Are you thinking about starting music lessons at Forte School of music Kent?
Your questions answered
Your questions answered
|
When is a good age for my child to start music lessons?
The best time to start learning music is as young as possible! We have children that have moved through the Forte programme from the early days of Jungle Music, who then easily tackle the demands of the keyboard courses when they are 4 and 5 years of age. The children who start in Jungle music courses are naturally:
|
|
How much practice is required?
It is much more beneficial to practice often and for shorter times than less frequent but for longer times.
It is much more beneficial to practice often and for shorter times than less frequent but for longer times.
- For children, we expect a minimum of 10 minutes at least 3 times a week. This can be stretched out to 20 minutes, 4 to 5 times per week. Remember we still want to keep it fun, and you’ll be surprised how much children learn if they maintain a regular practice schedule. This is helped by our homework practice sheets.
- As the children move past 10 years old, and for adults, you should be practice for 20 to 30 minutes, 4 to 5 times per week.
What instrument is a good one for my child to start learning?
At Forte we generally recommend piano as a good place to start. This is because the notes are easily accessible and each note is easy to play, one key at a time. Where as other instruments may require playing a combination of keys or strings at once. This will also mean more complex hand movements. Also on a piano the notes are visually laid out in order from lowest to highest, making it easier to understand the pitch of the instrument.
Pianos are relatively low upkeep in terms of tuning. Tuning is performed annually by a piano tuner. Electronic pianos or digital pianos do not require any tuning. Best of all, there is no need to worry about daily or frequent tuning that is required by other instruments especially stringed instruments.
At Forte we generally recommend piano as a good place to start. This is because the notes are easily accessible and each note is easy to play, one key at a time. Where as other instruments may require playing a combination of keys or strings at once. This will also mean more complex hand movements. Also on a piano the notes are visually laid out in order from lowest to highest, making it easier to understand the pitch of the instrument.
Pianos are relatively low upkeep in terms of tuning. Tuning is performed annually by a piano tuner. Electronic pianos or digital pianos do not require any tuning. Best of all, there is no need to worry about daily or frequent tuning that is required by other instruments especially stringed instruments.
Why are Jungle Music classes split- up by age group?
The Jungle Music Courses have been developed by Early Childhood Specialist, Movement Specialists, and Musicians. The activities are age specific and age appropriate based on what your child can typically do at the age group. We also find that if a child is much older than another, they can tend to dominate simply because of their physical size.
The age groups for the different classes are:
We do closely monitor your child’s development through the program, and there are occasions when children move up to the next age-group a few months early.
The Jungle Music Courses have been developed by Early Childhood Specialist, Movement Specialists, and Musicians. The activities are age specific and age appropriate based on what your child can typically do at the age group. We also find that if a child is much older than another, they can tend to dominate simply because of their physical size.
The age groups for the different classes are:
- Jungle Music Babies – 6 months to 18 months
- Jungle Music Friends – 2.5 to 3.5 years
We do closely monitor your child’s development through the program, and there are occasions when children move up to the next age-group a few months early.
Parents in Class
For children in our Jungle Music, Music is Fun, Junior Keys and Piano Keys Classes we require the Parent to be in the class and become involved in the activities. We find effective learning occurs when you show a real interest in your child’s lessons. Participating in class will also mean you can help your child when they practice.
Because children in Private Lessons are often 8 years or older, they already have experience learning without you being in the class. So even though Parents are welcome to accompany their child to the lessons, they can wait in the reception area. We do ask that you are around at the end of the lessons as your child's teacher will like to have a quick chat to fill you in on the week's progress and what the focus will be on for the following week.
Older and younger siblings in class
It is recommended that older/younger siblings are not in the class with your child who is enrolled to learn. Siblings can often interfere with your child’s learning in class. Class number are also limited to 8, and with siblings (particularly those who then want to become a part of the lesson) in the class increasing that number can also have a negative impact on the learning of the rest of the children.
For children in our Jungle Music, Music is Fun, Junior Keys and Piano Keys Classes we require the Parent to be in the class and become involved in the activities. We find effective learning occurs when you show a real interest in your child’s lessons. Participating in class will also mean you can help your child when they practice.
Because children in Private Lessons are often 8 years or older, they already have experience learning without you being in the class. So even though Parents are welcome to accompany their child to the lessons, they can wait in the reception area. We do ask that you are around at the end of the lessons as your child's teacher will like to have a quick chat to fill you in on the week's progress and what the focus will be on for the following week.
Older and younger siblings in class
It is recommended that older/younger siblings are not in the class with your child who is enrolled to learn. Siblings can often interfere with your child’s learning in class. Class number are also limited to 8, and with siblings (particularly those who then want to become a part of the lesson) in the class increasing that number can also have a negative impact on the learning of the rest of the children.
Trial Music Lessons
We understand just how important it is for a student to connect with and like their teacher, no matter the age. To address this right at the beginning, we offer Free Trials for all our Classes, and Discounted Trials for all our Private Lessons. The Trials allow you to see the school, meet the teacher, experience a lesson, to help you determine if we are the right school for you.
If for some reason, you or your child don't quite 'gel' with your teacher please do let us know. We're sure to have someone just right for you! That's the beauty of coming to Forte School of Music!
Do I need an instrument of my own for my trial lesson?
For your Trial Lesson, there's no need to have an instrument. Once you start your lesson you will have to practice, so you're going to need to have your own instrument.
We understand just how important it is for a student to connect with and like their teacher, no matter the age. To address this right at the beginning, we offer Free Trials for all our Classes, and Discounted Trials for all our Private Lessons. The Trials allow you to see the school, meet the teacher, experience a lesson, to help you determine if we are the right school for you.
If for some reason, you or your child don't quite 'gel' with your teacher please do let us know. We're sure to have someone just right for you! That's the beauty of coming to Forte School of Music!
Do I need an instrument of my own for my trial lesson?
For your Trial Lesson, there's no need to have an instrument. Once you start your lesson you will have to practice, so you're going to need to have your own instrument.
|
|
|
Forte School of Music Weald of Kent,
Pattenden Lane,
Marden, Kent
TN12 9QJ
[email protected]
01622 910010
Pattenden Lane,
Marden, Kent
TN12 9QJ
[email protected]
01622 910010