Navigating the Music Education Waters

People ask me all the time, "How old should my child be before I put them in music lessons?" That is a tricky question. The short answer is that it depends on how interested your child is and how active the teacher is that you have in mind.

I'd like to offer you a bit of a broad base of options in the Canadian music scene. Here is a compiled list of many of the music options for music for students of all ages.

Generally speaking, teachers are certified in the methods of study until your child is in one on one lessons. Then it can become looser, depending on your school of choice. More on that later...

BABIES
For these classes, you or your caregiver must attend with your baby. These classes offer songs, clapping games, movement and words. Classes are usually offered in sessions of three to four months. Classes are very fun, encourage bonding between your child and caregiver and are a great way to experience music.

Some examples are, www.rainbowsongs.com, www.kindermusik.com,

TODDLERS
In toddler classes, the children are encouraged to participate more by singing along and using their hands to play percussion instruments. Movement is always encouraged, as it is an integral part of experiencing music. Parent Participation is required.
www.northyork-suzuki.com

3-5
At this age, your child can really enjoy participation in musical games and activities. Most methods begin to teach by rote, which is the practice of hearing and repeating. This is a great way for children to develop memory muscle and build up their song library. Some music methods begin to offer group lesson classes in a particular instrument at this age.
http://www.yamaha.ca/content/musiceducation/courses/keyboard/index.jsp?from=courses

5+
At this age, the training really begins to branch out. Many schools begin to offer one on one lessons, or private training for your children in an instrument. Some schools offer group lessons in keyboard courses, or some schools begin to follow a set methodology. There are many choices as your child begins to study an instrument.

If your child is (like mine) extremely active, and wants to do things him or herself, then I think you could put your child in lessons from an early age (4 or 5 years old). Be sure though, to find a teacher who is good at teaching young children, and is able to entertain while educating your young child for a 30 minute period by using many different activities.


ADULT LESSONS
There are lots of schools that teach adult lessons. If you are interested in picking up an instrument that you learned as a youth, or trying something new, then congratulations!!! These lessons are fun, since you are really motivated to get playing. I recommend (if you are motivated this way) to browse through some musician's profiles and study from someone who's music really speaks to you. Of course, ask the teacher a bit about his or her teaching history, and it is not inappropriate to ask to speak to someone that the teacher has already taught.

SENIOR'S COURSES
There are a few schools that are teaching group lessons for 65+ students. This is a great way to learn a new skill and meet new people with similar interests. Check out www.yamaha.ca for info.

REMEMBER:
1. Try to have an open mind, and if you had a bad experience as a child yourself in music lessons (ie rulers on knuckles, or something like that), check back in, since most schools now have a code of conduct that would prevent that kind of bad behaviour.

2. To me, it is important to find a teacher that is active in performance. A lot of music schools don't worry about if their teachers are good musicians, but I have found that musicians that are always making music, expanding skills, experiencing different places and kinds of music make the best teachers.

3. It's always the right time to study music. It feels really great to pick up an instrument, or sing a song and be involved in making music.

Here are some of the schools that are teaching music in Canada, and in Toronto.

The Royal Conservatory of Music - instrument lessons, reading music, classical music curriculum. Has a lot of fun new options for adult and children group studies. www.rcmusic.ca

Yamaha Canada Music - www.yamaha.ca

Little Fingers Music- group lessons for young children in Toronto's West end. www.littlefingersmusic.com

Kaos Music Centre - www.kaosmusiccentre.com

Long & McQuade - http://www.long-mcquade.com/lessons/

Merriam Music - www.merriammusic.com


Have a question about lessons? Are you interested in reading about something else in the music business? Send me an email at hannah@musicvillage.ca