ways beyond mastering an instrument.  We pay at a low $27 for a 30 minute lesson.  My son's hour long piano lesson is probably more like $75.  All our music teachers are high trained (masters degree, ongoing performing, ongoing training and development).

[Guest]

I started teaching DS piano at 4. At 7, he started private lessons. Two years ago he added violin and then just recently took up harp. Piano is $150/month for one hour a week, plus 20 minute theory labs per week and various events/competitions/recitals throughout the year. Teacher has an advanced degree from a Russian conservatory and has been teaching for 30+ years. Harp is $100 for two lessons per month plus one performance class a month. Teacher is the principal harpist for a couple philharmonics and trained at both Juilliard and Manhattan. Violin is $80/30 minutes weekly. Teacher is a highly qualified friend :)

[Julie Smith]

Private lessons. 

 

 

[Suzanne in ABQ]

All three of my kids play piano, and learned through a combination of private lessons and mom lessons.  My first actually had private teachers her whole six years.  I sat in on all lessons, and learned by watching.  The next two had a year with me before having outside teachers.  My youngest is back home with me because her teacher took leave to have a baby, intending to return, but didn't.  We just found our groove and didn't find another teacher.  Dd is very close to finishing her Level 3 books.  When she finishes those (with mom as teacher), she can decide if she wants to pursue piano seriously.  If she does, I'll find her a "serious" teacher.  If she doesn't, I'll just let her play what she wants, and/or get her the Level 4 book and go through it with her.

 

 

[knoxinsox]

We can't afford piano lessons, so we use Hoffman Academy online. Free and good quality lessons...I was pleasantly surprised.

[gardenmom5]

my girls had some private lessons as we could afford them.  mostly school orchestra.

 

I've been teaching myself piano with bastian and alfred all-in-one methods.

 

dudeling has done piano lessons with a private teacher.  she's able to tailor the method to the student.  there are many many courses out there.

[Julie Smith]

Private lessons. 

 

It costs 35 dollars for 1 hour + (Two boys, one for about 40 minutes, the other for 30 minutes)

 

 

[freesia]

A crazy mix up

1st child--piano with a high school student who was qualified to teach beginners ($15 per half hour); drum from a church that runs a music program 4 hours a week for free (or $50 per 10 week session) b/c they get a grant--lower income town.

 

2nd--drums at above church for a couple of years, beginner lessons with highschooler, now private lessons ($25 per 1/2 hour); organ free from a church member who is thrilled someone of her generation wants to learn the organ

 

3rd--drums as above, piano for 2 years with high school student, guitar at above church for the past 2 years

 

4th--drums for a year at church above, now private piano lessons --see second child.

 

There is no doubt the ones taking the professional one-on-one lessons (the church ones are group) are making the most progress.  However, unlike friends who are spending around 10,000 dollars a year on lessons for their 3 children, we don't have that kind of money.  I was happy giving them a start in music--some exposure and trusting the money/opportunities would come up. And they have.  In crazy amazing ways.

[LucyStoner]

My husband and I have helped with rhythm and simple lessons when they were tiny. They have a weekly private lesson each back to back. What we pay is under market.

 

My younger son will probably also access orchestra via the public school when he gets old enough.

[magnificent_baby]

Suzuki piano lessons; $120/month. Invested in a brand new piano after about 3 years ($2,500?). Very much worth the investment of time and money, IMO.

 

Piano lessons also made DD eligible to play percussion at school which comes very easy due to many years of piano. I had no idea how rare the ability to play piano is these days; only a handful of kids in her big school can play. I think that's really cool considering everything is so sports focused here and is very unique (her friends beg her to play for them when they come over!).

 

Yes, expensive when considering we are going on 8 years now but I don't regret it at all. She will thank me someday, I hope!  :laugh:  

[DawnM]

middle son taught himself

I have offered lessons and still offer them but he hasn't taken me up on it.

[hopskipjump]

In-person lessons and homeschool band were the first step. As the kids improved (and took their instruments seriously), more lengthy and serious lessons followed, youth orchestras, university-level orchestras (that have let the kids participate so long as they can keep up with the music).

 

Lessons have varied wildly from $10/hour (from a wonderful, older teacher who gave my kids lessons until they "outgrew" him musically) to $40/hour. My kids' current teachers are either recently-graduated with their master's degrees, or currently earning their degrees (bachelor's or master's, depending on the instrument), and they are all excellent, excellent. :)

 

 

 

[Arcadia]

Piano - self taught. My kids will ask me for pointers if they want to. I had my childhood piano when my oldest was born, then bought a piano here when kids were under 2 as we didn't bring my piano when we relocated. So they grew up banging on the piano keys as toddlers.

 

Flute - group intro class at a music and art center, then individual class at instructor's home when he wanted to continue with flute $70/hr

 

Cello - individual lesson at a music school then change to individual lesson at an instructor's home. $70/hr

[Dmmetler]

DD was in ECED music classes from 6 weeks, and yes, I mean weeks. Since she was also a preemie, she basically started on her due date. It was mostly curiosity-I'm an elementary and early childhood orff specialist, with Suzuki recorder training, so I know what I can do with kids starting at about age 3, but had no clue what you'd do in the classes with babies! I'd planned to put her in Suzuki, but by age 3, she was really interested in the visual language of music notation, and seemed much better suited fro traditional instruction. She also loved piano, and would pick out her songs on it. She began working through materials I had at home with me. She finished the ECED program at age 6 and began private instruction with the same instructor she'd had for the group classes (because Indidn't want her in my class at that age). She transitioned to repertoire several years ago.

 

I pay about $100/month, which, frankly, is really low, but I also help her instructor's DD with high school math while DD is in her lesson :).

[SparklyUnicorn]

I had both in private violin lessons, but they weren't interested so I didn't insist they continue with it.  One is in a select choir.  I paid for two private sessions to prepare for the audition, but otherwise have not gotten him more private lessons (he isn't interested in private lessons). 

 

We aren't allowed to participate in anything school sponsored.  I wish because that would be way more affordable.  And that is also why I would not insist because if they aren't interested I do not want to pay that kind of money for "not interested". 

[regentrude]

I failed in that department. Neither of my kids actually learned to play the piano.

We had private lessons; DD took six years, DS took 3 years. Neither was interested in continuing.

But DD has chosen to sing in choirs, and has been singing in various ensembles since she was 11.

 

 

[goldberry]

DD refused piano lessons and had no interest in learning.  At about 9th grade, I was ready to get rid of the piano.  She said, no, wait.  She asked me, "Can you print something out that shows me what the notes are?"  I did.  

 

She found songs she wanted to learn on the internet and taught herself.  Then she asked for the book of Phantom of the Opera songs, and taught herself the whole book.  She also writes her own songs.

 

She has no interest in lessons, and no, is not great, but a fairly nice player.  She enjoys it.  

 

I'll take it!

Edited October 2, 2016 by goldberry

[lllll]

nm

Edited October 5, 2016 by 1' n'ye

[Lady Florida.]

My son was around 9 when he said he wanted an electric guitar. About a year earlier his older brother (dss) gave him an acoustic guitar that his mother had given him. While he appreciated the gift he didn't have time to teach himself to play so he gave it to ds. Ds showed no interest in it. I told ds that if he wanted an electric guitar he first needed to take lessons with the acoustic to see if he was really interested in guitar.

 

He took private lessons at a local mom and pop music store. After a few months when it became obvious the interest was real we bought him an inexpensive electric guitar from that store. He continued lessons even after he was capable of continuing on his own, because I thought it was good for him to have that teacher relationship and something that was his own thing.

 

He's now 19, bought himself a better quality electric guitar a few years ago, and continues to play and improve. He wanted a banjo and we bought him one for his most recent birthday. He also found an old ukulele at FIL's house, which he took home and fixed. And he bought a wooden cigar box at a yard sale about a year ago and made himself a cigar box guitar. Now he wants a classical guitar.

 

Beware of stringed instruments (see above).The first one seems to be a gateway instrument.  :lol:  :lol:

 

ETA: The lessons were $20 for a half hour lesson, once a week. That was a number of years ago though, so I don't know what it would be now. Ds has also been giving beginning lessons to homeschoolers (private, individual, in-home) and is charging $15 for a 30 minute lesson. However, that's because he's not a teacher and he only gives beginning lessons. If they want to go farther, they either need to find a more experienced teacher or learn on their own.

Edited October 2, 2016 by Lady Florida.

[Mabelen]

Piano - Older daughter, private Suzuki lessons for 6 years, then traditional for another 3. She started teaching younger sister for 1 year using the Faber books for the pre-K crowd. Older daughter is away at college and occasionally plays for fun when she is home. Younger sister then transferred to traditional private piano teacher, now she is in her 5th year and plans to continue long term.

 

Clarinet - younger daughter took a week's free group summer camp lessons at music store. Then, once a week band session at school in 5th grade. In 6th grade, she switched to the bass clarinet for daily band sessions at the middle school. She wants to join the Jazz band that meets once a week after school but bassoon teacher recommended to wait one year to have her bassoon embochure well established first. The plan is to join in 8th grade and then have the clarinet as her marching band season instrument in high school.

 

Bassoon - private teacher starting this last summer, concurrently with daily band sessions at middle school during the school year. This should be her main instrument during high school.

[catz]

(snip) I'd planned to put her in Suzuki, but by age 3, she was really interested in the visual language of music notation, and seemed much better suited fro traditional instruction. She also loved piano, and would pick out her songs on it. She began working through materials I had at home with me. (snip)

 

I just wanted to mention and this is totally me projecting defensively (I know you aren't saying anything negative about Suzuki! :) ) that my kid started a sight reading curriculum with his piano teacher the day he started Suzuki piano.  I know Suzuki and especially the piano program can get a bad rap about teaching kids to read.  It did take a while for my son's note reading ability to come up to par with his playing ability, but he was always working on it both in practice and at lesson.  Because he was a kid that could pick out tunes before starting piano, he advanced very quickly through the early Suzuki repertoire.  I really think Suzuki kids that aren't reading either 1) have a poorly trained teacher or 2) are EXTREME aural learners that refuse to practice sight reading as a skill (and I do know a couple kids like this).  We've been to a number of Suzuki institutes and reading has always been valued at them too by some of the best teachers that are often also involved teaching at colleges, etc.

 

My Suzuki violin kid did not learn to read during Suzuki book 1, but the ear component is really more important with violin and she had some note learning books by book 2.  She was like 5 at that point, so still quite young. Kids that start older usually jump into reading as soon as good hand positions and posture is established in reputable programs.  We are part of the oldest, largest, and most established Suzuki program in the country.  Our program has group note reading classes and then orchestra (which requires reading) starting for kids when they can reliably handle a more structured group situation.

 

Anyway, sorry for putting on my Suzuki defense cap.  I just like to say that as a long time Suzuki family (10 years now), we've not had issues with the reading component of Suzuki.  Now that we've hired 9+ different music teachers over the years (Suzuki and not), I really think teacher fit with student is way more important than the method they proclaim to use.  A good teacher will customize the method to fit the student or switch things up if necessary and not be married to a particular book set or repertoire. 

Edited October 2, 2016 by WoolySocks

[SKL]

My kids took piano lessons at school (after-school arrangement with outside teacher) from age 4-8.  We practiced at home.

 

At 9 they started "beginning band" at school.  They practiced a little at home, but not much.  That is still the situation.  They do some piano on their own, more for fun than anything else.

 

One of my kids is starting to teach herself the violin at home.  That should be interesting.  I need to see what old books I have.  :)

 

It's not too different from when I was a kid.  I taught myself piano from my brother's lesson books.  I learned violin at school.  Later I taught myself trumpet and french horn to play in the school band.

 

I like the idea of online learning, but we haven't tried that yet.  I think one of my kids might enjoy that.

[HS Mom in NC]

In person private lessons for piano, violin and guitar. 

 

My youngest is learning to play the ukulele with youtube lessons.

[Julie Smith]

What is nice is the piano teacher is really close to my house. If something comes up the kids can go without me. About 6 months ago the piano teacher got two new kittens. So when one boy has a lesson I would sit in the other room with the other boy and snuggle kittens. :) 

 

I really like the fact the boys have a good relationship with her. They have been with her for 4? years, so the boys - especially youngest doesn't really remember a time not having piano lessons with her. It is good for them to experience another teacher. Hearing them tell me about the lessons from their perspective is nice. She also sometimes pushes them harder than I do. It's also just a nice change for me. For the piano practicing I am now and have been for some time really hands off. 

[LMD]

Private violin lessons ($60 an hour) from around age 5. Regular and consistent practice. They start to get really good at about 10...

 

A bit of piano at home by me, fun and casual and supports the violin.

 

Eta - dd self taught guitar from books, but she had plenty of music background (above) to draw on.

Edited October 2, 2016 by LMD

[zaichiki]

 I'd planned to put her in Suzuki, but by age 3, she was really interested in the visual language of music notation, and seemed much better suited fro traditional instruction. She also loved piano, and would pick out her songs on it. 

 

Another "Suzuki" and music notation comment (not meant defensively, but to share information/experience that others might not realize is out there) --

 

My oldest began Suzuki cello at 5.  He has always been much more of a visual learner (scary visual-spatial skills but sometimes I wondered if he had some sort of auditory glitch... something affecting auditory memory and auditory attention).  Suzuki instruction was like therapy somehow and years of it really strengthened his auditory skills. He learned to sightread in book 2 (his second year of instruction) and it quickly became his preferred method of learning new music.  However, he stayed with Suzuki for many more years (sightreading to learn pieces outside of the repertoire *and* listening to the Suzuki repertoire CDs). He played in orchestras and chamber music ensembles. He had flexible and creative Suzuki teachers (within strong Suzuki programs/Suzuki music schools). It was win-win.

 

Dd began Suzuki viola at 3. She also learned to sightread in her second year.  (Her Suzuki teacher used I Can Read Music.)  Dd started in the student orchestra that year.  She was 5. She's been in orchestras and ensembles ever since and is a good sight-reader, even considering her dyslexia, which makes sight-reading a challenge. She stayed with Suzuki for 6 years before transitioning to a traditional teacher. I credit her first Suzuki teacher for teaching her to be a strong sight-reader and her second Suzuki teacher for emphasizing sightreading in group classes each year (they played four-part viola ensembles *and* world music  -- it was very cool!).  Dd also played in a quartet at that Suzuki school beginning at age 8. She now attends an internationally renowned pre-college music program (with lots of sightreading).  It was the Suzuki method and her wonderful Suzuki teachers who taught her what she needed to know to do well there. (PS With few exceptions, every strings student in this pre-college program started out with the Suzuki method.)

 

I'm now on my fourth go-round with a child in a Suzuki program -- dd(6) is learning violin. Who knows how long/how far she'll go, but I know the Suzuki program (well, this one, anyway) is where she needs to start. She began her Twinkles in the spring and she's just now wading in the first pages of I Can Read Music. So far so good. : )

[zaichiki]

Did you teach them yourself?

 

Online lessons?

What did you use for this if you went this route?

 

In person lessons?

 

Group or private?

 

Did you use the public schools for this?

 

What worked or didn't work for you?

 

If you went for group or private lessons how much where those?   What is a good rate to seek for that?

Four kids have started with Suzuki 30-45 minute private lessons (with a weekly 45 min-1 hour group class). This was 34 weeks a year and the cost averaged to about $1500/year per kid.  After a couple of years this price also included a weekly orchestra rehearsal and later, for an additional $400, a weekly quartet coaching.

 

Dd(14) took private piano lessons from a traditional teacher for about 8 weeks... for $15 per 30 minute lesson... back when she was 8/9... but it was the wrong teacher fit and it ended up badly. It didn't work for her. Dd didn't touch the piano (not even a finger) for 2 years.  Finally she started messing around on it again, slowly... and used a "teach yourself" curriculum for a few months.  She didn't have the motivation and drive to continue with it.  It was enough of a start to help her get comfortable with the piano and now she pretty much just improvises around, mostly by ear.  She does apply sightreading and music theory skills she's learned in her ear training/music theory classes.  Her technique is likely *non-existent* but she can play for fun and can accompany her little sister. At some point in the future she will likely take a "keyboarding skills" class.

 

The rate you find will be consistent with the COL in your area and the education/experience of the teacher.  Be sure to ask around because it can be a challenge to figure out which teacher will be the right fit without actually trying them out. If you can, ask the potential teacher if you and your child can sit in on (watch) one of their lessons before you commit.  The right teacher fit makes all the difference! Good luck!

Edited October 3, 2016 by zaichiki

[Amy in NH]

I can teach beginning piano, but it's always the first thing to fall by the wayside when life gets busy, so about four years ago I hired out piano. Our teacher does 1/2 hour lessons for $10 weekly.

 

Dd picked up harp last winter and we travel an hour round trip every other week for $40/1 hour lesson.

 

The kids practice their instruments for at least 20 minutes per day per instrument, and have made great progress. I let them have one day off per week from practice, their choice.

Edited October 3, 2016 by Amy in NH

[dirty ethel rackham]

Teach them myself??  Ha.  I can barely read music.  (How I got an A in Music Theory in college when I thought I was taking Music Appreciation ... got me!) 

 

We had our kids take piano lessons from a private instructor.  We had a teacher in our neighborhood that taught in her home.  We went with her for a year.  Then my BIL was able to give lessons at our home.  When he moved, we tried someone else and he worked for a while, but then he took a second job and got really disorganized due to sleep deprivation. 

[mommyoffive]

Thanks for all the replies. 

 

I am looking at doing a strings program for my kids.  Suzuki for the youngest ones.  It is $250 a semester per kid.   Which is 30mins a week private lesson and 50 min group lesson every other week. 

 

Sounds like that is an acceptable rate. 

 

Anyone want to way in more for the Suzuki method for very young kids?   I am trying to convince dh of it.  Is of worth for a 3 or 4 year old?  

[Julie Smith]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

I am looking at doing a strings program for my kids. Suzuki for the youngest ones. It is $250 a semester per kid. Which is 30mins a week private lesson and 50 min group lesson every other week.

 

Sounds like that is an acceptable rate.

 

Anyone want to way in more for the Suzuki method for very young kids? I am trying to convince dh of it. Is of worth for a 3 or 4 year old?

From what I read, and heard from other parents it is only worth it if:

 

- The kid really wants to do it, as in already spends lots of time a day playing with instruments

- The parent really wants and is interested in doing the program

- it is in the family budget in the terms of money and time

 

Otherwise wait till the kid is older.

[catz]

From what I read, and heard from other parents it is only worth it if:

 

- The kid really wants to do it, as in already spends lots of time a day playing with instruments

- The parent really wants and is interested in doing the program

- it is in the family budget in the terms of money and time

 

Otherwise wait till the kid is older.

 

:iagree:   I started one kid in Suzuki violin at 4 (the other started Suzuki piano at 5).  It was a natural next step from doing a kindermusik style class for several years where they did an excellent job creating momentum and excitement for music.  If you haven't done an early childhood group class that gets kids singing, marching and clapping to beats, drumming, listening to a teacher, following directions,  etc that is an excellent first step without the commitment level and expense of a Suzuki program. 

 

Besides expense, the first year (or even longer) of starting a musical instrument with a young kid is building a practice habit and creating a fun and safe space to practice.  You are an enthusiastic practice partner.  That means coming to the instrument every day, playing games, keeping it fresh.    Sometimes starting early doesn't mean fast progress.  My dd started at 4 and was caught up with the kids her age that started as 2 and 3 year old beginners within 6 months in most cases and certainly by her 2nd year was passing many up.   I know kids that started at 6 or 7 that screamed ahead too.  So I don't think an earlier start necessarily equals amazing playing at an early age. 

 

That said, as a homescholing family, I always felt like the music gave some structure and focus to our days.  My kid started at 4 and is 12 now and is reasonably advanced for age.  She is a "casual" player.  She enjoys it, especially groups and orchestra for the social piece.  But if she decided to focus, she would be well aligned for music at college.  But she isn't super focused.  It's been good for both of my kids, but if it makes sense to wait a while and re-evaluate I think that can totally be fine and work too.   I think my kids have learned many things through taking committed private music lessons that have nothing to do with music.

 

I really do think early childhood music is a great segue to private lessons if you haven't tried anything like that.

Edited October 6, 2016 by WoolySocks

[skimomma]

Thanks for all the replies. 

 

I am looking at doing a strings program for my kids.  Suzuki for the youngest ones.  It is $250 a semester per kid.   Which is 30mins a week private lesson and 50 min group lesson every other week. 

 

Sounds like that is an acceptable rate. 

 

Anyone want to way in more for the Suzuki method for very young kids?   I am trying to convince dh of it.  Is of worth for a 3 or 4 year old?  

 

My dd started Suzuki at age 4.  She is 13 now and is close to finishing Book 10.  Our program varies in price based on level and activities but it basically breaks down to $1/minute for lessons, free group/parent classes, and about $200/year for extras like orchestra or chamber groups.  There is also an annual $150 fee that covers  t-shirts, recitals, piano accompaniment, master classes, and other general non-lesson-specific things.  It is expensive but we have had a very good experience and think it is worth every penny.  Dd started learning by ear and memorization but our program does introduce reading music by the time they start Book 2, even earlier for older students.  

 

For kids as young as yours, you will need to commit to years of being present for lessons and every home practice session.  My dd did not fully own her practicing until age 10, with partial independence starting at age 8.  My dd is very musically interested and has since branched out into different genres on violin and has added mandolin and ukulele on her own.

 

We are currently faced with a dilemma because our local teacher is likely leaving the area next year.  There are no other teachers at dd's level within 100 miles (maybe more).  We are considering some sort of Skype/online option with occasional travel.  We are not sure at all how that will work out.

[Julie Smith]

My boys started piano at a similar young age. But the reason they started so young is my literal next door neighbor was a piano teacher. I wanted them to get to know the neighbor, I also wanted to get to know her. Having just moved to the area we knew nobody. She gave me a deal, that if I remember correctly she charged 10 dollars a week to give them each a 10 minute piano lesson. Afterwards the two of us would sit around and have a drink and a visit. 

[Bluegoat]

My girls started in K taking the Music For Young Children program.  It's a great program for younger kids as it uses early childhood approaches, which IME a lot of private teachers don't.  It's a group class so also very motivating - they do singing, piano, rythym ensemble, and so on.  By te timer they finihed year three they had really solid basic skills and went to a private teacher for piano/singing.

 

My son is a little different, he's in K and just turned 7, we might start right with a private lesson, we'll see.  He is in the children's choir at church with the girls and he and I have done a little ukelele.

 

My eldest does violin at school, and dd9 has done some guitar as well.

 

Our choir is free, other lessons I've always paid for.  about $13 an hour for MYC which is a great price, and $25 or $30 a half-hour for private.  Although ds and i learned the uke off of youtube.

[AngieW in Texas]

My dh was forced to take piano for ten years. As a result, he never wanted to touch a piano or any musical instrument again afterward. We have been married for 28 years and I have never heard him play despite the fact that we owned a full-sized keyboard with weighted keys for 10 years.

 

So he thought it would be a brilliant idea to force our oldest to do the same thing.

 

Our oldest took private piano lessons for one year and absolutely hated it. She agreed to try group lessons for one year and thought that was kind of fun, but didn't want to continue after that year. That was the end of music for her.  

 

My middle dd took one year of private piano lessons in high school to count as her fine arts requirement. I was sure that she was going to choose a music or art appreciation/history course. She did her one year and was glad when it was over, but didn't regret her decision to try it.

 

My youngest asked to take guitar lessons at 11yo. The first lesson set was group. After that was private guitar lessons for 4 years. Banjo was added in at the 3-year point. After that was voice lessons for three years.

 

The only one who ever had any desire to do anything music-related was the one who asked to. The others would rather not have ever had anything to do with it.

Edited February 27, 2017 by AngieW in Texas