Sunday, July 31, 2011

Is My Child Ready for Music Lessons?

Music teachers handle music students of all ages, and while it is never too late to improve one's voice or learn how to play an instrument, exposure to musical training is most beneficial during the early years. Children as young as toddlers can be effectively taught the piano, provided that they already show interest and readiness for music lessons.

One advantage to getting an early start on music lessons is that it also serves to enhance other intellectual skills. There are numerous studies showing how exposure to music during the early years has many benefits, such as improved mathematical abilities and spatial reasoning, improved concentration, longer attention spans, and increased self-confidence. Music teachers also emphasise that music lessons develop a child's ear for rhythm, melody, and other musical concepts, leaving them with a sincere appreciation for music that lasts well into adulthood.

While toddlers as young as three years old may already be ready to take music lessons, Most music experts recommend that parents should carefully consider their own child's current developmental stage. Although Music teaching experts teach voice and other instruments, students who begin young are usually started at piano; compared to other musical instruments, the piano requires less strength and coordination.

To determine whether your child is ready to take music lessons, consider the following checklist:

1. Interest

Does your child indicate a desire to sit at the piano for a few minutes at a time, and does he seem intrigued by the various sounds he can make by pounding the keys? Interest is perhaps the most crucial criterion in determining your child's suitability to take music lessons. After all, forcing him into taking lessons is bound to be more harmful than beneficial: he may form a negative perception against music and develop a resistant attitude towards learning.

2. Ability to sit still and take directions

Piano lessons take at least 15 minutes at a time, and your child must be able to focus on what the teacher is saying during this period. Although a good piano teacher knows how to provide timely and fun breaks, your child must have enough maturity to work seriously during lesson proper.

3. Motor Development

Your child must be able to dextrously use both hands, and isolate finger movements quite well. This is self-explanatory really, given that the piano keys need to be pressed in order to produce sounds.

4. Intellectual Development

Your child should be able to tell his left hand from his right, and know how to identify the different fingers in each hand. And while he does not need to know how to write, he should at least be able to recognise the letters A to G when he sees it written.

And on a final note, the best music teachers reminds parents that enrolling your child in music lessons also calls for a certain commitment on your part. Ideally, a music student should practice at least 15 minutes a day, and while parents are discouraged from coercing their kids into complying, it is a good idea to actually sit down with them and offer positive reinforcement.

Live in London and want to learn Piano, Guitar or How to Sing? Do you want your children to have the best musical tutoring?
The Music Tutors London espouses a flexible and innovative approach to music instruction and voice training. They offer every student the opportunity to develop an appreciation of music through private lessons based on a music programme customised for each individual student.

http://www.themusictutorslondon.co.uk/


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