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For many kids, instrument lessons are a right of passage. Music lessons in elementary and high school often foster a lifelong hobby, but they also have immediate benefits. Studies show impacts on student learning and well-being (see links at the end of this article). Some children gravitate towards music naturally and ask for instrument and voice lessons. In other families, parents or grandparents give the nudge in this direction. With many school districts cutting the arts for budgetary reasons, music lessons fall on families to provide. So how do you know when your child is ready for lessons? And what should you do to get ready?
Child-led Interest
The obvious indicator that your child might be ready for lessons is interest. If your child tells you that they want to learn to sing better or to play an instrument, don’t discourage them. Instead, ask them a few questions:
What about the instrument or singing excites you?
If the request feels like it's out of the blue, ask them where the idea is coming from. Did they hear a song that they really liked? Is their best friend taking lessons? Does it seem like a neat thing to explore?
What things do you want to learn how to do?
Many voice and instrument teachers ask about student goals. Even young students may have a specific goal or two in mind when they ask for lessons. If your child doesn’t have specific goals, that’s fine too. Sometimes asking the question and letting your child sit with it for a while helps them figure out what they would like to learn.
What kind of music would you like to learn about?
Most voice and instrument teachers provide a variety of music for lessons so children can explore. However, if you know your child is really into musical theater, it might help to find a voice teacher who works with kids in that area. A child interested in playing jazz on their saxophone needs a jazz/band teacher and not a classical teacher, if possible.
Parent-led Interest
If you would like your child to take music lessons, but they haven’t gravitated towards something specific, make the suggestion, but be open to their ideas. If they don’t buy into the idea, please don’t force them. Music should be fun and not a chore - for both you and your child! Remember, you’ll be the one forcing your kid to sit and practice.
Have a conversation with them about their favorite music and why they like it. Perhaps they really like the guitar player in a band or they love a particular singer. Also ask them what they’re friends are doing. A buddy in the same music studio might spark their interest in giving lessons a try.
Age, Attention Span, and Abilities
Kids as young as 3 or 4 can start instrument lessons. Look for a teacher that specializes in working with younger children. Lesson format and strategies vary based on a child’s age. Depending on the instrument, younger children aren’t physically developed enough to do what older kids and adults can. That doesn’t mean they can’t start music lessons, but a teacher experienced with this age group knows how to make adjustments and accommodations.
Regardless of age, consider your child’s attention span. Some kids can focus for hours on something while others can’t sit still for five minutes. If your child is the latter, let your prospective teacher know. If your child has any learning challenges or is neurodiverse, take the time to discuss this with your child’s teacher. None of these things precludes your child from taking lessons, but if the teacher isn’t the right fit for your child’s learning needs, your child may end up with a bad experience that turns them off to music altogether. Many music teachers welcome neurodiverse students and students with special learning needs. Take the time to find one who does if your child needs this.
Instruments
If your child picks an instrument that you don’t own, don’t buy one (yet). Many music stores rent instruments for a reasonable fee - perfect for your child to give the instrument a try before you buy something! While you can’t rent a piano, you can purchase a relatively inexpensive keyboard. Music stores often sell used ones if you’re on a budget. Work with your piano teacher to find one that meets your child’s needs.
Let your child experiment - especially if music lessons aren’t initially their idea. If the trumpet isn’t a good fit, maybe the violin will be. If you’re renting an instrument, you have the freedom to return it and try something else. Whether a student finds something and sticks with it or jumps around between instruments before settling on something, they still gain the benefits of lessons.
In Person or Online
The pandemic led music teachers to teach online and many continued to do so after restrictions were lifted. Both modalities have advantages and disadvantages.
In Person Music Lessons
Many students focus better when the teacher is physically in the room with them. The teacher can see/hear everything clearly. Sometimes modeling a concept face-to-face is easier than trying to do it over a webcam.
The biggest advantage to in person lessons, though, has nothing to do with the lessons themselves. In person lessons often take place in a music studio - a separate space that allows the student freedom to try things. Some children feel shy about making noise in front of other members of their household.
Online Lessons
Today’s technology allows for the teacher and student to hear almost as well as if they were sitting in the same room. Some technologies even eliminate the delay between the two ends of the web meeting, so students and teachers can sing/play music together. Students sometimes need additional equipment like a microphone and headphones to get the full benefit. Ask your teacher what they require.
The biggest advantage online lessons offer comes in the form of choice. Depending on your location, you may only have one teacher - or no teachers - for your child’s instrument of choice and/or learning needs. Moving online quite literally opens a world of options for you to find the perfect teacher for your budding musician.
Expectations
Regardless of the instrument they choose and how they take lessons, most teachers have a few expectations.
Practice
Practice goes hand-in-hand with music lessons. Our brains need to map neural pathways and the only way they can do it is through repetition. That doesn’t mean children need to practice their instruments for hours at a time, though. Focused practice for 10 - 15 minutes several times a week produces results. As your student gets more proficient, increase the practice time up to 30 minutes. If your child wants to practice more, have them take a break after 20 - 30 minutes so their brain has a little time to “digest” what they learned.
Commitment
Lessons typically happen weekly over a span of time. Many teachers work on semester or academic year schedules. Be prepared to commit for at least a semester or a full year. If your child wants to experiment with a couple of instruments, look for a teacher who can teach several instruments or a music school that has several teachers on staff.
If your child is involved in sports, be prepared for conflicting schedules. Learn what your music teacher’s reschedule/cancellation policy is before you need to use it.
Price
Prices vary widely depending on location, teacher experience, and lesson length. If you are on a budget, you may have options, depending on your location. Some private teachers and music schools offer scholarships to low-income families. This may also cover the cost of the instrument rental. If you live near a college that teaches music, call the department and see if undergraduate or graduate students teach private lessons. Some larger school districts offer music lessons as part of their afterschool program at a deeply discounted rate. Some schools even lend instruments for little or no cost to the student. Check with your area high school to see what’s available and, if your student is still in elementary or middle school, if they can participate.
Performance
Not all teachers require participation in recitals. Part of the learning experience, though, is performing. If your prospective teacher doesn’t hold recitals, help your child find ways to perform a couple times a year. School talent shows, bands, orchestras, theater programs, as well as community and church music groups all provide great ways for kids to overcome their stage fright and to share their talents.
What happens if I can’t find a teacher or my child isn’t quite ready for private lessons?
Music at Home
Listen to a variety of music and talk about it. Be open to the music they like and share some of your favorites. If you play an instrument or sing, perform for/with your child in the comfort of your living room. You don’t have to be a virtuoso - making music with your child is a wonderful bonding experience.
YouTube
If you own the instrument your child is interested in, look up videos on YouTube. Many teachers post beginner-level lesson videos. Try some of them out. While it’s not the same as having a live teacher, these videos can still give your child some experience with their instrument of choice.
Groups & Classes
Look for group learning opportunities. If your child’s school has an extra-curricular band or chorus, encourage them to join. Many churches offer music programs that involve even the youngest singers. If you have a music school in your area, check for group classes and activities offered by the staff. For toddler and preschool age kids, look for Music Together and Kindermusik programs. Many local libraries also offer music activities for younger kids.
About Me
My name is Christina White and I own Air & Ink Studio, an online music & art studio for creatives of all ages. One of my earliest memories is sitting on my mom’s lap as she reached around me to play the piano. She and I sang together, and when we weren’t singing, we played records on our big stereo turntable and danced around the house. When I was four, I asked for piano lessons, but had to wait until the only piano teacher in my town would take me. I was her youngest student when I started. I stuck with piano lessons for 10 years and sang in several choirs. Even though I went on to major in science in college, I never strayed far from music. I sang professionally as a side hustle for several years after I graduated. Eventually, I got out of the tech rat race and returned to music full time twenty years ago. I am now a performer, voice teacher, music composer/producer, and music composition teacher. Check out my classes and private lessons here on IndyEd. My own daughter grew up in a house full of music and now sings, plays piano, regularly jams out on her ukulele, and is teaching herself to play the bass guitar.
Studies
Researchers Find Music Education Benefits Youth Well-being
How Music Primes the Brain for Learning
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