All About Music For Beginners & Selecting Instruments

[Chanielle]

Contemplating between violin and piano... Really want my DS to learn violin but he seems a bit more interested in piano.

But he's still in a fickle-minded age; 4yo.

Someone please enlighten me... :?:

[sacredmusicals]

Hmm, let your son try out both for half a year and see which one he likes more?

[valvestate]

This thread also interests me... my 4yrs old daughter likes to SING A LOT anywhere. She even composes and knows the beat of the tempo for the song! Though, I would also love her to play the guitars and piano.

[peanut_butter]

Let your kid learn whatever they choose till they lost interest and hop onto the next instrument loh. You can’t tell until you attempt.


If your daughter likes singing, she can always sing along if her instrumental books have nice tunes.

[Chanielle]

But the thing is, I don't want him to give up after choosing his instrument. Like for me, I learned piano when I was young but gave up coz of hardwork. If my parents had pushed me, I might know a thing or two now...

Jay Chow also thanked his mother for pushing him on learning his piano.
So I guess I'll just have to give him what I feel that he wants now and hope that he will thank me for it in the future... :xedfingers:

[Dreamaurora]

Chanielle:

But the thing is, I don't want him to give up after choosing his instrument. Like for me, I learned piano when I was young but gave up coz of hardwork. If my parents had pushed me, I might know a thing or two now...

Jay Chow also thanked his mother for pushing him on learning his piano.
So I guess I'll just have to give him what I feel that he wants now and hope that he will thank me for it in the future... :xedfingers:

There are many causes why a student may stop learning an instrument, so putting the blame on yourself is kind of unfair. If your parents had pushed you, you might actually lose interest completely and detest the instrument instead.

The responsibility of motivating a young student is shared among parents and teachers. If say a child learns under a mediocre teacher who just works on 3 pieces per year and whose parents do not bring him out to see concerts, I think it is understandable that the child will lose interest very quickly. It is unrealistic to expect a child to pick up an instrument in lessons and expect him/her to persevere all the way based on his/her own will. For parents, remember your child sees and emulates you. If you yourself is not interested in music, most likely your child won't.

[sleepy]

There is no way to tell. It’s through trial & error. A child may think he or she likes that instrument & ask for it. Or parents may think that particular instrument is suitable. In any case, have to try it out, there is no other way.


My dd1 learned piano for 1 year when she was in preschool & guzheng for 1 year when in lower primary. She didn’t enjoy either instrument so we let her quit. Then she decided to try cello. So she moved on to her 3rd instrument.

She finally found the instrument she truely enjoys. After learning for 1 year in school, we decided to engage private teacher for her. And after 1 year of private lessons, she moved from grade zero to learning grade 5 exam pieces/grade 6 scales now.

When there’s keen interest, you will see progress. So it’s worth it to let child explore interests. I don’t see dropping a particular instrument as quitting. It means it’s not suitable for your child. Switch to another. As long as child is keen to continue learning.

[sleepy]

Chanielle:

But the thing is, I don't want him to give up after choosing his instrument. Like for me, I learned piano when I was young but gave up coz of hardwork. If my parents had pushed me, I might know a thing or two now...

Jay Chow also thanked his mother for pushing him on learning his piano.

I don't believe in 'pushing' too hard. Okay, I do nag my kids to practise. But I always tell them as parents, we're already doing our part in supporting their interests by sourcing for teachers, paying school fees, taking notes during lessons. If they're unwilling to do their part to put in effort to practise, then it's alright to stop, but do tell us earlier so that we don't throw good money away. Then dh & I started discussing about selling the piano to buy an omega watch for him. Suddenly dd2 is super energetic to continue practising

[phankao]

Chanielle:

Contemplating between violin and piano... Really want my DS to learn violin but he seems a bit more interested in piano.

But he's still in a fickle-minded age; 4yo.

Someone please enlighten me... :?:

How about both, like my son? haha.

[Chanielle]

sleepy:

There is no way to tell. It's through trial & error. A child may think he or she likes that instrument & ask for it. Or parents may think that particular instrument is suitable. In any case, have to try it out, there is no other way.


My dd1 learned piano for 1 year when she was in preschool & guzheng for 1 year when in lower primary. She didn't enjoy either instrument so we let her quit. Then she decided to try cello. So she moved on to her 3rd instrument.

She finally found the instrument she truely enjoys. After learning for 1 year in school, we decided to engage private teacher for her. And after 1 year of private lessons, she moved from grade zero to learning grade 5 exam pieces/grade 6 scales now.

When there's keen interest, you will see progress. So it's worth it to let child explore interests. I don't see dropping a particular instrument as quitting. It means it's not suitable for your child. Switch to another. As long as child is keen to continue learning.

Wow! I didn't know that kids do know what they want. After seeing this, I guess it will be good to let him try it out and see what interests him.

:thankyou: