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Frequently Asked Questions

  • The youngest I have worked with is 4 years old, but a child’s readiness depends on attention span and fine motor skills. With young children, I often incorporate musical games to engage them. Piano requires fewer fine motor abilities than guitar. Some kids are able to begin guitar at 5. (Nylon strings are preferred as they are easier on the fingers.)

  • At a minimum of 15 minutes 3 times a week. unless the goal is just experiential. Thirty minutes daily would be in line with a more serious intent. In general, the more you practice the faster you progress.

  • A minimum of six months is needed to stimulate interest and determine aptitude for a specific instrument. Musical aptitude varies widely, and mastery, of course, can take years.

  • As one gains musical competence, it is sometimes useful to switch to a teacher who specializes in the style you are most interested in. Of course, it’s most important to choose a teacher who creates enthusiasm for music and mentors well.

  • Most commonly, once a week starting at 30 minutes.

  • Yes, students are responsible for renting or buying an instrument so they can practice in between lessons.

Children’s  Music

In her original children’s album Let’s Love the Animals, Alison gets down and gets silly. Her energy and enthusiasm are infectious, and kids can’t resist joining in and playing along with these whimsical tunes about animals and how they enrich our lives!

The Brain-Music Connection

In a study at Northwestern University, Professor of Neurobiology Nina Kraus says:

Based on what we already know about the ways that music helps shape the brain, it suggests that short term music lessons may enhance life-long listening and learning.

Kraus also notes that highly trained musicians have enhanced brain stem response to sounds associated with executive function and auditory communication skills.”

Christine Carter in her Huffington Post article summarizes what many have known for a while:

  • Musical training heightens people’s abilities to pick out specific sounds /a harmony or melody, a voice in a crowd. This ability makes us more adept at learning languages.

  • Musical training enhances kids’ brains.

  • Music lessons have been shown to improve language skills, speech, memory, attention and even the understanding of vocal emotion.

Encouraging Kids to Engage in Music

Ever consider using music lessons as a way to spend quality time with your kids?

I’ve noticed parents who learn with their kids really have a great time. It’s a way to combine education and parental positive reinforcement. Both of you can take a lesson together (guitar works really well for this). For example, you can start by having young kids play a scaled down version of full chords while you challenge yourself with unmodified chords.

Even if you haven’t played a musical instrument before, it’s not too late to start.

Tips for Practicing an Instrument

  • At the very least sit down with your child once a week for 15 minutes and ask them to play what they learned and be sure to be positive.

  • The kids that do best unless they are prodigies are those that are routinely encouraged.

  • Use the time wisely to connect with them and help them see the benefits that music discipline has on many aspects of life and brain function.

  • There is no perfect instrument or perfect result with playing music, it’s about the learning process.

Music And Aging: What’s age got to do with it?

I was thinking recently about the seniors I have worked with and the positive impact learning music has had on their lives.

I also know that music has been used therapeutically with Parkinson’s patients as well as for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Because music is processed primarily on the right side of the brain, it facilitates communication and emotional stimulation for those who have language impairment, often incurred in a stroke or traumatic brain injury.

Think you’re too old to participate in music lessons? It’s just not true. Even if your arthritis is severe, you can sing and enjoy the lift to the spirit that music provides, particularly in a group setting. Involvement in a musical activity keeps people of all ages engaged in life and challenges their right-brain functions.

Additionally,  people with arthritis are often still able to play the piano.