What instrument? What age?

[sleet76]

Help. My daughter says she is interested in learning to play an instrument. (she's 5.5 yo, very dextrous, physically advanced, long attentions span, but an average reader) She has been exposed to piano and violin, so those are the two options on her radar. In addition, we've watched Moominmama's kids play so fabulously online, and I've told her that they have years and years of hard practice behind them, and she would not start out playing anything like that. But, I imagine her expectations are very high.

Also complicating things, IMO, is that we are an unschooling family, and I have no musical background. I would be interested in learning piano along with her if we go that route, and I think she would enjoy doing that together as long as I was careful not to discourage her with my progress. How do I best support her in learning/practicing since playing music has not been a typical part of our unschooling household?

How do I know if I should direct her toward the piano or violin? What age is the "right" age to start? (Oh, I have a 3.5 yo who seems very interested in music and has a mind that I think would make a lot of sense of music theory and the "math" and patterning behind it--so it would be great for him to have some exposure, too) How do I find a good instructor, and what do I look for in terms of theory and method? I feel so lost! Help!

ETA: Both kids do take a weekly homeschool music class, it is taught by a retired music school teacher, and the classes are much like I remember doing in school. So they are getting some exposure. But not instrument lessons.

[theretohere]

Originally Posted by sleet76

Help. My daughter says she is interested in learning to play an instrument. (she's 5.5 yo, very dextrous, physically advanced, long attentions span, but an average reader) She has been exposed to piano and violin, so those are the two options on her radar. In addition, we've watched Moominmama's kids play so fabulously online, and I've told her that they have years and years of hard practice behind them, and she would not start out playing anything like that. But, I imagine her expectations are very high.

Also complicating things, IMO, is that we are an unschooling family, and I have no musical background. I would be interested in learning piano along with her if we go that route, and I think she would enjoy doing that together as long as I was careful not to discourage her with my progress. How do I best support her in learning/practicing since playing music has not been a typical part of our unschooling household?

How do I know if I should direct her toward the piano or violin? What age is the "right" age to start? (Oh, I have a 3.5 yo who seems very interested in music and has a mind that I think would make a lot of sense of music theory and the "math" and patterning behind it--so it would be great for him to have some exposure, too) How do I find a good instructor, and what do I look for in terms of theory and method? I feel so lost! Help!

ETA: Both kids do take a weekly homeschool music class, it is taught by a retired music school teacher, and the classes are much like I remember doing in school. So they are getting some exposure. But not instrument lessons.

I think music is something that you really need some regular structure and formal lessons in. Look for a music teacher in your area that takes kids her age, or for a Kindermusik class.

[elizawill]

my dh is a musician & he feels our children should learn to play piano first, as reading music will come more easily with all other instruments. she started piano at age 6. after piano, she can take whatever she wants....probably guitar though. hth

[kriket]

I agree that music should be taught by an instructor. They aren't hard to find, talk to the local high school band director and ask if his top students would like to tutor.

I play woodwinds (flute, clarinet, etc) I started on the alto sax when I was int he 5th grade (about 8?). Its difficult but can be done.

If you live in my area I would be thrilled to offer woodwind lessons. I would start her on a recorder. I can't play piano or violin well enough to teach it!

[lacysmommy]

I am a pianist and am planning on signing my kids up for Sazuki violin when they are 5. They will definitely have an instructor, and I will be using one my sister's kids' teacher recommends (her son is a fantastic violinist and has done Sazuki method since he was 5-- she's retiring in a few years so I want to start off with someone who will be teaching for a while). This way they learn to play by ear first, and learn to read music when they're older. I have started giving my 4 year old DD some basic piano instructions and we're learning out of "My First Piano Adventure" which is an awesome book for pre-readers. My 2 year old is paying attention and has actually learned a bit about proper hand position while I teach my older daughter. I'll probably start them with "proper" piano lessons around age 7 or 8 (which is the age when many teachers will start them at-- most teachers don't like teaching the very young because it is so much more difficult, especially if they can't read yet). I'm planning on letting them choose another instrument around age 10 if they would like. My kids are naturally musical and I want them to have as much exposure to music as possible while they are young.

If I weren't musical and teaching piano at home already, I'd do Sazuki violin first and piano second.

[hippiemommaof4]

my daughter is learning the recorder lol we're starting small here. I played it too and later the flute.

[sleet76]

Thanks so much for your input, everyone. She hasn't mentioned lessons in a few days, so I'm holding off a bit. But I'll look into Suzuki violin lessons for her current age if we start something.

[Mama Shifra]

Originally Posted by hippiemommaof4

my daughter is learning the recorder lol we're starting small here. I played it too and later the flute.

A plastic recorder from Yamaha (a very good brand, which means that it has a good tone) is about $8, but there are others for cheaper, if you need to go lower in price. There are many teach yourself books or go into any bookstore and there will be song books for various Disney movies or the Sound of Music. (I actually learned how to play when I thought about homeschooling my daughter and a recorder instruction book was included in the curriculum I bought from www.oakmeadow.com). Two other recorder books that are good for self-instruction are Yamaha Recorder Student by Sandy Felstein or It's Recorder Time by Alfred d'Auberge and Morton Manus. I have also used Let's Play Recorder Instruction Book by Leo Sevush.