Being in the business of teaching music and having taken private lessons the majority of my years in the educational system, I am obviously one to promote and recommend music lessons to everyone I meet. The reason for doing that however, is not what you might think.
You see, in the world of a child there are many “obstacles” to overcome. Being confident is usually a big one. Not to mention the attitude struggles as well as learning to be responsible. There are lists of things we want to see our kids learn! Some parents are better than others at seeing those “obstacles” and helping their child overcome them. Either way when you can get a little extra help in that effort as a parent you welcome the assistance. I know this because I am the father of 4 children. I love to see my kids grow in those needed areas. I also love seeing someone else who is dedicated just as much as I am to teaching them in the same way.
A private music instructor part time or full time is worth their weight in gold IF they are dedicated to actually teaching their students. Any musician can show another person how to play an instrument or read notes on a page. It takes a teacher to bring out the best in their students not just showing them the proper technique but giving them the tools to grow in all aspects of life.
What tools? How about a successful attitude for starters? The simple but ever powerful “I can do this” approach. Seemingly more and more generations are lacking the belief that something can be done. This, in my professional opinion, is directly related to the lack of imagination in today’s youth. Confidence, creative thinking along with goal setting all fall into this category. Music lessons bring out the ability to envision the end result. Once applied the confidence levels rise, and the “I can” replaces the “I can’t”. I benefited the most from this as a child taking piano lessons. The teacher that brought those things out in me through music lessons was the key not my music lesson.
Let’s face it – reading the notes in a song doesn’t help me set goals and reach them. Jamming on the guitar never taught me to be genuine. Beating the drum set to death hasn’t ever given me the thinking skills that steer me to success.
Now, ask me where I did learn those things and I will answer setting goals from my piano teacher, being “me” from my last guitar instructor, thinking and being responsible for my own success my last percussion/band director.
And it wasn’t all just from those folks; but that’s where it started!
You see, it isn’t really about playing an instrument. It’s about playing an instrument and learning some of the most important aspects of life. Any real teacher knows this. And it will show in their student’s lives!
So I encourage parents, get your child in music lessons with a teacher and let them begin to experience the joys and benefits of music lessons. You won’t regret it!
