Kids and music

[Annie]

I'm curious as to how much we all have in common in this area. To many Americans, private music instruction is considered a necessary part of a child's education; to others, it's not as important. Where are you on this issue? I'd love to hear your ideas.

[Anon]

I did not vote because I am not sure. We have four boys and we still have to decide if we want them to take lessons or not..and if we want to pay the money. Four boys will eventually add up to quite a bit....$60/week if all four end up with lessons.

It would be nice, but we'll see. Anyway right now I don't know of anyone currently I'd like them to take lessons from.

We will probably wait until they are a little older...while I know the value of learning when you are young, I think I will wait until they are old enough to understand the value of money going into the lessons and take them seriously.

[pneu-engine]

Realizing that music is the universal language of the soul, it is my own humble opinion that we should (strongly and emphatically) encourage our kids to learn some instrument. I soooooo wish I would have taken piano lessons when I had the chance as a kid. In 1950 my mother left it up to me, and I turned it down. I regret it now. :sad

[Ashlee]

Well, I cannot vote since I have no children. But I personally have not had private lessons as such. I have been involved in band at school for 8 years now playing clarinet. I have also played in my church orchestra for almost 3 years now, although that is not always regular. I enjoy clarinet and using the talent learning at school gives me to play for God.

[lilyamongthorns]

I don't have any children yet, but I will be homeschooling our children so the only music education they will get is whatever I have them get. My husband plays piano and violin is one of my favorite instruments, so when my children are young they will all choose either piano or violin. Once they reach an older age, maybe like 10 or 12 or something, they can choose a second instrument to learn (flute, trumpet, etc), if they wish. Music is a big part of our family though. My husband took piano lessons from 4-18 and I can play the flute, oboe, piccolo, and clarinet. This could very well change once I actually have children though

[HappyChristian]

Our son took a year of piano, and then took trombone lessons and played in the school band while in school. He's not interested in playing anything right now, but who knows about later - he may get the desire again, and so I believe the lessons were worth it.

My own opinion echos PE's. I think music introduction is important - even if the child doesn't seem to be musical. My own recommendation would be to have the child begin with piano. The reason for that is: the piano is both clefs, therefore children will learn music from both clefs, playing at the same time. When I was younger, my first choice of instrument was piano. My mom felt it was too expensive, so I was left with my third choice: violin (flute was second, but the instructor wouldn't let me choose that one because of my teeth). I really didn't enjoy violin, even though I played it for several years. Now here I am nearly 50 struggling to learn piano well enough to play at the nursing home services. I took lessons in college, but didn't progress much beyond my recital pieces. I have taken lessons on and off over the last 10 years, but it can get kinda discouraging.

The problem is that my hands don't want to work as a team - because I didn't learn it at a younger age, and because the first music I learned was only on the treble clef. A child who first learns piano is equipped to learn any other instrument that is out there.

Another reason is that studies have been done that seem to indicate that learning piano helps with math abilities. I would think that it also would help with language ability as well. All three are structured in the same logical way.

Perhaps, Suzi, you could start with your oldest, and then go on to each younger one. What about the piano player at your church? Would that person be interested in giving lessons? Even if they were basic, it would be great for all of the kids - and maybe it wouldn't cost as much?

My piano teacher only charges $7 per lesson - max charge would be $35 a month! That is wonderful, imo (I used to pay $150 per month!! - even when I didn't have a lesson!).

Our son also has a guitar, and he began learning that when we were homeschooling. Then we put him in school and there just wasn't time. One of these days, I'm hoping he picks that back up. Right now he's busy with the INARNG and getting his black belt...

[Annie]

My own opinion echos PE's. I think music introduction is important - even if the child doesn't seem to be musical. My own recommendation would be to have the child begin with piano. The reason for that is: the piano is both clefs, therefore children will learn music from both clefs, playing at the same time.

I agree, LuAnne. Piano is also, IMO, the instrument which provides the best and clearest instruction and demonstration of music theory (chord structures, progressions, etc.). Guitar is also helpful in this way. My dh and I have started each of our kids on piano when they've reached school age. So far, they've each enjoyed it.

When I was younger, my first choice of instrument was piano. My mom felt it was too expensive, so I was left with my third choice: violin (flute was second, but the instructor wouldn't let me choose that one because of my teeth). I really didn't enjoy violin, even though I played it for several years. Now here I am nearly 50 struggling to learn piano well enough to play at the nursing home services. I took lessons in college, but didn't progress much beyond my recital pieces. I have taken lessons on and off over the last 10 years, but it can get kinda discouraging.

Yes, it's hard to pick up something like that when we're older, isn't it? Keep plugging away!

The problem is that my hands don't want to work as a team - because I didn't learn it at a younger age, and because the first music I learned was only on the treble clef. A child who first learns piano is equipped to learn any other instrument that is out there.

True.

Another reason is that studies have been done that seem to indicate that learning piano helps with math abilities. I would think that it also would help with language ability as well. All three are structured in the same logical way.

I've heard (and can "picture") that music and math are connected (patterns, etc.), but I've never heard about music's connection with language ability, other than the fact that music IS a language, that is.

My piano teacher only charges $7 per lesson - max charge would be $35 a month! That is wonderful, imo (I used to pay $150 per month!! - even when I didn't have a lesson!).

$150 a month?!?! That seems high! $35 a month is a steal; good for you! Our piano teacher charges about $50 a month per child. We pay a lot more for violin ($80 per child) and cello ($100 for our son). And our cello/violin teachers are actually giving us a break; the lessons are each at least 45 minutes long. And then there is Carolina Youth Symphony tuition for two of ours...Good thing they have grandparents who help out! And good thing we homeschool! We definitely could not afford both Christian school tuition and all of these music lessons...although I'm sure we'd still find a way to do one instrument per child even if we did send them to school.

[JerryNumbers]

If the child is interested in music, by all mean, if not, whey force it on them? But them a little encouragement would be a OK to see where it leads.

My mother would have gladly given me piano lessons, I was not interested of course I'm not musically inclined. Every child does not have God given music talent, but what ever talent the child has the parent ought to encourage them to use it for the glory of God.

Never though of this until recently, one thing I miss from my growing up days is hearing and seeing my mother setting at the piano playing those wonderful church hymns.

[HappyChristian]

I think if it's presented right, it won't seem to be forcing. It was just accepted in our house that, when he could, our son would take lessons. He also, later and of his own accord, took some voice lessons. He's not super musically inclined, but I wouldn't trade the lessons he had for anything. I believe they helped him in many ways in school - and now in his career goals.

Annie - I don't have any solid proof that piano helps with language, but as you said, it is a language in and of itself. That's one of the reasons I think it would help. A good number of people I know who are musically capable are also very good at languages.