Many parents are often plagued with the question: how do I know if my child is ready for music lessons?
This may seem like foreign territory, especially to those who are not accustomed to the music world.
However, being ready for music lessons can be the catalyst for opening up a child’s talent.
5 Signs to Know if Your Child is Ready for Music Lessons
In this article, the five signs are:
- Your child is responsible.
- Your child needs more focused and individualized attention.
- The music from school or choir is no longer challenging.
- Your child is looking to explore auditions.
- They’ve demonstrated a dedication to their study.
Why Private Music Lessons?
Music lessons provide students an outlet through which they can hone and develop their skills. That said, they are similar to practices you teach an athlete to develop as they are beginning to play sports. In this example, music instructors act as the coaches your child needs to excel.
The Four Components of Studying Music
That being said, a typical lesson will focus on four components of study. These are: warm-ups and scales, etudes, solos, and music theory.
Firstly, warm-ups and scales will help students to wake up their vocal chords and muscles. Similar to an athlete using conditioning.
Secondly, music requires muscle memory in order to build strength. Etudes are short excerpts that focus on various techniques that an instructor wants to teach students.
Thirdly, these technical development through etudes are later translated into solo pieces. Solos or, literature studies, include a focus on one composer. Students will prepare and rehearse a piece with their instructor for an extended period of time in hopes of performing.
Lastly, students will be taught additional music theory skills during their private lessons. Meaning, instructors will help students understand the mathematical break down of the music they study.
In short, students will be expected to practice these four components outside of their lessons in order to demonstrate growth and development.
Here are five signs to know if your child is ready for music lessons:
1. Your Child is Responsible.
A good sign that your child is ready for private lessons is that they are showing you they can be responsible. This is often demonstrated through their practice habits.
If a student expresses a deep interest in practicing often and diligently, they are most likely ready for the additional challenge of private lessons.
You may be able to look to their grades as an indication
as well. For instance, good grades signify your child can handle additional extracurriculars and challenges.
Private music lessons require students and parents to be both timely and responsive. Therefore, instructors rely on organized schedules and preparedness during lessons in order for students to truly gain from their experience.
That said, students may demonstrate this by showing initiative when reaching out to instructors and preparing materials in a timely manner for their lessons.
2. Your Child Needs More Focused and Individualized Attention.
Many students reach a point where there is only so much they can learn if left to their own devices.
Therefore, private instructors can help with nuances such as posture, breathing, and phrasing. However, these can be difficult for students to spot and adjust on their own. The reason being, it takes time to recognize when these are coming into play.
Private instructors will also give students a genre to focus on. They will study composers, history, and techniques of various eras.
Additionally, instructors can teach students how to pay close attention to detail while practicing.
3. The Music From School or Choir is No Longer Challenging.
Many students are exposed to music through their public or private education.
For example, they may choose to take a vocal or instrumental class.
This helps early development, however, it can lead to students running out of challenging material.
Most learning done in these institutions is geared for a larger number of students. Therefore, musicians who are performing at higher levels, or simply looking for more of a challenge, will want to invest in private lessons in order to combat this.
Moreover, private lessons can offer an outlet for students to continually gain challenging and relevant pieces that help to improve their development as musicians.
Private instructors will be able to expose your child to a wider range of music that is geared towards their learning level and experience.
4. Your Child is Looking to Explore Auditions.
First, the world of auditions and competitions can be quite new and overwhelming to parents and students alike.
For example, auditions involve a great deal of practice and dedication.
Secondly, they differ from
large ensemble performances. This is because students will be ranked and judged by their ability alone.
But, auditions are a great way to challenge students and improve upon their talent. Additionally, they allow for a students to gain exposure to various scholarships and gigs.
Private instructors can provide feedback and knowledge regarding their experience. Most importantly, they can also help to prepare students to be successful.
Instructors will guide students through the audition materials with privatized help on solos, scales, etudes, and sight reading.
Additionally, instructors are generally involved in the audition process as judges and proctors and can be great liaisons for building connections for performance opportunities.
5. They’ve Demonstrated a Dedication to Their Study
Typically, students will tell you in their own ways that they are ready for private
instruction.
Therefore, if your child has demonstrated an interest or dedication to their vocal or instrumental study for an extended period of time, it may be time to invest in private instruction.
A private instructor can assist in developing this skill.
Listen to Your Child
Each student is different and will express interest in and readiness for private lessons in their own unique way.
As a result, you will know your student is ready for private lessons based on their responsibility level, an expressed need for more individualized attention and literature, assistance with audition requirements, and a dedication to music.
Private lessons have been proven to be essential in the growth, development, and success of musicians. The skills your child learns here will not only help them in the music world, but the real world as well.
While different students express different needs and music abilities, one thing remains consistent: private lessons and instruction can only help to improve the skills and capabilities of musicians while preparing them for their future.
So Do You Think Your Child is Ready For Music Lessons?
On that note, if you think now might be a good time to capture your child’s interest in further music education, at Martucci Music we offer music lessons that take a student further.
In addition, we teach music lessons so that students can be more self-aware and confident in their self-expression.
That said, we also help match your child with the right music teacher to encourage growth and development in a way that makes them feel passionate and comfortable.
Click below to learn more about our music program!
