Whether your child is simply interested in music and wants to know more or if they are exploring the possibility of a career in music, the education they get inside a school setting can be limiting. There is only so much students can learn in a group, and teachers simply don’t have the time to give everyone individual attention. To combat this, many parents choose to supplement their children’s musical education outside of school.
Supplement Your Child’s Musical Education With Private Instruction
There are a number of ways in which you can encourage your child’s pursuit of music outside of an academic setting and a number of compelling reasons to do so:
1. Deeper Instruction
School music teachers are trained to teach groups. They tend to be versatile in their musical skills and interests so as to be able to appeal and relate to a wide group of students. But the one-on-one instruction your child will get from private lessons can make a huge difference. A school band teacher may understand the basics of playing a clarinet, for example, but a private instructor can provide the student with a more in-depth perspective.
2. Accelerated Progress
There are many different aspects involved in musical education, both instrumental and vocal. On top of that, each child learns at their own pace. That means some children will progress faster than others. Supplemental music education can help your student keep up with the others in class, and perhaps even surpass them.
3. Reduced Frustration
One of the most common reasons students drop out of band or choir is because they become frustrated. She might feel as though she’s just not progressing, or progressing fast enough, and without a little bit of personal attention she may continue on that path of frustration and eventually want to quit.
4. Extra Encouragement
Supplemental instruction can serve as a source of encouragement to the student when they need it most. Private instruction helps your child succeed. One-on-one instruction inevitably leads to greater success. A private teacher can recognize where a student is struggling, as well as the first signs of frustration, and work to combat those.
5. Success Builds Confidence
Success breeds success; once your child gets something right, it builds confidence that doesn’t go away easily. Supplemental musical education encourages practice. One of the most frustrating things as a parent is getting your child to practice. With specific assignments from a private teacher, however, your child will know exactly what to work on. Students will learn that practicing correctly is much more effective than idle practice.
6. Increase Motivation
Outside instruction keeps your student motivated. For students who have been performing for many years, staying motivated can be a challenge. Once you’re past that beginning stage, it can be easy to get stuck. In many cases, it’s just a matter of having a little bit of outside accountability to help keep you motivated.
7. Find Affordable Lessons
Supplemental music education may not be as expensive as you think. Private instructors, such as those found on TakeLessons.com, can be rather affordable. Instructional videos, group music opportunities, and even self-teaching are all other options that can help students master their instrument or their voice, and can greatly add to the education that they’re getting in school – without breaking the bank.
School programs can do a good job of introducing musical concepts to your child, but if she has the desire and talent to take things a step further, supplementing her musical education with other activities will lead to better musicianship all around.
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How do you encourage your child to get involved in music and art? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
Related:
Five Effective Ways to Promote Literacy and Learning Through Music
Private Schools With Music Programs
Advantages of Specialty Arts Summer Camps: Exercising the Right Side of Your Child’s Brain
I personally would consider things the other way round. The lessons outside of school time would provide the foundation on which the in-school lessons would be built. You have already stated that there is only so much a child can learn in a group. Well, there is your answer! One to one learning is far more efficient and thorough. By the way, the technique of the violinist in the photo is terrible. I hope that she is either very much a beginner or a model, and not someone who has been playing for a while. It's very hard to correct bad technique – again, another problem that can come from group teaching. It's much better to learn the correct technique right from the start.
Hi there! Thank you for your comment and input! Certainly one on one attention gives children the sort of thorough instruction that can benefit them even more in school. It seems to me that the instructor in the photo is trying to show the student the correct technique too
Do you teach lessons yourself? We would love to hear more of your thoughts on educating children through music! ^em
I am a piano teacher in Vancouver, BC. I noticed that takelesson.com is for US only.
Maggie Zhang: http://www.pianistmaggie.com