5 Ways to get the most out of Music Lessons
#1 Start at the Correct Age
Age Guide to Starting Specific Instruments
These guidelines will help provide you and your child with a successful, rewarding experience learning a musical instrument. Adults can start any instrument at any time, success is based on how willing an adult is to commit to practicing.
3-4 Years Old
If a preschooler has a keen desire and wants to start music, a group preschool music class will give them a good foundation in music basics, which will be helpful in later private lessons. At this age, private lessons generally do not work as the child has not yet experienced the formal learning environment of kindergarten or school and learns more effectively through the game oriented preschool environment.
Piano/Keyboard
At our school 5 years old is the youngest age that we start children in private piano lessons. At this age they have begun to develop longer attention spans and can retain material with ease.
Guitar-Acoustic, Electric and Bass
5 years old is the earliest we recommend for guitar lessons. In the past it was recommended that 8 years old was the best age to start learning guitar because the strings were heavier and children with small hands would have trouble playing the instrument. But with more recent advancements in musical equipment many companies are now manufacturing half and three quarter size guitars with lighter strings. It also helps if children at this young age begin on an electric guitar because of the smaller body and the strings require less pressure to push down.
Voice Lessons
10 years old is recommended as the youngest age for private vocal lessons. Due to the physical nature of voice lessons (proper breathing techniques, development of the vocal chords and lung capacity), the younger body is generally not yet ready for the rigors of vocal techniques.
Drums
Drum students can start as young as five years old. At this age they have started to develop independent coordination and a longer attention span.
Flute, Clarinet & Saxophone
Due to lung capacity (and in the case of the saxophone the size of the instrument), we recommend that most woodwind beginners are 9 and older.
Violin
We accept violin students from the age of 5. Some teachers will start children as young as 3, but experience has shown us the most productive learning occurs when the beginner is 5 or older.
Trumpet
The trumpet requires physical exertion and lungpower. 9 years and older is a good time to start the trumpet.
These are averages. Each student is different and capable of starting at different times.
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1581 Route 9 in Clifton Park.
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