Music lessons are important for many reasons, including helping your child learn about music theory, improving their linguistic awareness and skills, and helping them develop a personal musical taste. But parents need to be aware of the potential dangers of getting their kids involved in music lessons. Wrong getting your kids involved in music lessons can result in misunderstandings and reduced enthusiasm for music — not to mention the potential risk of overstimulation. Here are five top reasons why getting your kids involved in music lessons is a bad idea.
It is difficult for parents to have time for music lessons
A good rule of thumb when it comes to the importance of music for a child’s development is that if the music is heard regularly, the child will be more likely to develop to the point of needing instruction. This is especially true for children under the age of five: When we are not actively learning how to play an instrument, we are often influenced by social situations, distractions, and other factors that may prevent us from getting enough exercise or time for proper music practice. Fortunately, there are many ways to incorporate music into your child’s day. Having the option to skip some of the lessons can help your child avoid getting overstimulated, while still encouraging them to try new materials.
Music Lessons Are Part of the Child’s Culture
As noted above, music lessons are a part of our child’s culture. The more familiar a child is with popular music, the more likely he or she is to become an enthusiastic listener. This is certainly true for young children, even those with advanced musical taste: Young children who are not exposed to many song types are more likely to develop a love for popular music. The parent-child communication that comes from playing music can feel like a foreign language to the child: When he or she first creates a song, she or he may not even realize she is speaking the language. As time passes and the song improves in skill, the child will appreciate the advantages of being able to understand the words, but may also develop a taste for complex verse-chorus formulae. Learning how to “fill in the blanks” when playing an instrument can also help a child develop a personal musical taste, allowing him or her to explore different styles and techniques.
Having a Musician in the Home Is Risky
Since having a musician in the home can be a life-or-death decision for a family, it’s important to understand the potential risks of getting your kids involved in music lessons. Getting a musician in the home can be a risk if: 1) You don’t have the means to control the music, or, 2) You don’t want to control the music but want to get more creative with the sounds and rhythms. If you have a rule book-fail, your kids may end up playing an 8th- or 10th-century composition that you don’t like. In this case, their focus should be on improving their ability to play a tune in a more contemporary setting. You should also be aware that having a young child play an instrument can be an accelerant to talent.
Summing up
Getting your kids involved in music lessons can be a great idea for both parents and teachers. The important thing is to make sure the potential dangers are understood and addressed appropriately. Once you get started, your child will enjoy the process and learn quickly from a variety of sources, from authoritative ears to online lessons. Taking music lessons isn’t just good for your child’s developing musical talent; it’s also good for your relationship with your music and language skills. If you’re interested in getting your kids involved in music lessons, talk to your child’s librarian or music teacher about what music they like, what they’d like to learn, and what they feel they can learn. Ask them if they have a favorite song, album, or artist they’d like to learn more about. If they don’t have any specific requests, ask if they’d be interested in learning more about or getting their friend to practice for them.