| TLP Music School of Merrimack Excellence in Music Education since 1989 |
| Serving Merrimack, Nashua, Amherst, Bedford and other Communities in Southern NH |
1. Start at the Right Age
Adults can start music lessons at any time. Their success is based on how willing each one of
them is to commit to practicing. We teach quite a few beginner students in their 40’s, 50’s and
60’s.
For children, starting at the right age is a key element to succeed in music. Starting too soon
can have a negative impact as the child may feel overwhelmed and frustrated. The last thing
you want to do is to turn your child off music just because he/she had one unpleasant
experience which could have been prevented. It is definitely better to wait a year to make sure
the child is mature enough to play a particular instrument, commit to regular practicing and
actively participate in one on one lessons. The following are guidelines we have found
successful in determining how young a child can start on particular instruments.
Piano/Keyboard
In our school 5 years old is the youngest age we start children in private lessons. At this age
they have begun to develop longer attention spans and can retain material with ease.
Guitar - Acoustic, Electric and Electric Bass
8 years old is the earliest we recommend for guitar lessons and 10 years for bass lessons.
Guitar and bass playing requires a fair amount of pressure on the fingertips from pressing on
the stings. Children under 8 generally have small hands and may find playing uncomfortable.
Voice Lessons
9 years is recommended as the youngest age for private voice lessons. Due to the physical
nature of voice lessons (proper breathing techniques, development of the vocal chords and
lung capacity), the younger body is generally not yet ready for the rigors of vocal technique. For
children under 9 we recommend our children choir (ages 6-9) where children learn how to use
their voices properly, in a fun, relaxed environment.
Flute, Clarinet and Saxophone
Due to lung capacity (and in case of saxophone the size of the instrument), we recommend that
most woodwind beginners are 9 and older.
Drums
The average age to start drum lessons should be 8 and older. This depends on the size of the
child as he/she needs to be able to reach pedals as well as cymbals.
Trumpet/Trombone
Brass instruments require physical exertion and lung power. 9 years is a good time to start the
trumpet, 10 years and older is recommended for trombone lessons.
Violin
Some places accept children as young as 3 years old. Our experience has shown us the most
productive learning occurs when the beginner is 5 or older.
2. Choose the Right Type of Lessons
Private lessons are far more superior to group lessons. In private lessons our teachers can
pay a lot of attention to each student, raise awareness of their individuality and built their self
confidence. They also make sure to meet students’ needs, interests and support their goals.
Use of the right materials appropriate to their level, understanding all materials fully and
learning in well structured manner is essential. Another big advantage of private lessons is
learning at your own pace without stress and pressure. Group Classes work well for preschool
music programs, theory lessons and brand new beginners to learn the basics.
3. Learn in a Professional Teaching Environment
Learning is not just a matter of having a qualified teacher, but also having an environment that
is focused on music education. In a professional school environment a student cannot be
distracted by T.V., pets, ringing phones, siblings or anything else. With only one lesson per
week, a professional school environment can produce better results since the only focus at that
time is learning music. Students in a school are also motivated by hearing peers who are at
different levels, and by being exposed to a variety of musical instruments. In our music school,
the lessons are not just a hobby or side - line for the teacher but responsibility which is taken
very seriously.
4. Understanding How to Practice Makes Practicing Easy
As with anything, improving in music takes practice. One of the main problems with music
lessons is the drudgery of practicing and the fight between parents and students to practice
every day. In most cases the problem is not knowing and understanding how to practice
correctly to succeed without frustration. Here are some helpful ways to make practicing easier:
Time - Set the same time every day to practice so it becomes part of your daily routine or habit.
Determine realistic goal you want to accomplish that day. Focus only on music and let go off
everything else. Don’t get destructed by T.V., phone, siblings etc. Divide your practice time
between warm ups, improving your technique and working on the songs. Always think positive
- you can do it!
Repetition - We use this method quite often when setting practice schedule for beginners. For
a young child 20 or 30 minutes seems like an eternity. Instead of setting a time frame, we use
repetitions. For example, practice the scale 5 times, the section of an etude 7 times etc. The
child doesn’t pay attention to the amount of time so much and gets the work done easier.
Rewards - It is important to praise children for job well done. There is no substitute for words
of recognition of their progress, a pat on the back and noticing the effort and/or improvement.
Parents can also encourage children to practice by granting them occasional reward for
successful practicing.
5. Use Appropriate Recognized Materials
It is very important your teacher is using materials that result in well structured lessons, and are
on the right difficulty level for each individual student. Use of the right materials assures
consistent progress and good feeling about being able to accomplish your goals. We use only
recognized materials that guarantee the highest standards in music education.
Adults can start music lessons at any time. Their success is based on how willing each one of
them is to commit to practicing. We teach quite a few beginner students in their 40’s, 50’s and
60’s.
For children, starting at the right age is a key element to succeed in music. Starting too soon
can have a negative impact as the child may feel overwhelmed and frustrated. The last thing
you want to do is to turn your child off music just because he/she had one unpleasant
experience which could have been prevented. It is definitely better to wait a year to make sure
the child is mature enough to play a particular instrument, commit to regular practicing and
actively participate in one on one lessons. The following are guidelines we have found
successful in determining how young a child can start on particular instruments.
Piano/Keyboard
In our school 5 years old is the youngest age we start children in private lessons. At this age
they have begun to develop longer attention spans and can retain material with ease.
Guitar - Acoustic, Electric and Electric Bass
8 years old is the earliest we recommend for guitar lessons and 10 years for bass lessons.
Guitar and bass playing requires a fair amount of pressure on the fingertips from pressing on
the stings. Children under 8 generally have small hands and may find playing uncomfortable.
Voice Lessons
9 years is recommended as the youngest age for private voice lessons. Due to the physical
nature of voice lessons (proper breathing techniques, development of the vocal chords and
lung capacity), the younger body is generally not yet ready for the rigors of vocal technique. For
children under 9 we recommend our children choir (ages 6-9) where children learn how to use
their voices properly, in a fun, relaxed environment.
Flute, Clarinet and Saxophone
Due to lung capacity (and in case of saxophone the size of the instrument), we recommend that
most woodwind beginners are 9 and older.
Drums
The average age to start drum lessons should be 8 and older. This depends on the size of the
child as he/she needs to be able to reach pedals as well as cymbals.
Trumpet/Trombone
Brass instruments require physical exertion and lung power. 9 years is a good time to start the
trumpet, 10 years and older is recommended for trombone lessons.
Violin
Some places accept children as young as 3 years old. Our experience has shown us the most
productive learning occurs when the beginner is 5 or older.
2. Choose the Right Type of Lessons
Private lessons are far more superior to group lessons. In private lessons our teachers can
pay a lot of attention to each student, raise awareness of their individuality and built their self
confidence. They also make sure to meet students’ needs, interests and support their goals.
Use of the right materials appropriate to their level, understanding all materials fully and
learning in well structured manner is essential. Another big advantage of private lessons is
learning at your own pace without stress and pressure. Group Classes work well for preschool
music programs, theory lessons and brand new beginners to learn the basics.
3. Learn in a Professional Teaching Environment
Learning is not just a matter of having a qualified teacher, but also having an environment that
is focused on music education. In a professional school environment a student cannot be
distracted by T.V., pets, ringing phones, siblings or anything else. With only one lesson per
week, a professional school environment can produce better results since the only focus at that
time is learning music. Students in a school are also motivated by hearing peers who are at
different levels, and by being exposed to a variety of musical instruments. In our music school,
the lessons are not just a hobby or side - line for the teacher but responsibility which is taken
very seriously.
4. Understanding How to Practice Makes Practicing Easy
As with anything, improving in music takes practice. One of the main problems with music
lessons is the drudgery of practicing and the fight between parents and students to practice
every day. In most cases the problem is not knowing and understanding how to practice
correctly to succeed without frustration. Here are some helpful ways to make practicing easier:
Time - Set the same time every day to practice so it becomes part of your daily routine or habit.
Determine realistic goal you want to accomplish that day. Focus only on music and let go off
everything else. Don’t get destructed by T.V., phone, siblings etc. Divide your practice time
between warm ups, improving your technique and working on the songs. Always think positive
- you can do it!
Repetition - We use this method quite often when setting practice schedule for beginners. For
a young child 20 or 30 minutes seems like an eternity. Instead of setting a time frame, we use
repetitions. For example, practice the scale 5 times, the section of an etude 7 times etc. The
child doesn’t pay attention to the amount of time so much and gets the work done easier.
Rewards - It is important to praise children for job well done. There is no substitute for words
of recognition of their progress, a pat on the back and noticing the effort and/or improvement.
Parents can also encourage children to practice by granting them occasional reward for
successful practicing.
5. Use Appropriate Recognized Materials
It is very important your teacher is using materials that result in well structured lessons, and are
on the right difficulty level for each individual student. Use of the right materials assures
consistent progress and good feeling about being able to accomplish your goals. We use only
recognized materials that guarantee the highest standards in music education.
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