Clueless Mummy Needs Advice on Music Lessons for 4.5 year old dd!

[ToneDeaf]

As you can see from my posting name I don't really have a clue about music. My 4.5 year old daughter loves ballet and singing and has asked if she can learn the violin!

Is this a ridiculous idea at her age? Would another instrument be better (although I have suggested the recorder and she was not keen)?

Unfortunately we do not live near a big city so I would imagine teachers are few and far between. I have no idea how to find one!

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My DDs learn violin with a Suzuki teacher and love it. Both started around 5. It's not everyone's cup of tea though and they learn by ear rather than reading music to begin with. However, comparing them to their cousin who learns 'traditionally' at school, they have a much better tone and pitch. Without wishing to boast, you understand

Have a look here for a teacher near you.

My DD did ballet for a while but at 4.5 she didn't really know if she wanted to do it and gave up. Have you checked out the company called 'Stage'. They have classes nationwide on Sat mornings and they do a range of activitities. Then at least tyou could see what she's really interested in and specialise later.

thank you ceolas and luciemule

Sorry, my post was not clear. She already attends a ballet class (and loves it!)

ceolas, thank you for your link. Unfortunately there are no teachers near me.

Ds1 started violin at the beginning of year 1 (he's just at the end of year 1 now), so he had just turned 5. He's not learning suzuki - I don't like the suzuki method, but that's just me!

He's doing really well - picking up the reading music well, and playing nicely - he can play tunes like Twinkle Twinkle now, which is quite complicated on the violin, as you have to co-ordinate fingers and bow. I've no regrets about him starting this young.

What I would say, as a pro-musician and teacher is that, certainly at this age, it is down to how much practice you as a parent can do with them. Ds1 practices most days for 15-20 mins, but I am there, doing it with him. I've had various pupils at this age, and the only ones who do really well are the ones where the parent engages in the practice. The other parents tend to say things like 'I can't motivate them'. But I look on it as being a special 'one-one' time with ds1. He's just asked if I'll teach him piano as well, so we're doing that slowly, as I do think he's a bit young for piano (small hands etc!).

Violin is a really good choice for littlies, as the instrument is an appropriate size, it teaches reading music, and listening for pitching etc, and you can always play in an orchestra in later ife.

DD started the violin last term aged just under 6. She's learning the "traditional" way through school and doing well. I played violin/viola from age 7 and found that it was hard work at first but once you grasped it you could progress quite quickly.

Thank you.

Tortoiseshell, that sounds lovely. It will be hard to find the time to practise (2 other children!) but I know dd would really love to have that special time. I am NOT musical though so am not sure how much I could help.

It is good to know that she may not be barking up the wrong tree so to speak!

ToneDeaf, you can help by just guiding her through which piece to practise next, helping her to hold the violin correctly (the teacher would show you), being encouraging etc. I'm sure you don't have to be musical! (I've got 3 kids too, and it is sometimes tricky finding the time, especially when dd who is 3 swans in with her recorder, blowing her 3 notes fit to burst!!!).

Tonedeaf, if you go along to lessons with her the teacher will show you what to do with her. Don't worry!

Check local music shops and Yellow Pages for teachers too.