Helping
Your Child Choose an Instrument
Spring is upon us
here at CYM, and with that comes our annual season of Twinkler Transition. This
is when your Twinkler begins their journey from Early Childhood Music into the
Level 1 Classical or American Legends programs. In fact, the term “Twinkler”
comes from the first piece your child will learn in the Suzuki method of study
(CYM’s “Classical” program)- “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”. It has become our term of endearment for new students
beginning their instrumental journey! Students in Twinkler Transition will
begin to observe lessons and group classes, parents will attend meetings, and
the ECM staff will help to answer the many questions that come up during this
transition process. One of the most familiar questions we hear is, “How do I
know what instrument my child should play?”
There
is no easy answer to that question, as every child is as unique as the
instrument they choose to study.
However, I would like to offer the following guidance in helping you and
your family make one of the most challenging and rewarding decisions you are
likely to face in these early years of music study: which instrument?
Meet
the Music
Children need firsthand experiences
to assist them as they pick an instrument. As you know, instrument exploration
is a significant part of all ECM classes. It is important to attend class
consistently so that your child has maximum exposure to the instruments they
may choose from. You can also attend the many concerts at CYM so that your
child not only hears the instrument being played, but has an opportunity to see
other children performing. After attending a concert, engage your child’s curiosity
by talking with them about what they heard. Ask them which instrument or piece
they liked the best. What did they think the cello sounded like? How did the
piano make them feel? Which instrument was the most exciting for them?
Outside
of CYM, you can engage your child further by exposing them to a variety of
instrumental music both at home and when traveling. Take note if they always
seem to be pointing out a certain instrument when they hear it!
Helpful
Hints
When
the Twinkler Transition process is in full swing, there are a few extra things
you can do together to ease the decision process. I always recommend playing
the Suzuki recordings of different instruments to expose your child to the
repertoire they may be experiencing next fall. At home, you can play a game
using a variety of instrumental music where your child must identify different
instruments by the way they sound. Do they have a favorite instrument to
identify? Ask them to compare and contrast the different instruments. Do your
best to emphasize the positive aspects of each instrument rather than drawing
on perceived negativities.
Don’t
forget to take your child’s personality into account. Are they relationally
focused? If so, instrument choices of friends or older siblings may play into
their desire to study a particular instrument. This is fine!
Lastly,
discuss with your ECM teacher about your child’s experiences throughout the
instrument demonstrations. Did your child seem to gravitate toward a certain
instrument? Your child may also have a strong connection with your ECM teacher
and want to play whichever instrument they teach. This is fine!
Observing
Lessons
During Twinkler Transition time, be
sure to observe lessons of the instrument(s) your child has expressed interest
in. This will give you and your child exposure to the learning/teaching
process, instruments, and various teachers. These observations can play a big
role in helping your child decide if they have not yet expressed a solid
opinion!
One
more thing….
As
a parent, do your best not to be discouraged or swayed by your own
unfamiliarity or previous experiences with a particular instrument. Your
child’s experiences are unique to themselves. Often what we perceive to be
particularly difficult as adults makes no impact on a child. Everything is new
to them, and everything is an opportunity to learn and grow!
Be sure to continue attending ECM classes each
week in the spring and summer months to keep your child on the path to
developing the necessary musical skills they will need to help make a smooth
transition when they begin lessons in the fall. I want to emphasize again the
importance of listening to Suzuki recordings of your child’s chosen or
preferred instrument in preparation for their upcoming studies. As a current
and continuing music student, listening to recordings of the highest caliber is
a focal point of creating an artistic atmosphere in which your child can
thrive. Exposing them early to great recordings may make a difference in which
instrument they choose to study.
Choosing
an instrument is an important decision, but not necessarily a lifelong commitment.
If, after beginning lessons, your child expresses interest in studying an
additional instrument or even switching instruments, you can always discuss
these options with your private teacher.
Lastly,
remember that there are myriad reasons for you or your child choosing a
particular instrument to play (Mr. Ryan picked cello so that he could sit down
when he played!). No reason is better than another, just as no instrument is
better than another. All instruments have an irreplaceable role in the
orchestra! And at the end of the day, whether your child becomes a concert
soloist or a lifelong concert-goer, remember that we all study music to create
beautiful hearts and beautiful people.
by Rochelle Agnew, CYM violinist and ECM instructor
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