1. Q: At what age should I start my child in music lessons? 

A: There are studies that show children as young as 3 years old having benefited by engaging in musical studies. The results of these studies indicate that music lessons at this young age are a proven method of boosting the child’s brainpower. Our many years of experience in providing music lessons to the community show that children differ in attention spans, desire to actually commit to learning an instrument, and temperament. When a parent comes to us with this question, we suggest trying one or two lessons on the instrument of their choice (provided that there isn’t any size constraints or other issues preventing the child from handling the instrument properly) . On completion of the first lesson, we then consult the instructor as to how the student conducted themselves during the lesson. The instructor will then inform us if student was attentive and able follow instruction, and if the student was able to comprehend the information provided by the teacher. We also encourage the parent to ask their child if they enjoyed the lesson experience. Only at the approval of both parent and teacher, do we proceed to the next lesson which is then evaluated in the same way. At this point, the parent usually has enough information to decide if they should continue the lessons or wait until the child is older.

2. Q: My child is taking a weekly group saxophone lesson at his school but feels that he is falling behind in class. What can be done to enhance his progress?

A: School lesson programs are a great way of introducing a child to a musical instrument, however, due to time constraints, the finer points of playing a musical instrument can be overlooked. Group lessons can move too slow or, in many cases, too fast resulting in the student falling behind and losing interest. The reason for this is, in a group setting, teachers are required to divide their attention among the entire class preventing them from offering their full attention to an individual requiring additional help. Musicians Corner offers assistance to many students from area schools who are seeking private, individualized instruction. We provide students with an instructor that will focus on their weaknesses and help discover and develop their strong points. The result usually leads to a dramatic improvement and renewed enthusiasm for their instrument.

3. Q: My child recently began music lessons and is experiencing difficultly with committing to a 20 – 30 minute per day practice routine as suggested by his teacher. How can I encourage my child to focus on his practice?

A: We recommend that instead of approaching the issue from a “practice time” standpoint, that you consider outlining the lesson assigned and urge the student to play each part of the lesson outline multiple times. For example, if the student is required to learn a particular song or exercise, they should commit to playing that piece a designated number of times per day (3 or 4 times is usually sufficient especially for a younger child). This method will allow the student to concentrate more on the assignment and focus on completing the task successfully as opposed to constantly watching the clock in anticipation for the practice period to end.

4. Q: I am considering learning a musical instrument. What would be the benefits of having a private instructor vs. learning from online lesson sites such as Youtube?

A: Youtube and other online sources offering music lessons have become very popular more so now than ever before. Many people have considered it a valid alternative to the time constraints and expense of a private instructor. Although there are some advantages to online lessons, there can also be many disadvantages. Anybody with a cell phone or video camera can create and upload a music lesson video, regardless of experience, and make it available for public viewing. Unless you are an experienced player, it is nearly impossible to distinguish if the information being taught is correct. Also lacking from the Youtube lesson methodology is structure or an organized lesson plan. Jumping randomly from one video to the next will not provide the student with the adequate knowledge required to improve on their instrument. Also, a video cannot offer the personal feedback that would be offered by a private instructor resulting in improper playing technique and bad habits that will be difficult to break out of in the future. It is important to seek out a qualified instructor, learn to read music notation, learn music theory and proper technique and use Youtube as a supplement to your private lessons. This method will provide the student with the knowledge and ability to filter the bad form the good when viewing lesson videos and to progress in their musical studies in a timely manner.

5. Q: What is the best way to choose my child’s first musical instrument?

A: Choosing the correct instrument for a child can be a difficult task but, at the same time, an important step in your child’s musical success. There are several factors to consider when choosing an instrument such as your child’s age, size, and musical taste. If the child is under 6 years old, there may be some physical limitations pertaining to his or her size. It is vital to match the child’s size with that of the instrument to insure manageability. Violin is always a good choice as this instrument is available in different sizes that can accommodate very young children up to adult size. The piano is another good choice as it does not require manual tuning and you can hear both melody and harmony (chords) which serves as a vehicle to aid in learning and understanding music theory. Older children may consider other instruments such as those from the brass and woodwind families (i.e. trumpet, flute, saxophone, etc.). Allow the child to hold the instrument and consider its comfort and ease of operation. The sound of the instrument may also be a consideration in how it appeals to the player. A visit to your local music store would allow the child to see and hear various instruments by requesting a demonstration before making a final decision.