What is the right age to start my child in music instruction?
The earlier, the better — but
with the right program. Children should wait until the proper age to
start private instruction of an instrument, ideally eight years old. If
a child is put into lessons too soon they may feel overwhelmed and
frustrated and want to stop lessons. The last thing you want to do is
turn a child off music because they started private instruction too
soon.
Group music programs, specially designed for young children are the
ideal way to start the music instruction for children. They should be
fun and child oriented but with structure and specific goals that are
taught while developing musicianship and music skills.
What benefit will my child have from
attending Music Masters classes? What do children do in every class?
Ours is a
child-centered, age appropriate program. Children will learn to
understand and love music, read notes and play piano/keyboard and
recorder. But the benefits are much, much more than this…
NOTE READING AND MUSIC THEORY.
Children learn music theory and reading notes in a very sequential,
fun way.
PIANO/KEYBOARD. Using very attractive, customized materials (books and
CDs) children learn to play piano/keyboard.
RHYTHM. In our program we develop the rhythmic sense in
children. We play games, walk, run, throw bean-bags etc. so children
feel the rhythm in their bodies. Everything in life has rhythm,
therefore when you improve their rhythm children will read better,
move better, even their speech will improve!
COORDINATION. To play a music instrument, children need great
coordination. In every class there are exercises and games designed
to improve coordination, gross motor and small hand coordination.
LISTENING SKILLS. Every class has listening skills exercises
that train children to listen and pay attention to what they hear.
SINGING SKILLS. Singing is a very important part of every
class. Learning to match pitch and sing correctly is taught in a fun
way, while making music together.
MUSIC APPRECIATION AND CREATIVE MOVEMENT. This is a favorite
part of the class. We listen to music, and we express it creatively
with our bodies. It can be Vivaldi’s “Spring,” or Grieg’s “Hall of
the mountain king.” Music comes alive when we “act it out” with our
creative movement.
SOCIAL SKILLS. Music is a great social activity. Children
learn to take turns, listen to others, follow instructions (even
non-verbal and musical instructions) There is no better community
building activity than making music in a group, creating music
together, where the end result depends on the effort of each
individual.
In our recitals and observation classes for parents children get
used to performing in front of people in a nonthreatening way. This
builds their confidence and self worth. Being able to confidently
perform in front of an audience is a skill that will prove very
useful in their lives.
Music is an art. In every class, in every
song, we pursue beauty. Children, even as young as two or three,
try to make beautiful sounds. Music touches their soul. In music, body
and soul are united, and even three year olds can feel the satisfaction
of creating beauty. In our classes children learn to love music, and with it, everything
that is beautiful in life.
Do I need a piano / keyboard at my house?
It is ideal if you have a
piano at home, but you can start lessons with an electric keyboard. We
recommend a keyboard that has regular size keys, about 5 octaves long,
and the simpler, less “special” buttons the best. (It should cost
between $80.00 - $100.00)
What other materials do I need?
Music Masters provides you
with a custom piano book and special accompaniment CD (starting at four years
old). You will also receive a CD with the songs and music we use in our
classes.
How does Music Masters teach music
theory?
We know that children have many different personalities and many
different ways of learning. We respect every child as a unique
individual and teach them accordingly. Our instructors teach and
present the same concept in many different experiential ways. Music Masters
doesn’t teach by memorization, but by experience. What children do, they
understand. They understand with their
brains, and feel in their body the concepts that are taught.
What can I do to make my child’s
experience in music classes more successful?
Parents’ attitudes highly
influence their children’s attitudes. If parents feel music class is
important, children feel the same way. Parents who make music an
integral part of their family life, that enjoy and listen to it, have
children that are very motivated to learn and make music.
It is very important that your child comes prepared to every class.
Children should bring their books and materials, and practice during the
week.
How much do children need to
practice during the week?
As with anything in life,
improving in music takes practice. A little time practicing every day is best. Here are some ways to make practicing
easier:
TIME – Set the same time every
day to practice. That way it becomes part of a routine or habit. It
is much more beneficial to practice a little bit every day than a
lot one day.
REPETITION – Instead of focusing on time, ask children to
practice the song three, four or five times. A four year old child
will need about five minutes, while time increases when children are
older. Even for older children, playing their homework songs three times should not take
very long.
