Choosing Age-Appropriate Instruments and a Good Instructor

By Stephen F. Zdzinski

The right instruments at the right ages
Choices of instruments for young children are based purely on physical development, which is why keyboard and percussion instruments are a good fit beginning at preschool age. Preschool music programs can develop skills that will transfer to future study, including pitch recognition (Are the sounds high or low?), steady beat (tapping sticks, for example, as the music plays), musical timbre (What makes a drum and clarinet sound different?), and musical forms (responding to music that sounds like a march versus music that sounds like a lullaby).

Transitioning to formal lessons by age of 5 or 6, typically, children begin "formal" musical training on the piano. They learn the fundamental theoretical concepts that can easily be transferred to another instrument. The piano also is the only instrument that requires one to read both clefts of music, whereas music for the flute is written for one cleft and the trombone uses the other.

For those students choosing to begin with string instruments or piano, preschool music programs offer early experiences. Wind and brass instruments are sometimes more difficult to learn because of smaller muscle control, and band programs usually begin in the 5th grade.

Selecting an instructor
Don't simply choose the instructor who offers lessons closest to you or whose rates are lowest. Parents want teachers who will inspire their children and nurture them as they grow artistically. Ask for teacher recommendations from friends, neighbors, music stores, churches, and schools. Arrange to interview prospective teachers prior to making a commitment: sit in on a lesson or if the teacher thinks this may be too intrusive, attend the next recital. Here are some questions to ask during the interview:

• How much teaching experience do you have?
  
• Do you have a degree(s) in music? (This doesn't mean that non-college-educated teachers should not be considered. Decide how important education is to you.)
  
• What are your policies regarding fees, cancellations, and make-up lessons?
  
• Do you periodically conduct parent conferences?
  
• What instructional materials and methods do you use?
  
• How do you make lessons fun while still productive?
  
• Do you teach different kinds of music other than classical music, in case my child wants to play pop music or jazz, for instance?
  
• How much practice time do you require each day?
  
• Do you spend time helping students learn good practice habits?
  
• Do you provide performance opportunities? How often?
  
• Do you teach students to sight-read? Improvise? Memorize? Play by ear? Compose?

Parents should understand that what the teacher offers in the curriculum is paramount. The teacher should be knowledgeable, flexible, fun, and enthusiastic.

Source: Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). For more information about finding a qualified music instructor, contact MTNA at (513) 421-1420, or visit its website.

Choosing Age-Appropriate Instruments and a Good Instructor

By Stephen F. Zdzinski

The right instruments at the right ages
Choices of instruments for young children are based purely on physical development, which is why keyboard and percussion instruments are a good fit beginning at preschool age. Preschool music programs can develop skills that will transfer to future study, including pitch recognition (Are the sounds high or low?), steady beat (tapping sticks, for example, as the music plays), musical timbre (What makes a drum and clarinet sound different?), and musical forms (responding to music that sounds like a march versus music that sounds like a lullaby).

Transitioning to formal lessons by age of 5 or 6, typically, children begin "formal" musical training on the piano. They learn the fundamental theoretical concepts that can easily be transferred to another instrument. The piano also is the only instrument that requires one to read both clefts of music, whereas music for the flute is written for one cleft and the trombone uses the other.

For those students choosing to begin with string instruments or piano, preschool music programs offer early experiences. Wind and brass instruments are sometimes more difficult to learn because of smaller muscle control, and band programs usually begin in the 5th grade.

Selecting an instructor
Don't simply choose the instructor who offers lessons closest to you or whose rates are lowest. Parents want teachers who will inspire their children and nurture them as they grow artistically. Ask for teacher recommendations from friends, neighbors, music stores, churches, and schools. Arrange to interview prospective teachers prior to making a commitment: sit in on a lesson or if the teacher thinks this may be too intrusive, attend the next recital. Here are some questions to ask during the interview:

• How much teaching experience do you have?
  
• Do you have a degree(s) in music? (This doesn't mean that non-college-educated teachers should not be considered. Decide how important education is to you.)
  
• What are your policies regarding fees, cancellations, and make-up lessons?
  
• Do you periodically conduct parent conferences?
  
• What instructional materials and methods do you use?
  
• How do you make lessons fun while still productive?
  
• Do you teach different kinds of music other than classical music, in case my child wants to play pop music or jazz, for instance?
  
• How much practice time do you require each day?
  
• Do you spend time helping students learn good practice habits?
  
• Do you provide performance opportunities? How often?
  
• Do you teach students to sight-read? Improvise? Memorize? Play by ear? Compose?

Parents should understand that what the teacher offers in the curriculum is paramount. The teacher should be knowledgeable, flexible, fun, and enthusiastic.

Source: Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). For more information about finding a qualified music instructor, contact MTNA at (513) 421-1420, or visit its website.