Violin teachers for 3/4 years old in NW London

[quaranta]

Anyone got any suggestions? Got a mad keen 3 yr old who is bored with pretend musical toys from ELC and in our flat we can't have a piano. So thinking about gently introducing him to something - was thinking violin but any suggestions welcome. Thanks

Don't forget the earplugs!

I did think that as I wrote it. I played the violin for about 6 weeks when I was 7 or 8 and had to beg to give it up because I thought I made such a gawdawful din. Be interested to see if anyone has any ideas..

Sign him up for Junior Guildhall? They do proper music classes for Reception age children and then progress them into proper string lessons, though I believe it is pushy music parent central, so you need to be up for that.

Whereabouts in NW london, anyway? There are music classes all over the place -- not sure I'd have the patience/money to do proper lessons for a 3yo. Even my 9yo still needs a high-ish level of supervision with his practice, so it would be a major parental commitment to do this for a 3yo. And if you don't make them practice, you might as well set fire to a 20 quid note every weeks.

That is good advice frogs. I am not really pushy parent centrale ( quite lazy and hate getting in car to go anywhere.) I don't really enjoy classes except for Tick Tock which DS1 did for 2 years (er with his granny) when we lived in Islington.. but I do agree about need for me to be into it to.We are un NW3 and there are lots of things I guess. Just wondering whether any MNers had any outstanding recommendations..Thanks though.

I can ask ds's cello teacher, if you like. But tbh, I think 3 is very early to start, unless you do Suzuki. Unless you are very dedicated, you will lose the will to live quite swiftly, as you will have to sit through the lessons, and then motivate him to do the practice as well.

If it's your only child, you and he are genuinely motivated and you're prepared to put in the time, then find a good Suzuki group. But tbh I don't think you've anything to lose by waiting a bit.

Or you could invest in a cheap proper keyboard?

I'd get a recorder for now

I second the recorder. Much easier to learn and to read music with.

Agree with Starlight too. Listen to lots of music and do lots of singing.

Hello ladies. We have recorders, oh yes. Of lots of different sizes. I was a very enthusiastic descant player myself at one point...I have been looking at Suzuki groups but I agree with Frogs there is quite a lot of effort involved and this is not my only DS. There is another little Quarantino and as I said I am quite lazy.... and so maybe I will just keep on doing what we are doing. For now. thanks so much for good advice!

Quaranta
I looked into Suzuki for DD1. There is a group which meets in Marylebone, called the Bayswater Suzuki group. It's on Saturday mornings. Maybe you've already found them. Plus as you may know, the children have a lesson a week on top of that. A very professional set up but DD didn't really take to it - we went to observe when she was just under three and she quickly pronounced the cello 'fat and grumpy.' We left it. I might look into it again at some point, as I felt it was a perfectly reasonable response from a not yet 3 year old and she might well change her mind. No one seems to want to come East to us as well. No one ever wants to come East!!!

What concerned me was the lack of choice involved as well for DD - it's a huge commitment to make on someone else's behalf unless she seemed to have some real immediate passion. Not exactly like signing her up to a few terms of Little Kickers.

Hi Harriet, yes I agree.I don't want to force him into anything, and it is quite full on the old Suzuki thing....
I think I posted on your other post about your erstwhile nanny - just to say again you have my fullest sympathy. Sounds horrid. Thanks for info on music Q x