Music lessons....Is your child learning to play a musical instrument ???

[nutcracker]

It was the asthma and wind instruments thread that got me thinking really.
I would love my kids to learn to play a musical instrument.
Was just wondering if any mini Mners are learning to play anything and how much the lessons are

Do you mind if i ask how much you pay for the lessons ???

My dd1 (aged 8) has been learning the flute for about a year. Her flute teacher is a friend and, conveniently, is now working at the school as a trainee teacher and so fits the lessons in at lunchtime.

The going rate (we're in London) seems to be about £24 per hour. dd has 20 minute lessons, ie. £8 a throw. Different instruments are suitable for different ages -- take advice.

Local authorities may run a Saturday music scheme -- phone up and ask. Here in London most local boroughs seem to do them, the deal is a 15-20 minute lesson (possibly in pairs/groups) and some group playing as well. Very motivating and quite cost-effective.

They usually hit a rough patch after the initial enthusiasm has worn off and before they've done enough to get the knack. It's worth persisting untiil they've got to the point where they can play a simple tune, even if they're reluctant. You may also be able to hire/borrow an instrument until you know they like it -- a good 2nd-hand flute is about £300. Violins I believe are cheaper.

It's dear, nutty.

DS2 has cello and piano lessons, £11 a half hour (each!)

But students often teach as a sideline, and their lessons are cheaper.

Our school has visiting teachers, when he had brass lessons it was at school, that was £4 for 20 mins. (He went from the cornet he couldn't play to the tenor horn, which fitted but it wasn't what he wanted so he gave up. He has major orthodontic problems so any wind instrument was going to be a problem.)

DS1 (10) is learning the oboe. Costs £55 per term (10 lessons I think), plus the cost of hire of instrument - another £30 per term. DS2 (8)is learning the clarinet; same cost although his lesson is 10 minutes longer as he is in a group of 6 pupils and DS1 is in a group of 2. DS3 (5) has just started piano - £12 for 1/2 hour.

Agree with the problem after initial enthusiasm has worn off and before acquiring knack of instrument. Jolly hard work for mums

Blimey it's not cheap then. At the mo we only pay for dd1 to have clasical ballet lessons, which is about 33 pounds a term.
Suppose it may be slightly cheaper hera (birmingham).
I think there is a noticeboard of music teachers up at the local library, so i'll have a look next time i'm in.
Thanks anyway

We pay £10 per half hour for violin and £7 per half hour for piano. The piano teacher is a student, and very good. Definitely worth looking out for students, nutty.

dd1 is learning to play the recorder through school - very painful for all the family! But free (I don't remember paying the school any money, anyway) apart from the cost of the recorder - £2 from Ikea, and the book - about £5. I did go to a local music shop looking for a recorder, and they quoted me £11 - which is just madness imo. As they progress through the school, they get the chance to learn different instruments - I think it's violin or flute next year (Y3). They also get the chance to learn the harp (Welsh school), which I would love one of them to do, although I'm sure it's not a cheap instrument.

Hi Nutcracker...something I know which might sound a bit obvious, so apologies now if it does, but I guess you have talked to them about it..only say this because..

a) I arranged ballet for dd and she did not like it but asked to do horse riding, she loves it,

b) my mother put all my family through piano lessons, however the elder 3 sisters clearly weren't interested and don't like playing that much now...younger sister and me asked for lessons and still love playing today...btw lessons were about £8 half an hour in todays rates...

Sorry to seem like going on and being interfering but just wanted to pass onto you my experience of this..hope you can find someone suitable...what sort of unstrument were you thinking of btw...

emsiewill - the harp sounds lovely.

Lavender - DD nagged me to do ballet for ages and she really enjoys it and seems to have a real talent for it (according to teacher).
Dd2 has asked to play the piano several times, so i think she does have an interest.
I wouldn't make them learn something though, and wouldn't mind if they started and then gave up either.

I charge £10 per half hour for piano lessons, which is slightly below the recommended ISM rate (the musician's union) of about £11.50 per half hour - although there is a band of prices, so different areas will vary.

It's generally recommended that small kids shouldn't play wind instruments, until they're about 8 or 9, but piano or strings would be fine. Recorder is great to start off with, or violin is also good, though less kind on your ears! I start piano at age 6 or upwards.

sorry nutcracker, didn't mean to sound like a pushy, arrogant knowall just interested (did though).

Not at all Lavender, i know what you meant. I do see some very pushy mothers at dd's ballet. I'm not like that, promise

Recorder's funny, it tends to be associated with small children and horrendous squeaks, but it sounds lovely played properly and you can progress with it just the same as with other wind instruments. And there are different sizes which make different noises. Might be worth considering, nutty - she could start earlier with that.

My son 10 does guitar - this is run by the secondary school as part of its external education policy. it costs £45.00 for 12 lessons ie: a term and they get given a guitar to take home.
WE also have a piano at home and he plays that, my mum is musical and plays mandolin and guitar and his dad is a professional muso, so we had more pressure than most...

Nutcracker, you are not far from Birmingham Conservatoire so there should be a good supply of musicians in your area - agree that students are often excellent teachers as it is not that long ago they were being made to practise by their parents themselves. You do just need to check that a student has received police clearance to work 1-1 with children - their home conservatoire should be organising this.
Emsiewill...dare I say it is probably easier to make a mellow sound on an £11 Schott than a £2 Ikea special... mind you, I sounded like a stuck pig when I used to "play" the recorder.
Musica, I might contact you off-board but have a suspicion you are not in my part of town. Ds is showing signs of being interested in the piano thanks to a wonderful music teacher at his school. I think he's much too young at 4.5 right now, though.

There is a Saturday morning music school held at the school where my two go plus there are a few other schools in the area that hold it - I think this is run by the local government. It is about £45 per term for as much or as little as you want to fit in on the Saturday morning - they can start off with the infants music group and recorder and progress to whatever they please, also includes drama. I am a bit vague as I have not managed to get dd in yet. It may be worth contacting your local council to see what is available via that route.

My dd plays the Cornet in the school band, they have free lesson's and a once a week paid lesson in their dinner time for £3.00. She started by playing the recorder in junior school for free, this year they are going to Belgium for a weekend exchange band contest and in 2005 they are off to Canada for another comp..

Of course, if you want lifelong employment for your child and music colleges tripping over themselves to offer scholarships, the bassoon or the tuba are the way to go......once your child is big enough not to be hospitalised if the instrument topples over on to them.

Can the School not help with this one Beety?

Sorry, thought you meant the ds who was already there. I am sure they'll be really helpful if he's as talented as he sounds...touting for more custom etc!