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When should you start learning an instrument?
Is there an age that is just too young?
In this Episode, I'll discuss learning an instrument and age. If you are a parent, or if you think you will be, the problem of when should my child start learning an instrument will eventually pop up. While there is no hard and fast answer because every child is different, I'll give you some tips on how to know when the right time may be for your child. I'll also give you some tips to help prepare your child for learning an instrument, even if you don't feel it's quite time for private lessons.
Steps for success in private lessons no matter the age:
Check your Expectations- Expectations are one of the things that make learning at a young age difficult. Then younger a child is the more likely the things that learn will be less advanced and more simple. They will also progress slower. Most parents and teachers feel that a child is too young because they aren't interested in the time it takes to see progress and development. Make sure your expectations are realistic for where your child should be after a few weeks of lessons are a year of lessons. Ask your child why they would like to learn their instrument and what they would like to learn. Work on finding a balance between your expectations for learning the instrument and your child's.Parent Involvement- Part of the age dilemma is that younger kids do take quite a bit more involvement from the parents and as they get older, they should be able to be more independent. Find ways to actually be involved in the learning process. You can do this by having the child teach you what they learn, teaching them something new you have learned, finding some songs to learn together, or setting up family concerts.Equipment- Equipment can severely hinder the age that a child can start learning. Especially with guitar, a small child will have difficulty playing a large acoustic guitar. If you have a young child that wants to learn please be prepared to purchase a smaller 3/4 size guitar for them to learn on. This will make learning easier and take one large hurdle out of the equation.Community- If you build a supportive community of other families with kids that want to learn, it will significantly improve the learning environment and a child of any age will learn faster.
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