My son wants to learn to play an instrument, what should I keep in mind?

Music Day is celebrated today, a very important activity in the development of children and with multiple benefits: it helps them improve concentration and body expression, stimulates their imagination and creativity, and develops their intelligence.

From a certain age, especially if there is musical culture in the family, children can begin to show interest in Learn to play an instrument. In that case, which one is the most appropriate for them and what kind of teaching is best for them? I share my personal experience and I give you some tips that I hope will be useful if you find yourself in this situation.

My personal experience with music

On November 22, the feast of Santa Cecilia, patron saint of musicians, has always lived in my house in a very special way. My childhood has been marked by music and specifically this day I used to live it between concerts and recitals.

I started studying piano and music theory with eight years, although the love for music did not come to me by chance. My uncle is a professional pianist, my grandfather was passionate about music with a privileged voice, and my mother taught me to love classical music and its history since I had reason.

That is why, when I was eight years old, my parents proposed to enroll me in the official music conservatory I did not hesitate one second. The first years of musical study were really fun!

I remember the long summer afternoons playing the piano with four hands with my best friend, the nerves before a concert before hundreds of people, the small but special family recitals, or the euphoria unleashed when the effort and dedication paid off.

But I also remember that after those first years of "play and fun", the studies were complicated, and Sacrifices came and the lack of time to cover everything. The hours of play on leaving school were reduced because I had to study piano, and although I was delighted, there came a time when musical exams got complicated in a dizzying way.

And soon came helplessness, tears and defeat when I felt unable to continue combining music and that level of demand, with studies at the institute and the pressure of impending selectivity. And that was a sad end to my musical career.

Of the twenty children who began to study piano with eight years in the official conservatory, they were counted on the fingers of one hand those who continued their studies beyond the elementary grade and made music their way of life.

Tips to keep in mind if your child wants to learn to play an instrument

My experience at the conservatory was wonderful, full and full of nuances, experiences and learning that in a normal school I would not have had. But perhaps because of this, the effort that I personally assumed was much greater.

Today, my eight-year-old son looks at the piano we have at home and tells me that he wants to learn to play it, and I inevitably sink into a sea of ​​doubts:I enroll you in an official conservatory, as I studied, or I choose another type of musical teaching?

From my experience as a music student girl and now as a mother, these are my tips and thoughts if you are thinking of pointing your child to music classes so that he learns to play an instrument:

  • First ask him if he really likes to study music or is it just a temporary whim. The study of an instrument requires effort and dedication, so if the child is not very convinced or the decision has been made in a little thoughtful way, he could tire quickly and want to leave.

If this happens, each family will address the issue as they see fit. There will be parents who prefer not to force the child to continue their studies and allow them to drop out, or there may be others who require their children a greater commitment, especially when an important prior financial outlay has been made on an instrument.

  • And this is another point to consider: the musical instrument. To learn to play an instrument it is important to have it at home, although I advise that you do not buy the first day.

My recommendation is that the instrument that you want to study before taking the step and buying it is very well valued. Because there are instruments that can be relatively inexpensive, such as the guitar or flute, but others such as the piano or the violoncello require a significant financial outlay.

  • Once the decision to study an instrument is made, it is worth asking whether you really want your son to dedicate himself professionally to music, (that is, to study in an official conservatory) or simply learn music at a less demanding pace, in music schools or with private teachers.

One of the positive things about studying music in an official conservatory is that musical teaching is regulated. It has weekly class times and includes not only the teaching of the instrument but also other complementary subjects that will contribute to a more solid musical formation.

But you also have to know that children must attend class obligatorily and examine themselves to obtain official qualifications and an accrediting degree at the end of each stage (elementary, professional or higher degree). On the contrary, if we choose for example the option of a private teacher, the child can learn at his own pace and without pressure.

  • It is also worth knowing that, normally, The official conservatory cannot be accessed until the child turns eight. On the other hand, if we opt for another type of methodology for teaching an instrument, our child can start even after three years.
  • And finally, I also advise you to ask your children about the type of music they want to learn, Classic or modern?

If what you like is modern music, you have to keep in mind that conservatories teach mainly classical music, and although when the child knows how to read and interpret a score, he will know how to play all kinds of music, learning can be slow.

In any case, whether in an official conservatory, in a music school or with private teachers, once the decision has been made to learn to play an instrument, my advice is that Enjoy a lot, and that at no time this activity requires the child more than he can give.

Happy music day to all!

  • IStock photos

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Video: WHAT INSTRUMENT SHOULD YOUR CHILD PLAY? (March 2024).