What are the differences in the different instruments? And yes, voice is an instrument. What if my child starts on piano and doesn’t like it after a few months? How much will the initial cost to get them started be for an instrument? What if they are not practicing but I’m paying every month for lessons.
What instrument does my child want to try?
That’s really whats happening in the very beginning is that they are trying the guitar out and seeing if they like it. I think you should chose a school that if a student starts on guitar and doesn’t like it they can move to piano. I even have students start on guitar and after learning a bunch of songs we do a bass guitar lesson, a piano lesson and voice lesson.
Students start with one 30 min lessons a week and later some go for 1 hour a week for one instrument or 30 min each for 2 intstruments. 30 min on guitar, 30 min on piano or voice. Lots of options. Once they get pretty good on one instrument they have the confidence to play another.
What are the initial start up costs?
For a beginner, whatever instrument they chose it should be at about $300 or less. $300 will get a good beginner set up. What if I put out a few hundred dollars on a keyboard set up and then they really don’t like it. I’ve seen kids switch instruments and then go back to the first instrument. Don’t feel like it’s a loss. I’ve been a pro musician for many decades and many times a family member or a friend or someone from the school where your child goes will have an instrument laying around.
Ask around. Many times they might give it to you or for a great price. I rarely buy brand new music equiptment anymore. So many people buy stuff and don’t use it and sell it in perfect condition but at half the price. Or if it has a little ding on it, that’s fine, I’ll probably ding it myself. I can help you find equiptment at a bargain price if you don’t to buy brand new.
I’m paying for music lessons and child doesn’t practice
I believe the best way to encourage our kids to play their instrument is to ask them to play for us or show us what they’e working on. When they play we have to be encouraging. Compliment their efforts. There are times when even great players don’t play for a while and you wouldn’t pay for a ticket to hear them play, believe me. We all, even the kids have ups and downs, peaks and valley’s in our playing.
Their teacher should be checking and have quarterly goals set. Metairie Music Academy has 2 recitals a year at no cost to you. It’s a great motivator for the kids who participate to really shine a song. I encourage beginners even if it’s very short song to get up and perform,
Conclusion
Whether it’s guitar lessons, piano lessons or voice lessons, your child should be having fun and learning musical skills. And become bettter musicians and people after coming out of a lesson than when they went into the lesson.
Metairie Music Academy’s mission is to help your child learn and appreciate the beauty and art of music. Located in the heart of Metaire, La. serving our community. If you have any questions or would like to book lessons please call Sid at 504-421-8811 or use the Request Info button below. Thank you!