Posted by Scotty B. (209.240.220.217) on September 06, 2000 at 21:54:42:
In Reply to: Re: Children and Harmonicas posted by Lowell on September 06, 2000 at 00:44:06:
: : I have heard that the Harmonica is a great 1st music instrument for a child to play. Any advice on this?
: : Thanks for your help.
: I'd have to say that harmonicas are great for kids to have, because they can practice them anywhere, great for long car rides, etc. But if you want your child to get into music young, I'd suggest getting them involved in some group keyboard based music lessons like Yamaha or something. This will develop their ear and rhythm, and the keyboard is easy to make a sound, high or low, but mostly the keyboard gives a good visual basis for all theory that will follow in their music career. I teach guitar, and I have found that kids with some keyboard background learn several times quicker than those without.
: Also, children at age 5 or 6 don't know what they want to play yet. They may say they want to play violin, or sax, but for heaven's sake, put them in a general music course, they'll learn some keyboard skills, then at age 7 or 8, they can make a much more educated decision and will have the dexterity to not become frustrated with string or wind instruments
excellent point - theory is very important at an early age