Question for musicians or music teachers

[teacups]

I have two kids (homeschooled) who I'd like to get into some kind of instrument lessons. I dont think this will be long term (but who knows?) they havent asked for this class but also they are not against trying it. They just started piano and like it well enough, but we dont own a piano so the homework is a problem. Teacher says to pratice on a table top and well that just isnt very practical for us. Any advice on what instrument to try? We own guitars and violins (fairly cheap ones if that matters) because last year I knew I wanted them exposed to this area. I myself am extremely NOT musical. I took flute and clarinet in school and just never liked it and could never read music. So I'd like something where a high % of the work happened in class with a teacher and not as homework. Kids are 5th and 2nd grade. Any ideas?

 

[Carl]

Without practice it is not likely there would me much progress. What's wrong with the violin or guitar you have?

 

[teacups]

Without practice it is not likely there would me much progress. What's wrong with the violin or guitar you have?

Nothing. I just know they are "student quality" aka cheapo's. I suppose they'd work fine and are probably what kids use for elementarys school lessons anyway. I just never found an instructor so I went online and found "do it yourself lesons" and got frustrated. Do you think guitar and or violin would be good for kids who may not be dediated? I mean, I know plenty of kids try this out for a while in the 4th and 5th grades... and that is what I'm looking for. Exposure so they can know if they have an interest or not.

 

[suejai]

Are you able to get a keyboard, it doesn't have to be a piano. If you do, just make sure you get one with weighted keys so it acts as a piano would.

They will always have to practise at home so maybe just keep up with the guitar. It doesn't matter if they are inexpensive, you are just exposing them at this stage, an expensive guitar would be pointless. Besides some of DH's least expensive guitars are the ones that sound the best.

I would personally avoid saxaphone or clarinet because I couldn't take the sounds that come out of that instrument when someone is just new to it I played clarinet in school as well, and the noises my parents had to put up with, yikes

 

[Danauk]

If they are having piano lessons maybe you could get them a keyboard to practice on? DH and I both have music degrees (I play trumpet mainly, he plays string instruments and piano), the one thing I regret now was not keeping up with my piano practice, DH can play very well, I can't!!

 

[MushyMushy]

Personally I'd go with what the others have said and get a keyboard. You could find a cheap one for less than $100 for them to practice on and if they end up really liking it, inspire them to work harder with the promise of getting a better one.

I really wish I'd stayed with piano too.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Teacher says to pratice on a table top and well that just isnt very practical for us. Any advice on what instrument to try? We own guitars and violins (fairly cheap ones if that matters) because last year I knew I wanted them exposed to this area. I myself am extremely NOT musical. I took flute and clarinet in school and just never liked it and could never read music. So I'd like something where a high % of the work happened in class with a teacher and not as homework. Kids are 5th and 2nd grade. Any ideas?

Whenever learning an instrument, most of the learning takes place at home. The role of the teacher is to teach the child how to go home and practice. Without at-home practice, learning will be slow to non-existent. The home practice helps muscles get used to the new skills they are learning, strength is developed, repetition cements the new concepts-like reading music.

I think piano is always a great place to start, but you need a piano or keyboard with full-size keys for them to practice on. Don't assume that your kids won't have success-just make sure they practice a few times a week. As string teacher, I can tell you that a cheap violin (or any instrument) can cause a world of frustration for your child.

 

[teacups]

If I go to look for a keyboard... what am I looking for? Really folks, I am musically devanced. Thanks!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

My mom's family is extremely musical, and in the family, you start with piano then branch out depending on what you want from there. for me, I could NEVER figure out instruments with strings on the outside (pianos have strings on the inside, LOL), and even though I had a guitar I could NOT figure it out. My brother chose violin and was quite good; I went with flute instead. Along with piano.

And yes, you're going to have to have them practice; you don't get better if you don't practice. With instruments, it's finger-memory, and you can't get that only using the lessons.

We just bought DS a keyboard...we were at Toys R Us, we messed around with some keyboards, and there was this Yamaha that sounded SO much like a piano and was such a good price we had to get it. It's bottom of the line, YPT-210, but it was under $100 and we like it. Only 66 keys, so it's not going to take him into really astonishing music (then again, we had a proper piano at home and I never used the really high or really low keys anyway). Got the AC adapter (so we don't have to use batteries) and DS is loving it.

Anyway, just from my family, I recommend a keyboard/piano first, get the music-reading down, and then you can go *anywhere*. But since you don't read music, obviously, lessons from an outside person will be necessary (music stores generally have music lessons, and that's one place we got lessons, but ended up first with a piano teacher whose house we went to, then later a different teacher who came to our house...for flute my brother and I always took group lessons with private instruction after, then had orchestra as we got older). Practiced every day. If the kids choose different instruments, be prepared to referee...I *hated* the sound of the violin, and my brother hated my flute (note: we were both good, so it wasn't just our lack of talent), so we pretty much had to be outside the house while the other one practiced, LOL.

 

[Golf4food]

If you have voilins already maybe look around for a Suzuki strings program in your area - they start kids very young on that program - under 5.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

I would go for a Yamaha keyboard, they're pretty dependable. If you get one with fancy things (fun background beats and crazy sounds) you can make a stipulation- if the kids practice for 10 minutes during the day (real piano practice, piano sound ONLY, etc.) then they can mess around with all of the other stuff. I would suggest that (especially for the younger one) you learn along with them, and completely supervise their practice. Don't be overbearing, but help them stay on task. Set a timer for 10 minutes or so, and when they are done, don't push! Find a teacher that has yearly or twice yearly recitals, so your child has something to practice for.

Suzuki is a GREAT idea for violin, find a program in your area. The kids will have so much fun that they will be EXCITED to practice at home!

You may want to look into a children's choir in your area, some churches or theaters run great singing groups. Voice lessons may be another idea your kids would be in to.

Oh, I also wanted to add that piano is a very solitary instrument, but GREAT to know later in life. However, string, woodwind, brass, and even percussion instruments may give your kids the chance to play with other kids in a youth orchestra or band, or even a homeschool group if there is one in your area.

Good luck!

 

[jimmiej]

I would go for a Yamaha keyboard, they're pretty dependable. If you get one with fancy things (fun background beats and crazy sounds) you can make a stipulation- if the kids practice for 10 minutes during the day (real piano practice, piano sound ONLY, etc.) then they can mess around with all of the other stuff. I would suggest that (especially for the younger one) you learn along with them, and completely supervise their practice. Don't be overbearing, but help them stay on task. Set a timer for 10 minutes or so, and when they are done, don't push! Find a teacher that has yearly or twice yearly recitals, so your child has something to practice for.

Suzuki is a GREAT idea for violin, find a program in your area. The kids will have so much fun that they will be EXCITED to practice at home!

You may want to look into a children's choir in your area, some churches or theaters run great singing groups. Voice lessons may be another idea your kids would be in to.

Oh, I also wanted to add that piano is a very solitary instrument, but GREAT to know later in life. However, string, woodwind, brass, and even percussion instruments may give your kids the chance to play with other kids in a youth orchestra or band, or even a homeschool group if there is one in your area.

Good luck!

I'm an elementary music teacher (grades K-4). I use the Yamahas with great success. My students love playing them. I use them with 2nd graders.

IA with the voice lessons idea too. Are you involved with a church? Maybe a children's choir program?

 

[Tinijocaro]

I mean, I know plenty of kids try this out for a while in the 4th and 5th grades... and that is what I'm looking for. Exposure so they can know if they have an interest or not.

The problem with this is that just exposing them without a committment of practice will ensure that they have no interest. Success breeds success, so be sure they practice. I have my string students, in the beginning parctice at least 4 days per week for 20 minutes each time. The ones that do it progress, the ones that don't practice, don't progress.

 

[teacups]

They are in choir during winter so that is very good already.
I will check into both a keyboard and the lessons mentioned for violin.
As fate would have it I got an email today from my homeschool dist list about some lessons. Thanks for all the info and ideas!!

 

[Tinijocaro]

Just know that most Suzuki lessons require a great deal of committment on the part of the parent. You are involved in every practice session, you are helping your child to practice each day. Traditional lessons would require little to no help from the parent.

 

[Nicolepa]

We just bought DS a keyboard...we were at Toys R Us, we messed around with some keyboards, and there was this Yamaha that sounded SO much like a piano and was such a good price we had to get it. It's bottom of the line, YPT-210, but it was under $100 and we like it. Only 66 keys, so it's not going to take him into really astonishing music (then again, we had a proper piano at home and I never used the really high or really low keys anyway). Got the AC adapter (so we don't have to use batteries) and DS is loving it.

This is how my kids started as well. On a 66 key keyboard that a friend gave me. It lasted them about 1.5 years before their songs needed the additional keys. So for Christmas I bought them a really nice Yamaha keyboard. It was $1000 but, honestly it was the best present I've ever bought them. Almost 2 years later they play on it daily. (One child automatically, one with reminding.) If you keep your eye out you can probably find a used piano for that or less. One of my kids teacher (and the owner of the studio) said the particular keyboard I bought was what she uses at home and it was a great choice. I chose it over a piano because I had a baby on the way and they can use headphones while practicing and it can be turned off so the baby can't bang repeatedly on it.

 

[golfgal]

I also agree with the keyboard option. We have one, I think it cost in the $150 range and our kids use it on occasion but don't take lessons any longer. It sure is a LOT easier to move then a real piano.

As for the guitar and violin, if they like the instrument, let them play those to start otherwise you can check with music stores in your area and find out about their rental program. Typically they have a deal where you pay a small fee, $40 or so, for 3 months. You can try the instrument and by then you should know if it is a good fit or not. You can get a better quality instrument that way if you want. If the ones you have are the $100 Walmart specials, don't waste your time with them.

One thing to keep in mind is that different instruments fit different kids. I would suggest taking your kids to some band and orchestra concerts and see if they appear to be attracted to an instrument. If so, have them try that one. I started on the flute because all of my friends did. I HATED it. I went to an orchestra concert and fell in love with the violin. I played that all through college and after.

Take them to a music store and have then try different instruments. Ask at the store or contact the local school music teacher for lesson information. They will be able to point you to someone that gives lessons on whatever instrument they choose.