Music lessons

[Cheesenpickleontoast]

Has anyone here had experience of helping their DC learn an instrument online? How did it go? What resources did you use? What would you recommend?

I've always wanted my DC to be able to play an instrument. They are both at Primary and have taken clarinet lessons for about 2 years. The lessons are run by the Council but I simply can't afford to pay for them anymore. The DC both have a clarinet (bought when times were good) and can read a little music and play some simple tunes. I don't play anything more tricky than the recorder, but I can read music. Is it possible I could help them learn with online tutorials?

I posted here as, while I don't homeschool, I loved teaching them during lockdown (although I didnt enjoy much else about lockdown!) and I would love to homeschool if circumstances allowed/ I were brave enough!

I don't know the answer to your question but just wanted to mention that it could be worth checking with your council about whether your children may be eligible for free or cheaper lessons due to your change in circumstances.

Where I live, children who qualify for free school meals can get free instrument lessons from the council. They do still have to pay for instrument hire.

My DS gets free lessons at a theatre/ music center. Might be worth checking if there's anything in your area. Ours do an income assessment and can give either a full or partial bursary depending what you earn.

Only downside is that it's set instruments, as the do a mix if small group and ensemble, so they might have to change instruments, depending what's on offer.

Thank you. I did look into free or subsidised lessons with the Council but the bar is set quite high (low?!) and we don't qualify. I'd need to be in receipt of free school meals or universal credit and be earning under £15k. I know I'm lucky in a way not to qualify and don't begrudge the children of families who do have free music lessons.

I might just try to find some free tutorials on line and give it a go!

Thank you! I'll give that a try.

Oh, another super cheap option is a brass band, though that doesn't include the instrument you had in mind. Brass bands can make a lot of money doing gigs, and have a tradition of offering very cheap tuition for beginners because they don't need to charge much to cover costs. My teen joined one and I was astonished at how cheap it was. As soon as they can play a scale, they can join the beginners' band, which IIRC was about £10 a month!

Some of my friends have had kids (or themselves; brass bands tend to mix adults and children together) in other local brass bands and are just as enthusiastic as I am about the strong community spirit and value for money.

That's a brilliant idea about the brass band, thank you. I might be able to beg, steal or borrow a cornet for a while. I think my DS might be open to the idea.

And I wonder if they'll let me in with my recorder? Match of the Day was my party piece. Occasionally played via my nostrils - yuck 🤣 🤮