7 Things to Consider Before Signing Your Kids Up for Music Lessons

I’ve got another guest post this week, from Vincent at Music To Your Home (you can check out his info at the end) – I don’t have any kids and have no idea what to do with them, but some of you might have a child who is musically inclined. Kids and music tend to go hand-in-hand (I also have a Pinterest Board about teaching music). When Vincent brought me this topic, I thought it would be great to pass it along to you guys in case you’re curious! If you’ve got kids and you love music, let’s see how we can bring them together:
If your kid loves music the way most kids do, you’ve probably considered signing him or her up for music lessons. Recent studies have shown that kids who study music can benefit in multiple ways, so if your child has an interest in learning to sing or play an instrument, music lessons are a great idea! Here are some important things to consider before signing up!
Benefits of Music Lessons for Kids
Many parents don’t realize just how much music lessons can do for their child. Learning music can improve their skills in math, memorization, and listening. It also helps young brains to develop and learning an instrument improves motor skills and coordination.
Learning music can also build self-esteem and teach kids about time management and teamwork. Not only that, playing an instrument or singing is a great way to relieve stress and it gives kids a constructive way to express themselves. Kids who practice music and singing often do better in school because they learn about patience and self-discipline.
Adults who learn music as children are often more successful. They have a better work ethic and they understand that hard work pays off. They understand that they have to start at the beginning and work their way up. Also, they have better social and communication skills.
1). The Best Age to Start
The perfect age to start will vary from child to child. The key is to find a music program that is appropriate for your child’s age and interests. Does your child respond to music by singing, clapping, or dancing? Children two years old and even younger can be taught how to clap along with the beat of their favorite songs and identify rhythms. The younger your child is, the easier it will be for him or her to learn, so if they show an interest in learning, that’s when you should sign them up.
For more formal instruction in singing or learning an instrument, 5 is usually a good age to start. By that age, children are usually able to sit still longer and focus better. However, a child who doesn’t want to learn how to sing or play an instrument shouldn’t be forced. Forcing your child to learn is unlikely to lead to a love of music. If your child fights you every step of the way, waiting until he or she is a little older might help.
2). Choosing the Best Instrument for Your Child
Be sure to consider the age and physical limitations of your child. Don’t choose an instrument that is too heavy or too large for them to play properly. Violin and piano are great instruments to start out with, especially for children under six because they help to develop a foundation for other instruments. If your child has a strong desire to learn a certain instrument, talk to their music teacher to see if it’s a good choice for their age.
3). Consider the Noise Factor
There are ways to avoid annoying the neighbors and the rest of the family during music practice. You can set up a practice room with DIY soundproofing with thick rugs and heavy curtains, or start your child out on an instrument that can be played through headphones. Good communication can also solve a lot of problems, so talk to your neighbors and family to work out the best practice times before your child starts lessons.
4). Consider How Much Time You and Your Child Have Available
School-aged children are often involved in sports and clubs that take up a lot of their free time. Make sure your child can fit music lessons in without being too stressed or letting his schoolwork suffer. If he or she already has a full schedule, some tough decisions about what’s most important will have to be made.
While the majority of the time commitment will fall on your child’s shoulders, you will still need to make sure he practices and attends his lessons. You will also need to drive him back and forth to lessons and find something to do while he’s there. Thanks to modern technology, your child can take his lessons online from a qualified teacher, right in your living room, if you don’t have the time to drive him back and forth.
5). Consider the Location of the Teacher
Depending on where you live, you might have several options for where your child attends his lessons. The teacher may teach from their home or a studio, or they may come to you. Be sure to consider travel times carefully to make sure you can have your child at their lessons on time. Visit the location to see if it will be a good place for learning. If there’s a lot of activity and distractions, consider your child’s personality and whether or not he or she will be able to focus. Music To Your Home’s NYC music lessons can be taken in person at their studio or online from anywhere in the country, so they’re a great option for anyone wanting to learn.
6). Consider the Amount of Space in Your Home
Space is an important factor for some folks. A piano or drum set is going to take up a lot more room than a violin or flute. A digital piano that has weighted keys could be a good solution for children learning piano. The point is to figure out where the instrument is going to be played and stored before you bring it home.
7). Consider the Cost
Cost may be the most important factor for some folks. Purchasing an instrument can be a big expense, but you do have some options. Consider renting an instrument from a music studio or purchasing one used from Craigslist. Some schools might even have loaner instruments your child can use for a while. Books and sheet music can often be found online, too. The cost of the lessons themselves is another consideration. Online lessons are often cheaper than in-person lessons, so be sure to look into that option.
Giving your child the gift of music is something he or she will take with them for their entire life. With some careful planning and creativity, every child should be able to learn an instrument if they desire to do so.
Vincent Reina
Vincent Reina began teaching piano lessons as a high school student and has continued to do so ever since. He received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Purchase Conservatory. He then earned a Masters of Arts in Teaching Music from Manhattanville College. Today, Vincent is co-founder of Music To Your Home, a New York City-based music school. He’s the proud winner of many significant piano competitions, including the Westminster Choir College Artistic Excellence in Piano Award.
Tiffany Locke
I like your advice to find a music program appropriate for your child’s age and interests based on what they respond to is a good idea. Once you know what you want, such as vocal or piano lessons, it would probably help to start researching local instructors. After you’ve researched them and narrowed down the list, you might want to call or meet with the instructor in order to ask questions about their lessons and talk about your child so that you can make sure they’ll be able to teach them the skills that will benefit them.
MellaMusic
Tiffany LockeYes definitely! I think it’s a great idea to meet the teacher to make sure your child gels with them. Having a teacher they don’t like could turn them off of that instrument entirely which we definitely don’t want! Thanks so much for your thoughts!
Millie Hue
Thanks for pointing out that we should have a plan ready for the type of instrument that they want to learn because it can take up some space. This is true since my daughter wanted to learn piano which is bigger than other instruments. She just started being interested in it when her favorite artist played one at their concert that she watched.
MellaMusic
Millie HueHi Millie,
You could try a smaller keyboard if you want to start her out on it and see if she likes it! That way if she doesn’t stick with it, you haven’t taken up as much space as a giant regular piano 🙂 Best of luck to you and her!
Taylor Bishop
Thanks for this advice for signing up kids for music lessons. It’s good to know that you should try to pick an instrument that a child can easily play, like a violin or a piano. Not only that, but it could be a good way to introduce them to music at least so they understand basic principles if they want to learn more instruments.
Elaine
Great advice. I never thought about noise factor! I need to think about that when choosing the instrument for my kid, but all of them seem quite noisy.
MellaMusic
ElaineHaha my dad started drumming when he was a toddler – I think my grandma regretted it at the time but he does it professionally now! 🙂 I built a soundproof booth for my own vocal recordings, if you wanted to make a small one for your kid’s practice it might be worth it!
Esther
Thanks for sharing this. In the age section as you mentioned, can you suggest any good piano program? My child just turned 5 and I think as you mentioned this is the right age to start.
MellaMusic
EstherI think children of that age would do best with in-person lessons to help keep them focused – maybe see if your area has any piano teachers who work with young kids? If you can’t find one this might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTl-q2_1h2w
Kiran
Great article. I find that kids that learn music are often more well-behaved and introverted. Maybe it has something to do with focusing your attention on a piece of music for a extended period of time. And all that practice!
MellaMusic
KiranDefinitely! I also think they are more left-brained than other kids because it takes a lot of discipline and practice. Of course musicians are right-brained as well so they probably have a good balance!
Franca Whyte
You are so right. These are really important factors to consider. Thank you for sharing these with us.
Andrey
Learning music is definitely tricky and takes time and energy (and a ton of money, if you are a parent). A lot of people forget about the last point, which is indeed something to consider, especially if that’s something they are passionate about. Lovely article!
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MellaMusic
AndreyThanks so much Audrey! Music lessons can definitely get expensive – thankfully there are a lot of free lessons online, but that can be tough to make kids manage their time and keep to a schedule. Lots to consider!
Zoe Campos
My husband wanted to enroll our son in drum lessons, and it’s good to know that 5 is a good age to start. Our son had been bugging us to buy him a drumset and since we have seen him produce beats that are too advance for a four-year-old, I think it’s better to enroll him so he could learn properly. He will be turning five this summer, and I think that is the perfect time to start music classes.
MellaMusic
Zoe CamposHi Zoe,
My dad started playing the drums really young, so this sounds great! Best of luck to you and him!
jhone
I think the main point to learn music is focus and concentration. if you are 100% focused in any task then you can do that easily. Music is one of this. I read some tricks and tips which help me alot to learn music.
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Dipika
Really you are so right. Thanks for giving this advice for signing up kids for music lessons. It’s good to know that you should try to pick an instrument that a child can easily play, like a violin or a piano. It will help my kids to continue there practice. Thank You. Please keep up the work…
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Simons
These are really important factors to consider. Thank you
wilson
Great article about kids care. Thank you for sharing it.
Franklin White
Thanks for mentioning how much room a piano will take up in your home. I think a lot of people ignore this and just sign up for classes anyway. I would love for my kids to learn piano but I would need a place to store it once they stop playing it.
Franklin White recently posted…Why Hire a Professional Piano Mover to Relocate Your Piano?
MellaMusic
Franklin WhiteYes absolutely!! Drum sets take up a ton of space too so those are all things to think about!
Devid
Thanks for sharing this article really all the information was very helpful for me.I am now
waiting for your new one.
Rifat
This is really a great article and a great read for me. It’s my first visit to your blog and I have found it so useful and informative. Thank you
Kate Hansen
I loved how you mentioned that a great instrument to start out with violin. My husband and I are wanting to have our 6-year-old daughter start taking music lessons, and we wanted to know some things we should consider. I really appreciate you helping me learn more about signing your child up for music lessons.
MellaMusic
Kate HansenHi Kate, thank you so much!
I definitely think violin is a great choice – best of luck with whatever you/she decide!
Adam Golightly
My cousin has been thinking about having her sons go to music lessons so that it can look a lot nicer and can be put together better so that they can have something to do with their time. Getting them to take lessons from a professional could be really useful and the home will sound a little more lively. I’ll be sure to tell her about how they will be able to keep up with the beat and they shouldn’t be forced to learn but should rather be encouraged.
Jimi
Love this kids music guide. For me it’s hard to teach my kids regarding music, but this article is really helpful for me. Thank you for sharing this informative article.
Victoria Addington
It’s great to know the benefits of music lessons for kids. Since my son insisted on signing him up for drum lessons, it’s good that I have read your article first. I like what you said that this can help improve their skills in memorization and listening. With that, I shall then follow your advice to consider travel times to make sure that the area is not too far and a good site for learning.
Afton Jackson
You caught my attention when you talked about the different benefits people can have when they learn music early, specifically about work ethic and communication. In today’s day and age, these kinds of skills are crucial and I would want my son to develop them as early as possible so he’s prepared for the future. In that regard, I’ll start looking for a piano lesson class he can attend since he did show interest in the instrument a few months back.
jackson
Great article. I had seen many kids that learn music are often more well-behaved and introverted. Thanks for sharing
Anu Thakur
Many thanks for your valuable content. You are an inspiration with your hard work.
Keep up the awesome work and know that you’re appreciated!
Thanks,
Anu Thakur
Naa Sing
Thank you for this great article. Singing and music assume a significant part in our way of life. You’ll discover music present in numerous parts of our lives: theater, TV, films, love, occasions, festivities, and government and military functions. At home, music can turn out to be important for our family societies—a characteristic piece of our ordinary encounters
Mikel Naa Zee
I appreciate you more because of the road I’ve traveled. My story brought me to you and I wouldn’t revise a word of my past if it led me anywhere but to your door.
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Liza Kunde
Very nice concept!! I want to sign up my kid for violin classes. Hope these ideas will help me a lot. Thanks for sharing…
Rock Out Loud
#2, choosing the right instrument for your kid to learn is the key. If you, as a parent, can do it right, it will make music instrument learning easy and interesting for the kid as well.
kids learning
amazing article for kids