Here are some things to consider before you leap on in!

How old?

Be ready to...

Stuff you'll need

Things you'll bring

What else helps?

You can start or restart lessons at any age, however children need to be at least 7 to be able to concentrate through a one-to-one lesson. Families can prepare younger children with lots of fun actively sharing music – any music, as long as you obviously enjoy it; this is a crucial contributor to the staying power of children in formal lessons.

...devote time at home to a regular practice routine of five days a week. Your lesson time is a small proportion of your weekly learning time.

• A piano. Or a touch-sensitive keyboard with at least 76 keys (weighted keys are best) PLUS a sustain pedal
  
• A metronome, or a metronome app; free ones are fine
  
• Online access at home
  
• A device for listening to sound files and/or a CD player
  
• An inviting spot to practise
  

• Curiosity
• A willingness to keep on trying and take risks
• Questions
• A readiness to ask for help
• Your own developing musical tastes
• The will to become a more independent learner

• Invite people to hear you play, either practising or performing
• Vary your practice place and instrument: home, school, friends, relatives, church, community facility
• Sing in a choir
• Take up another instrument and play with others from ukelele group to rock band to orchestra
• Skype someone special and play to them, especially grandparents!

TEACHING  >

© 2016 Sue Elton SonicWellington