Local (middle Tennessee) folks interested in piano or cello lessons for your kids, contact Millie Tracy at ameliamharrison11@gmail.com
Music history is littered with precocious child prodigies taking the world by storm with their dazzling musical talents. A famous example is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He wowed European heads of state while touring with his sister Maria Anna, who was five years his senior.
When Mozart was only 6 years old, he entertained the Empress of Austria and afterwards he climbed up into her lap where she gave him a kiss. Young Mozart went on to compose a range of works including a symphony, concerto, and opera all by the age of 10!
A more recent child prodigy is the singer Jackie Evancho (b. 2000), who first gained international notoriety in 2010 through the America’s Got Talent television show. Stories of young children “wowing” audiences with their musical talents brings up the question, what is the right age to start children in music lessons?
“Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.”
― Plato, The Republic
“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.”
To help us tackle this subject we have with us Millie Tracy & Bob Blaylock.
Bob sang bass in the choir when he was young, competed in various group ensembles, and also played euphonium & tuba in various band settings, including marching bands all the way thru college at UT (Pride of the Southland).
Millie–instrument of choice is cello (not exactly a marching band choice). Played in lots of settings in school, majored in music in college, and eventually held a job teaching music/choir/band in a school setting.
What is the benefit of listening to music in general for children?
Where did the lullaby originate? Natural accompaniment to that swaying motion moms do when they’re holding their babies. You’re just adding music to the “dance.”
–calming
–rhythms
–fun
–cultural
–letting off steam/energy
Also, there may just be something “wired” into us that gravitates towards music. What’s a movie (a great visual story) without a soundtrack? Major life events are accompanied by music (weddings/funerals). Playing of the bagpipes at the Queen’s funeral service, e.g. When you need a good cry or want to get pumped up for the game or a party—music helps.
There’s something in music that we connect to and are drawn to. That doesn’t mean we can all play an instrument. Some of us can’t carry a tune in a bucket and for us, blowing a trumpet or pulling a bow across a violin sounds like a wounded animal…
What is the benefit of learning to play an instrument as a child?
- Scientists say that children who are exposed to music, or those who play an instrument, do better in school than those who don’t.
- Music can be connected to many other subject areas. Through exploring music students can find natural connections to mathematics, science, reading, writing, and performing arts.
- Children learn in many different ways. Music allows them to express themselves in a unique way, which motivates their learning and helps build their self-confidence.
- Music is a universal language. It helps children connect to other cultures and understand the world around them.
- It’s fun! Playing a musical instrument relieves stress. Have you ever noticed that when you hear soft, soothing music you feel more relaxed? Playing an instrument can do that and more, especially if you’re the one playing. Music is one of life’s simple joys; it helps calm the mind.
Schools across the nation are cutting music classes for children. What are kids missing out on when that happens? The argument goes: music is ‘just noise’ and inessential to performing well in school. Claims that students waste too much time on practicing or the time spent on music trips takes away from where kids really need to be: the classroom.
OR music isn’t a lucrative/practical career choice
OR music programs mean students compete for certain positions, chairs, solo acts, which leads to low self-esteem and poor competitive values.
On the contrary, music is a team sport! An orchestra is a sum of all its parts that needs every single person to make that magic happen! There is honor in doing their personal best for the benefit of the whole. (Much like team sports.)
92 percent of students in U.S. public schools have access to music education in school, which leaves about 3 ½ million students without. A disproportionate number of those are concentrated in schools in major urban communities; have the highest percentage of students eligible for free/reduced price meals; and are either majority Black, Hispanic, or Native American.
Research shows that learning music results in educational, cognitive, social, emotional and physical benefits. Findings show that tapping into the brain’s potential for music learning supports overall learning, and is most critical for disadvantaged and under-served students—the places where we seem to be withdrawing or not providing that exposure.
What questions should I be asking myself about my child’s readiness? Is there a good age to start?
Kindermusik classes start at 0-12 months! They are a music and movement class.
Have THEY shown interest?
Can they focus 20-30 minutes at a time?
Know ABC’s and can count to 10
Access to instrument & teacher
Are YOU ready? (the younger they are, the more hands-on parents need to be; COST!)
What did being in choir/band/orchestra give you ? Lessons taught? Skills gained?
–opportunities? Being in band at a university level (and often a high school level) lets students learn to march together, play together, learn the discipline of practice together & the importance of not letting down the group because of your poor preparation.
–lifelong skills (still singing at church or for people’s funerals or playing Tuba Christmas/weddings/etc.) Can join groups as an adult to continue music engagement—choirs, praise, local orchestras, playing piano at coffee bar for fun or extra cash)
–cool fact about Tuba Christmas is the ages of the participants at any given concert
—marching band experiences (travel, parades, discipline, inaugurations, etc.). Bob’s experience in UT’s Pride of the Southland Band allowed him paid travel to away games with the football team, the chance to march in parades and at presidential inaugurations or special occasions he otherwise wouldn’t have attended. Marching in front of 90,000 people at an SEC college bowl game is quite a memorable experience! Band can also be an untapped opportunity to find college scholarships. Both Bob and Millie received scholarship money for undergrad.
What about group vs private lessons? Are there benefits to one over another?
What’s the goal
What kind of expense?
How much practice is actually involved in playing an instrument?
(Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother Amy Chua, 2011 (one daughter played Suzuki piano & the other violin)
How do I decide which instrument my child should try?
One website recommended that you consider the size of the child and instrument, the attention span of the child, the type of program you’re enrolling your child in, and the child’s level of interest in music.
Because children at such a young age are still growing, many full-size instruments are too big to be handled by children (think tubas/harps/french horns). Motor dexterity & finger strength?
The piano is usually one of the best instruments for small children as there is a large amount of repertoire that can be adapted to their size and abilities. In addition, many string instruments, such as violins, can be purchased or rented in smaller sizes.
It is also important to remember that children’s muscles and brains are still developing and, thus, extended practice is not always conducive to their bodies or attention spans.
Conclusion
Ultimately, every child is different and you know your child’s interests and abilities best. Expose them to a variety of music and instruments, see what catches their attention, and consider what it is you want them to get out of their pursuit of music. Even our child prodigy examples from above had very different beginnings in their musical careers. Mozart was born into a musical family; his father was a professional musician and had trained him since about the age of three. Jackie Evancho got her musical start from watching a DVD of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Take full advantage of the resources available to maximize the benefits and minimize any potential issues.
We literally live near “MUSIC CITY,” and on any given street corner you can find amazing musicians strumming guitar or singing a country ballad. Concerts of all sorts are here year-round (either at the Mother Church of the Ryman, the stage of the Opry, small cafes like Loveless or Puckett’s, Tuba Christmas or choir ensembles)… in our town, Uncle Dave Macon Days has been a traditional bluegrass celebration. Take advantage of these often free opportunities that showcase what musicians and music can do.
You don’t have to have lessons or formal music education to enjoy what music can give you—OR to be good at it. There are many excellent singers and “people who dabble” who can’t read music, but music can add so much enjoyment and pleasure to their lives and the lives of those around them!
Paul writes to the church at Ephesus to be filled with the Spirit of God. How? By… ”speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”