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I love teaching kids...

I have this daydream that the kids we teach today will become great musicians in the future ... that our local music scene will explode over the next decade with the music of the children we teach.

Plus, an interview or two in Guitar World that mentions Little Rock Jams can't be too bad for business either!

If you're a parent considering music lessons for your child, consider the five points below to see if your child is ready for lessons.


1. Is your child interested in learning an instrument?

You've all heard about how music instruction leads to better grades, improved testing scores and college preparation. Check out "The Importance of Music Education" at the Art Journal for a detailed discussion.

With that said, I firmly believe that the child must want to learn an instrument or the result will be nothing more than arguments at home over practicing and wasted lesson fees. In most cases, there will be the initial week or two of excitement as they play with their new instrument and learn what sounds it can make. However, after that excitement wears off, if the child's interests are in something other than music (i.e. sports, writing, art, etc.), the child will likely not practice and/or find every excuse in the book to try and get out of practice.

So, while music does benefit your child in many ways, make sure the interest is there first, and then pursue lessons. Not the other way around, hoping that lessons will spark an interest in music.

2. How old should your child be before starting lessons?

We've taught children from 7 years old - 70 years old (yes, adults can act like children sometimes), and have had success at all ages.

We've also had to turn away some children due to age.

It comes down to this .... Is your child at a maturity level that they can sit relatively still for the 30 minute lesson and retain most of what is covered in the lesson?

One of the reasons we offer a free lesson at Little Rock Jams is to see if the lessons would benefit the student. During that lesson, if the child stays focused for 5-10 minute blocks, we're ok with the occasional discussion about the gross school lunch today or the long bus ride home, because we know that we can then get back to another 5-10 minute block with the child refocused.

We'll close the lesson with a review and write down on their practice log what we need them to practice during the upcoming week.

If your child is at a maturity level where they can stay focused for these 5-10 minute blocks and actively participate when working, then they will retain much of what is covered in the lesson during their practice sessions.

3. Is homework a battle every night?

I know it is in my home some nights. After dinner, when it's time to hit the books, the kids disappear. (They're underfoot the rest of the day, except for homework time, I just don't get it).

Well, practicing is much like homework. In the grand scheme of things, kids would rather surf the net, play video games, play outside, talk to their friends on the phone and probably, clean house, more than doing their homework or practicing.

If you are successful in setting a homework routine for your child, you will likely be successful in creating a practicing routine for your child. After all, the lessons will not make your child a better player, it is the work they do at home during practice that helps them grow.

Starting out, we recommend at minimum 20 minutes, 5 days a week. In reality, we would prefer every day of the week for as long as they want to play. The more you practice, the quicker you progress.

4. Is your child burning the candle at both ends already?

Kids today have it great and rough at the same time. There are so many cool activities they do, it is easy for them to get too involved and end up not having the energy to do anything well.

We've seen it at the studio, Art lessons on Tuesday, Church on Wednesday, Gymnastics on Thursday, Guitar on Friday, Horse riding on Saturday. The child has obligations to all of those and if there are only so many hours in a day, something (or all of them) will fall by the wayside.

So take a moment to evaluate if your child has too many projects/activities going on at once. If so, keep encouraging them in their musical interests, but wait until some more free time opens up before adding another burden on their full day.

5. The most important factor of all .... Are you ready to help your child succeed?

For success with learning a musical instrument, you - the parent, must be engaged and involved with their growth.

As the instructor, we see your child for only 30 minutes each week. Once they leave the studio, we rely on the parent to keep the child on target:

- Ensure they stick to their practice routine - (see # 3 above)

- Ask your child to play something for you on a regular basis. Even if the piece is not prepared, ask the child to play and offer encouragement. This gives the child the sense of performance and accomplishment that comes with learning a piece. Plus, if your child knows that you're always on the verge of asking them to play, they'll likely take their practice sessions more seriously.

- Stay in touch with your teacher. Yes, that 30 minute lesson is nice to allow you to run an errand or two, but stop in every so often to see how your child is doing. This way, the instructor can enlist your help in whatever issue they find during the lesson (i.e. lack of practice, need to practice longer, need to focus during practice, etc.).

In closing...

There is no doubt that a music education will benefit your child in more ways than simply learning how to play guitar. After considering these five points, if you feel your child fits the bill, call your local music studio and sign them up!


       





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