Question about music lessons?

[meandtheguys2]

DS10 wants to take banjo lessons this fall. Originally he had wanted piano, but we have been trying for months to find a teacher with a reasonable rep? Are there any issues re. learning the banjo before the recorder or piano?

DS7 learned to play the harmonica from my brother this summer and is really enjoying it. I think older brother is jealous.

DS5 is meant for percussion, I am certain!

This is not my area of expertise, and am open to suggestions!

Thanks,

Michelle

 

[Bumbles]

Has he seen Deliverance? Is he sure the bajo's for him?

 

[meandtheguys2]

LOL! Nooooo, just a close friend who is a good teacher! His best friend was playing his banjo at the farmer's market and had quite a gathering! This kid is a ham, big time!

 

[orvilleair]

DW is a music teacher, and she has regretted not taking piano lessons when she was little. It's harder to learn than trumpet, winds and strings.

Your DS10 in the 5th grade? Around here, the schools start elementary band in 5th or 6th grade, and they will have an open house full of instruments for your son to try out. However, banjo is not popular in elementary band. It's usually other strings like violin, cello and guitar. Maybe find out if your school has such an event in the fall and have him sign up for band.

If your son is set on the banjo, some music professors might have a list of instructors that give lessons. Also the music store around here gives lessons in addition to selling instruments.

Forget the recorder, some general music classes teach recorder.

 

[meandtheguys2]

We did the recorder and were bored out of our skulls. He know the basic piano notes,etc. We homeschool so band is not an option. We have a piano! That would be nice, but I have tried here and in the larger city about 20 mins. away, to find a piano teacher with some references! I think we will keep trying! Someone has to quit their lessons at some point.

Thanks,

Michelle

 

[Talking Hands]

Why is band not an option? I know my daughter had homeschooled kids who came in to her magnet school only for band, dance or orchestra. Also check and see if there are any youth bands in your area. My daughters were both in youth symphony for years. We also have youth band and chorus locally.
Oldest is 26 and plays violin, viola, guitar, piano, recorders (sop, alto and tenor) and harmonica. Viola is primary instrument and she is a professional violist and violinist.

 

[orvilleair]

How about calling the high school band director, and maybe he can give you some names of people whom teach piano. Or maybe the church organist.

I think around here, the home schools get together for extracurriculars for basketball, gym etc..., but I guess that band would be hard to organize. The town I live in doesn't really have a "civic" band either. Oh well.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Band isn't offered to homeschoolers here, but I do know the band director! That is a great idea!

DS7 is loving his harmonicas, BTW. My big brother is the only person I know who actually plays one! I know WV has a great youth symphony, because it plays locally. I am not sure about OH, though. It must.

Michelle

 

[orvilleair]

In the summer, there is an All State Band that plays at the State Fair. The town where DW teaches in used to have a jr high city band, but it was disbanded due to lack of interest.

DW has relatives in WV in Spencer. Nice area. Charleston is 3 hours away from here, and I remember my mom always pointing out the golden dome as we drove along I-64.

Anyway, good luck and stay dry. Mid June was a mess.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Thanks, you too! I am actually on the border of WV. Two sons born there, and one over here!

 

[sk!mom]

My DD8 has taken piano for 2 years. I called the local music teacher's association to find a teacher. The association gave me a list of teachers and I checked out several and then got on the waiting list for the one that my DD and I felt comfortable with. I did all this when she was in Kindergarten and we were lucky that a spot opened for her at the start of 1st grade. She plays so well already it amazes me. I have zero musical talent!

My DS19 took violin for 10 years. I found his teacher the same way that I found the piano teacher. When DS joined band in 7th grade he chose the tuba. We found his private teacher for that by calling the local university. One of the low brass professors takes a few private students and my son took from him for a while.

My kids LOVE music!

 

[meandtheguys2]

Boy! I never even heard of the music teacher's association1 Will look into it tomorrow. Leave it to the DIS to present options never thought of! Thanks!

 

[monkeyboy]

Originally posted by Bumbles
Has he seen Deliverance? Is he sure the bajo's for him?

 

[Cindy B]

Here the local elementary school has lessons start in the fourth grade. At the end of 3rd grade, the musica department gets the high school student to do a showcase for the students and they get to hear all sounds.

Through this interaction, my son chose the oboe.

The music teacher at school does music lessons privately. She's wonderful, and I do that.

 

[Talking Hands]

Are you anywhere near a university or college with a music school. Students often will teach at very resaonable prices and you can get recommendations from the professors. They also may have programs for young people where their students help teach so they can get their pedogogy requirements done.

 

[bobcat]

Only in Southern Ohio would a child want to play the banjo!

Try a local or state bluegrass association. Contact OU music department for refrences. They can probably get you in touch with the right people or even recommend a music student living in your area. Local music stores and music teachers, as others have mentioned, are an excellent resource as well. Good luck.

 

[jipsy]

 

[meandtheguys2]

Originally posted by bobcat
Only in Southern Ohio would a child want to play the banjo!

Try a local or state bluegrass association. Contact OU music department for refrences. They can probably get you in touch with the right people or even recommend a music student living in your area. Local music stores and music teachers, as others have mentioned, are an excellent resource as well. Good luck.

Hey! I resemble that remark! OU is an hour commute, but am going to check MC. We have the banjo instructor, but I have been trying for a year to get him into piano because I have always heard you should start with piano.

Thanks again for all the suggestions. Sometimes you just need help thinking outside the box.

Michelle

 

[trola2]

Abother thought....

Are you part of a homeschool organization? Our has gotten together an elementary homeschool band. Is that an option? If there were enough interest, and if no one had that expertise, you could HIRE a teacher to come weekly or twice weekly to teach all the kids and usually the rate is only slightly higher than the price of private lessons. Of course that rate is then divided by all the families participating.

Good luck
~~Beth

 

[disykat]

I think banjo sounds cool! I would also continue to pursue piano and just homeschool piano until you get on with a reputable teacher. I used the "John Bastian" series and found it pretty easy to teach my kids the Primer and Level One books. (I don't homeschool, but did teach my kids their first two years of piano.)