Think your kid is ready to jump into the world of music but have no idea where or how to start? Don’t worry! Enrolling your child in anything new can be nerve wracking, especially if you don’t have experience in it yourself. To help make things easier, we’re breaking down the top 3 things that you need to know before enrolling your kid in a music school in Toronto.
1. When to start
It’s important to keep in mind that every child is different. What works for some may not work for others which means it’s important to gauge your child’s skills prior to signing them up for classes. Typically, the younger they start to learn, the easier it will be for them to catch on. However, each instrument has a different average age range to get started on. Let’s break it down:
Toronto Guitar Lessons
A guitar requires a child to be big enough to comfortably hold and play the instrument. On average, most students start around 7 years-old but what’s most important is that they have interest in the guitar and they can play it without struggling from the size or weight. If your kid can be seated and reach the low notes without having to fully extend their arm, they’re ready to rock!
Toronto Drum Lessons
It’s pretty easy to decipher if your kid will like playing drums. If they often bang on objects, clap their hands, or generally make noise with the things around them, then the drums are for them! Around the ages of 6-8 is usually the best time to get started because that’s when they have the attention-span to focus and practice without being as easily distracted.
Toronto Brass Lessons
The most common brass instruments include the trumpet, saxophone, trombone, tuba, and French horn. Most musicians in the brass family get their start between 6-10 years old. Unlike most other instruments, ones in the brass family are typically heavier and require quite a bit of breath-work which means it’s better to start when they’re a bit older.
Toronto Violin Lessons
If you want your child to get started at a young age, then you may want to opt for the violin. This is because you can start violin lessons as young as 5 years-old! Many violin instructors will say that if your child can hold a pencil, has an interest in music, and has a reasonable attention-span, they can get started with violin lessons!
Toronto Piano Lessons
The ideal age range to start your child in piano lessons is between 6-9. While keys on a piano are easier to operate compared to say a violin for example, your kid does need to have some basic skills to start playing. Does your child know left from right? Can they count to 4? Do they have at least a 30-minute attention-span? If yes to all of these, then they can get started with piano lessons in Toronto!
Toronto Voice Lessons
Like the drums, it’s pretty easy to tell if your child is interested in singing. While some children can get started with voice lessons as young as 5 years-old, the average age to start is between 6-8 years. This is because it’s easier to recognize and pick up on techniques. They’ll also need to be confident enough to sing in front of others.
If you’re having trouble figuring out if your kid is ready for music lessons, give us a call at Greater Toronto Music School. We can help you figure out what will work best and what instrument your kid will find the most joy in.
2. Time commitments
Like learning any other hobby or skill, music lessons in Toronto require regular time commitments to be successful. Depending on the age of your child and how busy they are, their lessons can range from 15-45 minutes per class. If they have a shorter attention span, the instructor may opt for shorter, more frequent lessons. If they can focus longer, a 45 minute to 1 hour lesson may be more impactful. For your child to make the most out of their lessons, they need to practice for at least half an hour each day. During practice time at home, it’s important for them to have a space free of distractions where they can solely focus on their music. Any time and space restraints are important to consider prior to signing your child up for Toronto music lessons.
At Greater Toronto Music School, we offer both private in-person lessons from your home or one of our studios or virtual classes to fit around any busy schedule. Finding a Toronto music school with flexible offerings can help relieve any stress you may have around tight time commitments.
3. Cost
The instrument your child chooses and where you live will determine the price you’re going to pay for lessons and the tools needed for at-home practice. Some instruments can be bought outright for a fairly decent price while some (such as the violin for example) can get pricey. If you’re on a tight budget, consider renting an instrument for your child instead of buying. Virtual classes can also be an inexpensive option compared to in-person lessons. And you can always find sheet music online to follow for practice time. While some instruments may require a bit of budget, you should never let money get in the way of your children’s music goals. There are tons of ways to save money while giving them the gift of music!
Though it may seem daunting at first, Toronto music lessons can be incredibly impactful to your child’s development in and out of the classroom. If you’re unsure of where to start or need some help deciding what is best for your kid, give us a call here at Greater Toronto Music School. We offer tons of in-person and virtual classes from drums to guitar to vocal lessons and more. We’d love to make recommendations for your child to see what type of lessons will work best for them, when to get started, and even which instrument to learn! Reach out to us today to learn more.
