With a father like that, we’re guessing Evie will be picking up a guitar in no time.  But if you’re a parent with no musical background, it may feel overwhelming when your child shows interest in learning an instrument.

There are so many instruments to pick from, and so many reasons to select one or the other.  You’ll want to consider things like your child’s physical form, commitment level and portability of the instrument of choice.  Of course, keep in mind that many musicians start out on one instrument, and continue on to try out several different instruments as they progress.  So if your child comes home dreaming of piccolos and baritone saxophones, encourage him or her to start with something easier.  The most common choices are guitar and piano, but here are 6 more great instruments for beginners:

- Recorder – Simple, cheap and sturdy. Great for the youngest music students.

- Clarinet – Similar qualities as the recorder, and a great step up once the child “graduates” from the recorder. The clarinet is bigger and somewhat heavier, but fairly easy to get a sound on and operate. From the clarinet, many students switch to other instruments, such as bass clarinet, oboe or bassoon.

- Flute – Another common instrument in concert bands, the flute can be fairly easy to learn. Keep in mind, however, it can be pretty hard to get the first tone out of a flute, and your child may be discouraged if it takes days or weeks to get it right. Advanced, dedicated flute players may have the opportunity to move up to the piccolo someday, usually after four or five years.

- Alto Saxophone – When most people say “saxophone,” they’re referring to the alto sax. It’s the most common saxophone, and is of a size that can be handled by many different ages of people. From the alto sax, students often switch to other sizes of saxophone, such as the soprano (smaller), the tenor (somewhat larger), and the baritone (even bigger than that).

- Trumpet/Cornet - The trumpet is a common brass instrument, and the cornet is a smaller instrument that is very similar. Both are popular with beginners and experienced players alike.

- Violin – The violin is the smallest instrument in the violin family, a popular instrument among younger children who wish to be in an orchestra program.

Thoughts, questions, comments?  Leave a note on our Facebook page and chat with the community!

You might also like…

- Supporting Your Child In Music: A Parent’s Guide
- How to Tune Into the Perfect Music Teacher for You
- 5 Stages for Introducing Music to Children

Photo by LenDog64.

With many schools still cutting music and arts programs, the initiative gives hope to students and teachers alike.  If your child participates in his or her school music program, you probably know all about the benefits of taking music lessons.  But often, parents are left out in the dark in terms of how to provide support along the way.  It’s more than just attending the concerts and recitals, and you don’t even need to know anything about music to help.

So how can you support your child in music?  Check out these tips for parents from FamilyEducation.com:

Choosing the right instrument
- Ask your child what sounds he/she likes and what instruments appeal to him/her.
- Talk to the school band or strings teacher about your child’s interest before making a decision. Most beginning band and orchestra teachers let students hold and try out different instruments to help them make a choice.
- Allow your child to explore. Many musicians started out on one instrument only to switch a few years later to another instrument with much greater success.

Practice Tips for Elementary School Kids
- Help your child set up a special place at home to practice.
- Establish a time each day to play. Some children are at their best in the morning, before school. Others may do better right after school, or later in the evening.
- Consider using the phrase “playing time” rather than “practice time.”
- If possible, be a positive part of your child’s playing time. Sit with your child while he or she plays and ask, “Show me what you’re learning.” Or, consider learning to play the instrument with your child.
- Praise your child for each step forward.
- Never make negative remarks about how your child’s playing sounds. It takes time and effort to produce musical sounds.
- Provide positive role models. Bring your child to hear amateur or professional musicians perform, or take your child to movies that show musicians in a positive light.
- When seeking private lessons, find a qualified teacher you can talk to easily and make sure your child is comfortable with the teacher.

Practice Tips for Middle and High School Kids
- Help your child set up a regular time every day to practice, and help establish a routine.  This may require some consultation with your child’s teacher.
- Explain to your child that learning happens in stages. Sometimes a student will work on something for a long time with no apparent improvement, and then discover a sudden leap in ability. Other times, learning happens very quickly. The important thing to stress is that consistent practice will yield results.
- Help your young musician set practice goals. Keeping a journal, not just a practice chart, helps track the peaks and valleys of learning a new piece or improving fundamental skills.
- As a parent, don’t make judgments about the musical quality of your child’s practicing. Learning an instrument requires lots of squeaks, scratches, and wrong notes.

Parents, what do you think?  Teachers, what other advice can you offer?  Leave a comment on our Facebook page and join the discussion!  Like this post?  Don’t forget to share on your favorite social media site!

Photo by USAG-Humphreys.

Wherever you find yourself in the creative world – filmmaker, musician, artist, teacher – one important part of surviving is being a great learner.  After all, how else can you improve your craft without learning along the way?  It’s about learning from your last audition, learning from your peers, and learning about yourself.  Especially for teachers, who are often great learners by nature, it’s important to be able to pass that mindset on to your students.  And for us creative types, this is often the best part of the job.  We found a great article on the NAfME website detailing the 7 qualities of great learners, as written by researcher and author Kirsten Olson – read on to discover these qualities:

1. Great learners see learning as pleasurable. Develop your passion through intensive learning that involves focused concentration and a sense of challenge. Recognize that “failure is a huge part of the enterprise.”

2. Great learners have learned that effort is more important than inborn ability. Kids with disabilities sometimes can deal with these through their other abilities and through persistence. In Olson’s words, “Thinking of yourself as an entity always ripe for development is a mark of learners who go boldly forward.”

3. Great learners tend to have a strengths-based view of themselves and others. “This attitude,” says Olson, “is at the heart of learning resilience.” Figuring out what you excel at and practicing being satisfied with these traits can help you learn.

4. Great learners practice letting go of negative emotions, of flipping the script on what might be regarded as a failure. Let failure go—don’t brood on it. Pick up where you fell and move on.

5. Great learners are unusual problem-solvers who know how to ask for help. These people are both supported and supporters of others in their quests.

6. Great learners don’t let the institution define them. Although they take their educations seriously, they often question labels and define their own paths.

7. Great learners have passions. According to Olson, “research literature describes the importance of passion, curiosity, and deep interests” in dealing with challenges.

Do you see any of these qualities in yourself?  If so, you’re on the right track.  Stop by our Facebook page and let us know if you have any thoughts, questions, or comments!

Photo by nathanrussell.

Whether you yearn to be the next Katy, or just earn first chair in your orchestra, it will take hard work, dedication and a commitment to practicing to get there.  Yesterday we discussed some tips for avoiding injuries as a musician, including warm-up exercises, stretches and proper posture.  But if you’ve been playing for a while and adopted bad habits from the start, it may take the expertise of a professional music teacher to help you correct those habits.  While YouTube videos may be good for learning a couple of guitar chords, they don’t provide the one-on-one feedback that a private teacher will.

Music lessons are a very personal experience, and finding the best teacher for you is often half the battle.  Here, TakeLessons Student Counselors Kathleen V. and Danae G. explore the most important things to consider when finding a music teacher:

First, think about why you are learning to play your instrument.  Are you trying to get a scholarship for college?  Are you a stressed-out business executive unwinding after work?  Are you an aspiring artist or rockstar?  Do you just want to have fun and check this off of your bucket list?  Once you have that figured out, you’ll have a better idea of what you need in a teacher.  Of course, use your intuition to feel everything out. For a student to grow to their full potential and learn the most effectively, safety and comfort are very important.  For example…

- Has this teacher had a criminal background check done?
- Have you seen any letters of recommendation or feedback from previous students?
- Are the lessons taught out of a safe and comfortable home or studio location?

Next, you want to find out about quality. This is something that causes many people to be misled.  If you lower your standards too much, you will end up taking lessons for double the amount of time, causing you to pay far more in the long run and feel frustrated with the lack of progress.

Here are a few more questions that may help you to make a decision:

- Does the teacher have credentials to teach?
- Are there any videos of the teacher performing or teaching that you can watch to get an idea of their style in teaching or performing?
- What level does this teacher teach up to? (Beginning – Advanced)
- Does this teacher work best with adults or children?
- Is this teacher connected to a reputable affiliation?
- How many years of experience does he/she have playing? Teaching?
- Does the teacher have group lessons and individual lessons available?
- Is there any type of Money Back Guarantee if it isn’t a perfect fit?

Music is such a fun, creative way to express yourself, and with the perfect teacher at your side, you may be surprised at how quickly you excel!  Still have questions?  Leave us a comment on our Facebook page – we’re happy to help!

With a family like the Jacksons, it wasn’t hard for Michael to jump into the music industry at an early age.  But for most parents, it will take a bit more effort to involve your child in music.  And the question remains: What age should a child start music lessons?  It depends.  Check out this great resource for intoducing music to your child at all ages, courtesy of Childrensmusicworkshop.com:

6 to 8 Months
Classes for moms and babies are a great way to begin even with children as young as 6 – 8 months. These classes are usually 30 – 40 minutes long, and they require active participation on the part of parents. Programs designed for toddlers 18 – 24 months are very popular as well; these still require parental participation, but by this age, children are starting actively to engage in the different activities in the class.

3 and 4 Year Olds
Programs for 3- and 4-year-olds are now readily available. This is really the ideal age for kids to start their music experience. Most of these programs are about 30 – 35 minutes in length, and involve props, movement and singing. Some even integrate arts and crafts and free play with rhythm instruments and props to music. Parents typically are not required to participate in these classes.

Ages 5 and Up
For children ages 5 and up, teachers should ideally integrate activities such as music games and crafts into the curriculum.  Piano/keyboard lessons are sometimes easiest for children ages 5, 6, and even older. One year of instruction on the piano or keyboard provides a great foundation as children learn basic music theory concepts such as the music alphabet, what a quarter note, half note, and whole note is, what the music staff does, and the location of the keys on the keyboard. In addition, they learn fun kids songs like “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” If piano isn’t their thing, the violin can provide a great foundation for children to start their lesson path.

Ages 7 and Up
Around age 7, instruments such as the guitar, drums and other string instruments can be introduced. The same concepts are covered, but children who have had at least six months to one year of piano under their belt (and thus already know the basic elements of music) find it easier to make the transition between instruments. Consequently, they are able to engage with the new instrument a lot faster.

Elementary School Grades 3 and Up
Most elementary schools provide an opportunity for children in Grades 3 and up to begin taking group lessons in school on all instruments except the piano. This gives them the opportunity to participate in a band or orchestra at school with their friends, an experience that is often remembered vividly into adulthood. The only drawback that comes from these types of group lessons is that children needing extra help on their instrument are sometimes too timid to ask for it, or the instructor’s schedule does not allow for extra time spent with students, which can lead to discouragement. Outside private lessons on your child’s instrument are a wonderful way to reinforce what they are doing at school, and also help them to exceed what the other children in their group class are doing. This can pave the way for the child’s inclusion in solo festivals offered by the State or County.

Comments, questions, thoughts?  Let us know by leaving a comment on our Facebook page!

Image courtesy of http://www.sheknows.com

Start With Music You Like
When you like a piece of classical music, there’s a good chance your child will like it too. If you don’t know many, you might have to do some listening first to find music you’d like to share. To get started, there are loads of collections of great hits filled with pieces that you probably already know.

Mix It Up
When you play the classics mix them up with some pop, rock, blues, country, R&B, and jazz, or whatever kind of music you like. Kids don’t need their music put into categories for them. If they are exposed to different styles, their favorites will include a variety of music.

Identify Instruments
Many composers have used instruments in ways that will make it fun for children to learn and identify instrument sounds. Vivaldi used a viola to evoke a barking dog in “The Four Seasons,” and in “Peter and The Wolf” Prokofiev employed instruments to represent characters in a story: an oboe plays a duck, a clarinet a cat, a flute a bird, and the French horns are a dangerous wolf. Once you and your children can identify these instruments, find pictures of them, try to pick them out in other pieces, and talk about how they make sound and what feelings the sounds evoke. And plan to go to a concert hall to see and hear the instruments “in person.”

Do It Again (Repetition, Repetition, Repetition)
Many pop songs become popular simply because people hear them over and over. Same goes with the classics. The more you play them, the more familiar they become. Chances are your kids will not only like the repeated pieces more, but will begin to appreciate them in different ways as they continue to listen. When the great cellist Pablo Casals was in his nineties, he reported that for eighty years he had played the same piece by Bach every morning, and he said, “The music is never the same for me, never. Each day it is something new, fantastic and unbelievable.”

You can read the full article here.  These are great tips for both parents and teachers alike to ensure kids are getting exposure to a variety of music genres.  Save yourself from the latest pop song on repeat, and expand your child’s musical knowledge at the same time – sounds like a win-win to us!  Follow this link to our Facebook page and let us know your thoughts – what other tips do you have to expose children to different styles and genres?

Kristi’s journey began when she came into contact with a 9 year old battling cancer, and her heart was immediately inspired to do everything in her power to help that child’s family. Since then, Kristi has helped over 15 families and brought smiles to each of their faces through the gift of music. A musician and songwriter herself, Kristi wrote the song “Already an Angel,” which was inspired by the children she helps on a daily basis and brings about a message of hope through tumultuous times. The song can be purchased through the Music 4 Miracles website, and all proceeds are used toward helping more families and bringing music to children’s lives.

TakeLessons is happy to be able to help set up piano lessons for Bella, one of the Music 4 Miracles children, with our rock star teacher Karen J.  This coming July, we will also help set up another Music 4 Miracles child named Shiloh with in-home guitar lessons! Our thanks goes out to Kristi and the sponsors who make in-home music lessons possible for these children, while also offering hope and the gift of music education that can last a lifetime. To learn more about Music 4 Miracles and how you can become a sponsor, please visit www.music4miracles.org.

I was excited to find out more about the Loog because I took guitar lessons when I was 8 years old, and it proved to be easier said than done. The guitar was added to the list of instruments that were uncomfortable for my tiny hands (which I thought would grow eventually, but never did – to this day, I still struggle to reach the octave on the piano!).

I became discouraged and quit after about 6 months, and eventually took up the ukulele many years later – which has been much easier for me to maneuver but even now, the ¾ size guitar is problematic for me.

Many of our TakeLessons instructors prefer not to teach guitar to young children for this very reason.  Now, with the Loog Guitar in the picture, instead of teachers having to focus on finding alternate fingerings and keeping a frustrated student focused on the difficult task of mastering an adult-sized instrument, they can focus on teaching the child to make music!  And isn’t that really what it’s all about?

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to interview Rafael Atijas, the creator of the Loog Guitar, who provided insight into how his concept came about and what the benefits will be for children who want to learn the guitar.

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When did you realize that there was a need for a guitar made especially for kids?

I saw my 6 year old niece trying to make music with one of those $30 guitars when I thought “There has to be a better way.” It was then that I realized that kids’ guitars are usually just cheap, scaled-downed replicas of classical guitars.  They are not really designed with kids’ needs, comfort or even safety in mind.

Where does your knowledge of guitars come from?

I studied guitar and was in different bands during high school and college (as was almost every other kid I knew). I was very much into rock music and at some point I just fell in love with guitars – especially vintage electric guitars.

What age group do you feel would benefit the most from the Loog Guitar?

Time will tell, but I think kids ages 6 to 9 will be the ones that will get the most out of the Loog Guitar, since this is the guitar that allows them to build chords without the need to form complicated shapes with their little hands.

Where did you get the idea to call it the “Loog?”

It is my subtle but very meaningful homage to Andrew Loog Oldham, the first manager and producer of The Rolling Stones. I always found him to be a fascinating character (I’m a rock nerd, as you can see) and back when I had a band, I had a chance to meet him and he was super kind to us.

What types of learning materials are you planning on coming out with to assist with the learning process?

We plan to include a manual on how to play with three strings, and we will also offer video tutorials on our website.

What does this product mean for kids who have an interest in learning guitar?

Kids will have a friendlier instrument that will stimulate them to make music and get creative with it. What I like about the Loog Guitar is that it works whether you already know how to play guitar or not. And that’s what I hope it means to kids who have an interest in learning guitar: a fun and easy way to play music.

Anything else you wish to add?

I am truly humbled by the response the Loog Guitar project got on Kickstarter (the website that helped raise the money to launch the product), and one of the things I like the most is that so many people from the education field have reached out to me and had very positive things to say about the Loog Guitar. I know TakeLessons.com reaches a lot of music teachers, so I want to use this opportunity to extend my thanks to all of them.

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There you have it, folks.  I’m personally thrilled that there is now a product out there that will make learning guitar simpler for young children.  For teachers, what have you experienced in teaching guitar to young children? Parents and students, what are some of the challenges that you’ve faced learning guitar yourself or watching your child learn guitar?  I’d love to hear your feedback, so please leave comments below if you feel so inclined!  Now if only I could travel back in time and learn to play guitar on the Loog, maybe I would have stuck with it! To learn more, visit www.loogguitar.com or check out the Loog Guitar in action below:

The Loog Guitar in Action from Loog Guitars on Vimeo.

Monet Payne is the Community Manager for TakeLessons.com. She is dedicated to providing the latest on music education and technology to those who seek it. By night, Monet is a professional singing actress, starring in musicals, operas, and everything in between. Monet has her Bachelors in Music, with a concentration in Vocal Performance, and enjoys teaching voice, involving herself as Vocal Director in several productions. She proudly co-founded a non-profit organization for Voice Education and her next venture will be to start her own theater production company.

Ahead of this year’s Wanna Play Music week, NAMM has introduced a new initiative called “Pledge to Play” where interested participants can take a pledge and make their commitment to learning an instrument. There’s still time to sign up on the Pledge to Play Facebook page – you’ll even have the chance to win some cool prizes!

The week will officially kick off on Monday, May 2 with the seventh annual “Music Monday,” an event in which schools, community and professional organizations will perform one piece of music simultaneously at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, 11 a.m. Mountain Time, 12 p.m. Central Time, and 1 p.m. Eastern Time.  NAMM hopes that by having everyone sing the same song at the same time, music will transcend all genres and unite people through the melody and the act of performing the piece together.  You can register your school or organization as a participant in Music Monday online or by emailing musicmonday@namm.org. If you aren’t able to play at the designated time, NAMM also encourages participants to pick up an instrument and play at any time throughout the day.

Other events will take place throughout the week, including an announcement of the “Best Communities for Music Education” on Wednesday, May 4 and a day featuring “unexpected celebrity musicians” on Thursday, May 5.  The week concludes with National Music Store Weekend from May 6-8, when musicians and non-musicians alike are encouraged to visit and support local music stores in their neighborhoods. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved during this year’s Wanna Play Music week, so mark your calendar and get ready to play!

It’s your LUCKY day!

We’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day by offering a super deal for new students!  Now through Friday, March 18th, sign up for monthly or quarterly music lessons with us and take advantage of this special offer:

BUY 3 LESSONS, GET 1 FREE!

This offer is good for private in-home or in-studio lessons with any of our TakeLessons Certified Teachers, as well as lessons at one of our Best Buy Lesson Centers. If you’re ready to learn how to play the piano or jam on the guitar, this is your chance!

Simply call us at 877-231-8505 and mention the offer code “LUCKY” to receive the offer.

Remember, this deal is only good for two days, so don’t delay!

*Offer valid for purchases made from Thursday, March 17th – Friday, March 18th ONLY. New Students Only. Lessons can take place at a later date. Mention offer code LUCKY to redeem. Buy 3 Get 1 Free applies to monthly or quarterly lesson plans. Monthly plans must purchase at least 3 lessons to get 1 free lesson. Subsequent billing cycles will be charged at full price. Free lesson given at time of purchase; any changes made to lessons after purchase may not be applied in full. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. Offer has no cash value. Must call to receive deal; discount not available online at this time. Teacher availability is not guaranteed.