York County, Pennsylvania, near Red Lion teaching 34 years, piano & woodwinds - clarinet, flute & saxophone All ages - B.A. Music, B.S. Education

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Beginning early - piano

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Lessons can begin as early as kindergarten, if a child has a very early interest in music and shows the possibility of a greater than average musical talent. A parent is expected to come to lessons with a very young child to learn how to help the child. It is not necessary for the parent to be able to play. The parent’s role is to encourage and assist the child, as parents do in everything else a very young child does. The parent’s attendance at lessons continues until the child is ready to work on his own. This allows for early musical development, if the child is having enjoyable musical experiences. A very young child should not be forced into lengthy practicing.

Consideration needs to be given to how a child can try piano lessons and still feel good about the experience if the progress and the child’s interest do not meet expectations. It is important the child does not think that lessons were a failure.

One way to try lessons and minimize this risk is to say to the child that he is enrolling in music lessons for a defined period of time such as two months. Children enroll in other classes such as a swim class this way. If at the end of two months the child is happily developing musical skills, the student can be told that he is doing so well that the parent will sign him up for the next classes. If it is not successful, tell the child classes are over and that lessons will begin again later at a specific date. It may work well to tie the new beginning to an occasion such as his birthday or the beginning of the school year. If the child is given a date to look forward to, the child is more likely to stay interested and use what he has learned.

It is not reasonable to say that a child should never begin lessons early, but an early start should always be done with every consideration for its effect on the child. The child’s maturity and already noticeable musical abilities must be considered. A child could be very talented and not ready for formal lessons. Parents can do many things to enrich the musical experiences of a very young child. A successful early start has the advantage of giving the child the opportunity to acquire aural and rhythmic skills at an age when they are easily learned. A successful early start also gives the child a strong self-image of himself as a musician.

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Rosalie Sommer, music teacher, teaches all ages. Music lessons include saxophone lessons, flute lessons, clarinet lessons and piano lessons. The Rosalie Sommer Studio of Music is located in York County, PA serving students in the communities of Airville, Brogue, Craley, Dallastown, Delta, East Prospect, Fawn Grove, Felton, Glen Rock, Hellam, Jacobus, Loganville, New Park, New Freedom, Red Lion, Shrewsbury, Stewartstown, Windsor, Wrightsville, Yoe, and York.

Copyright © 1999-2007 Rosalie Sommer Studio of Music
3920 Brownton Road, Felton, Pennsylvania 17322-7720
Phone: (717) 244-1039
E-mail: rosaliesommer@comcast.net
URL: http://home.comcast.net/~rosaliesommer/
Site created by Rosalie Sommer February 16, 1999
Updated September 20, 2007