A re-post from c. 2018
Music Lessons? 5 Tips to Get You Started
With the start of a new school year comes the chance for children to try a host of other new things. At the top of my list? Music, of course!
Whether you consider piano lessons a rite of passage or you’re hoping to have birthed the next Joshua Bell, or, best of all, you appreciate music for its lifelong interest and value, extra-curricular music activities are a great investment. So, let’s get started!
1. When should we start private lessons? Your child is older than age 6. (Please note: private voice is best started around 8th grade—more on this later.) Private piano, violin and ukulele lessons are often dependent upon reading or pre-reading skills (like tracking left to right and top to bottom and counting). A reading five can manage with the right teacher and teaching method, but the risk is high that a child who starts too young will be frustrated easily. For children 6 and under, the most essential experience for future musicality is making music with family.
2. Which instrument should we choose? While piano can serve as a foundation for all other instruments, I invite you to consider what instruments are played in your family. Like language, music is absorbed environmentally by children, so if Mom plays the violin, it may be best to start there. Starting from scratch? Consider a double ukulele lesson with Daddy learning along side Junior. Have a young star singer? A children’s choir is one of the best places for young singers to develop.
3. Which teacher should we choose? With hundreds of private music teachers in the Richmond area, it may seem daunting to narrow it down, but ask around! Fellow parents know what they like about certain teachers and what didn’t work with previous ones. Your child’s school music educator is likely familiar with the teaching styles of many local instructors, and, knowing your child, can recommend a few good matches.
4. Ask for a trial period. This is often overlooked as a great step toward making the right match, so don’t be afraid to ask to book a month of lessons before committing to a particular teacher. A great music teacher knows how important it is for teacher and student to be compatible.
5. Create Goals. Draft three achievable goals with your child and present them to your teacher at the start of your trial period. He or she will gain valuable insight into what your family wants out of lessons, and will be able to fill out the goals for you with their expert musical knowledge.
Make sure these goals are achievable! An achievable goal is not, for example: “We want to see if she has what it takes to Make It!” Put dreams of stardom on hold for a minute and concentrate on how learning music will benefit your child this year. A few things studying music can teach:
- Hard work improves outcomes.
- ‘Not getting it’ right away doesn’t mean you’ll never get it.
- You have the power to create something beautiful.
Achievable short term goals could include: playing ‘happy birthday” for so and so’s special day, playing a holiday song for grandma’s visit, auditioning for a school group. Long term goals can include preparing for college auditions (it takes years!), learning to read music competently, fostering a deeper appreciation for the musical arts, becoming a well-informed audience member. Keep your goals in an accessible place, and reevaluate often with your child and teacher.
Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the music!
Last Updated: August 16, 2025 by Leslie
REFLECTIONS
A re-post from c. 2018
Music Lessons? 5 Tips to Get You Started
With the start of a new school year comes the chance for children to try a host of other new things. At the top of my list? Music, of course!
Whether you consider piano lessons a rite of passage or you’re hoping to have birthed the next Joshua Bell, or, best of all, you appreciate music for its lifelong interest and value, extra-curricular music activities are a great investment. So, let’s get started!
1. When should we start private lessons? Your child is older than age 6. (Please note: private voice is best started around 8th grade—more on this later.) Private piano, violin and ukulele lessons are often dependent upon reading or pre-reading skills (like tracking left to right and top to bottom and counting). A reading five can manage with the right teacher and teaching method, but the risk is high that a child who starts too young will be frustrated easily. For children 6 and under, the most essential experience for future musicality is making music with family.
2. Which instrument should we choose? While piano can serve as a foundation for all other instruments, I invite you to consider what instruments are played in your family. Like language, music is absorbed environmentally by children, so if Mom plays the violin, it may be best to start there. Starting from scratch? Consider a double ukulele lesson with Daddy learning along side Junior. Have a young star singer? A children’s choir is one of the best places for young singers to develop.
3. Which teacher should we choose? With hundreds of private music teachers in the Richmond area, it may seem daunting to narrow it down, but ask around! Fellow parents know what they like about certain teachers and what didn’t work with previous ones. Your child’s school music educator is likely familiar with the teaching styles of many local instructors, and, knowing your child, can recommend a few good matches.
4. Ask for a trial period. This is often overlooked as a great step toward making the right match, so don’t be afraid to ask to book a month of lessons before committing to a particular teacher. A great music teacher knows how important it is for teacher and student to be compatible.
5. Create Goals. Draft three achievable goals with your child and present them to your teacher at the start of your trial period. He or she will gain valuable insight into what your family wants out of lessons, and will be able to fill out the goals for you with their expert musical knowledge.
Make sure these goals are achievable! An achievable goal is not, for example: “We want to see if she has what it takes to Make It!” Put dreams of stardom on hold for a minute and concentrate on how learning music will benefit your child this year. A few things studying music can teach:
Achievable short term goals could include: playing ‘happy birthday” for so and so’s special day, playing a holiday song for grandma’s visit, auditioning for a school group. Long term goals can include preparing for college auditions (it takes years!), learning to read music competently, fostering a deeper appreciation for the musical arts, becoming a well-informed audience member. Keep your goals in an accessible place, and reevaluate often with your child and teacher.
Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the music!
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