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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Can I teach music & recorder at home to an 8yo if...?

27 replies

stickygotstuck · 07/09/2017 11:50

... my knowledge of music is rather limited?

I know how to read music, although just about, and dabbled in guitar and recorder in my distant youth.

One issue is that I learned abroad so I am a Do Re Mi, rather than C D E kind of woman. I can learn but it's not natural so it'll be a bit tricky until I get used to it.

Apart from the cost, and the lack of local teachers, I am thinking it may be best for DD to learn recorder with me (already knows the basics), then go the local music service at the weekends to practice with an ensemble.

Does that sound feasible to you, o experienced musical people?

OP posts:
Original poster
stickygotstuck · 07/09/2017 14:48

Thanks Waffle!

We got started on the Pitts' book no. 1, also bought numbers 2 and 3 (we started keen Grin). We stopped halfway through number 1 and I was intending to continue from there. Will bear in mind your advice about it moving too fast though!

Is the recorder a good instrument to get started on? DD tentatively tried the violin in informal one-to-one lessons with a friend but got fed up. She has since then mentioned the clarinet and the flute, and the bagpipes! so she does seem that way inclined. But how easy would it be to move on to a different instrument later on?

OP posts:
Wafflenose · 07/09/2017 13:53

Yep, I'd do Recorder From the Beginning (by John Pitts) together. Get the one with the CD and listen to that too. It's all quite self-explanatory. Book 1 goes too fast at the end, so at that point I use Play Time 2 and/ or Vamoosh Recorder 1 to supplement.