Music Class: when is a good time to start?
They say it's never too early to start, but it that really true? For a little babe clearly shows interest in all things musical, when do you think would be the best time to start? An urbanMama recently emailed:
My daughter Uma is 9 months old but already she is so musically inclined and just enjoys anything that makes noise, listening to music, dancing etc. I am writing to see if anyone has suggestions for Portland (or outlying areas) that provide music lessons at an early age -- not necessarily right now, but when could/should we start? How early do they start? I just want to offer this early on since it seems to make her so happy and I really think she has a talent for rhythm. Thanks so much for the suggestions in advance!
For previous recommendations on music classes, check out:
Or even:
I have both my girls (4 yo and 20 mo) in Kindermusik (with Anne Clark, close-in east side). Both started at about a year old. I take them to music class because neither my husband or I are particularly musical, and we want our girls to at least have the opportunity to develop that side of themselves! But we have all loved the classes. Mrs. Clark is a great teacher, it's a good opportunity for some socializing (for the girls and for me), and they do seem to be learning from it. I would highly recommend it. You can find out more at http://www.letsbeginwithmusic.com/
Posted by: charis | May 28, 2008 at 01:32 PM
We have been attending Music Together classes the last 2 years. My daughter is almost 3. We love the classes at the southeast location. http://www.musictogether-pdx.com/
I highly recommend Music Together--great fun and highly qualified teachers! We loved Betsy and Maggie.
Posted by: eastside mom | May 28, 2008 at 01:48 PM
We've always taken classes at the Community Music Center through parks and rec. The price is great and the classes start at 6mos. Sheera is our favorite teacher.
Posted by: mom22 | May 28, 2008 at 02:08 PM
We did a couple of music together classes with Mila and she loved it. We hope to start Gael on this soon as well.
Posted by: Milagros | May 28, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Another vote for Music Together -- we loved our experience. Our daughter was overwhelmed and shy at first, but by the end of the first season, she was HOOKED! (She still asks for "Baila!" all the time - from one of her favorite songs - heck, she learned some Spanish while we were at it!) She was 1.5 when we started, but there were babies as young as 9 months in our class, and everyone had lots of fun.
Posted by: Amy | May 28, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Another vote for the Community Music Center. It's cheaper than Music Together but uses a lot of the same music and philosophies. Plus it's a beautiful old building that houses a variety of music classes as your little one grows up. My 2 y.o. LOVES Teacher Connie.
Posted by: christinadw | May 28, 2008 at 04:35 PM
In my opinion, it's never too early to start music class. I take my baby to Music Together and we both LOVE it. Well worth the expense as she is really developing a growing appreciation for music of all genres. I've seen her start to understand many aspects of music including rhythm, timbre, lyrics and rhymes, etc. Babies and children soak up so much when they are little. Learning music is really just like learning a new language.
Posted by: sg | May 28, 2008 at 05:14 PM
Music classes are great starting as young as possible! I think it is great to share the love of music with your child and to expose them to learning and enjoying music at a young age. As a mom myself and and the director of the Pfeifer PianoWerks & MusicWerks Studios I personally think music is very important in a child's life. My Studio is going to be offering classes for babies and toddlers starting in September 2008 with the MusikGarten program and we offer introduction to piano classes the Piano Pixies starting at 3 years old here in NE Portland.
I am always wanting to encourage parents to expose their child to music and to help them find the right fit for their needs either our Studio or someone close to you. our website is http://www.pianowerks.com
Posted by: Robyn | May 28, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Well I guess now is a good time to share the news that my husband and I are opening a new music school this fall in N Portland! We will be called Sound Roots School of Modern Music and we plan to offer private lessons and classes to people of all ages and skill levels.
We will offer "Rookie Rock" to the wee ones and their folks. Although we will have a similar format to most baby/toddler music classes, we will make sure it is truly fun for everyone (including parents) by sharing songs that make us all happy, including stuff by the Beatles, James Taylor, Bob Marley and the like.
As the others have said, starting children as young as possible in some form of formal music education is great for a building a lifelong foundation for a love of music (not to mention improved math and language skills as they get older!)
Since we are still brand new, we have not finalized our lease, but we are currently working on a place right off MLK near NE Failing. I will make a formal announcement when we are up and running (hopefully in 4-6 weeks) but for now please feel free to call me with any questions or to pre-register for the fall. 503 490 8470.
Posted by: Fara | May 28, 2008 at 09:52 PM
I'm a piano and voice teacher for the Pianowerks Studio in NE off of 28th and Prescott. I can vouch as a teacher and a parent that it's a great atmosphere, very warm an accomodating of all levels and interests. I recommend a mommy-and-me type class for 9 months and up, and then graduating into a preschool intro-to-music class when the child is around 3 1/2. Pianowerks offers a great Piano Pixies class if you want a gentle segue into private piano lessons. Older elementary-age kids can take piano, voice, or guitar. Let us know you heard about Pianowerks on this site! :)
Posted by: kristen c | May 28, 2008 at 10:30 PM
We've been going to a music together class in Milwaukie http://www.musicseeds.com since my son was about 3-4 months old; he's now 11 months. He's loved it from the beginning - very alert, smiles a lots, gets lots of attention from the other kids (baby!, baby!). I like it because it is a nice family night for us, and I am not otherwise likely to burst out in song.
Posted by: Sara | May 29, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Gymboree music classes are fantastic! It doesnt matter what teacher you get, they only hire excellent people.My daughter loved these classes from10 months to 3.
Posted by: Heather | May 29, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Music class is great for kids. But, I have to throw this in...I was a SAHM and music class was as much for me as for my son. I met great moms and wasn't nearly as isolated. So, if that's a concern for you, do it at any age!
Posted by: not lonely mama | May 29, 2008 at 02:14 PM
We LOVE Music Together. My 4 y-o has attended classes beginning at just 6 mo. and continues to love and grow from the experience. It's expensive but I understand they offer alternatives to families who aren't able to afford the tuition. Have fun!
Posted by: Mama G | May 29, 2008 at 05:46 PM
I've been a music teacher since 1986 (started in high school). I'm currently "retired" to take care of my children, except for teaching 3 hours per week. I've taught lots of early childhood music classes. Baby/toddler/preschool music classes are a blast!! For parents that have the $ to afford them, go for it. But everyone should also know that more important than anything is that you SING and play musically with your children. If in their earliest years they find their singing voice and learn to keep a steady beat, that alone provides the entire foundation for their future musical development. Being "non-musical" is in 99% of cases completely due to lack of exposure, especially in the earliest years. So, while classes are great, the parent's musical interactions with their children is, in my opinion, 100x more important. That said, I also can't say enough how much sheer *fun* can be had in music class together. Probably more than any other kind of class. :)
Posted by: KE | June 01, 2008 at 01:10 AM
It is nice to hear the comment by KE that singing to the children in earlier years provides a foundation for appreciation for music ongoing. When our second daughter was an infant/toddler, we did a music class at the Community Music Center. While it was fun to meet other parents and also to explore new sounds / instruments in a guided setting, I don't necessarily think that it established a love for music.
Our older daughter started piano lessons at 6. As our younger daughter approaches 5, we start to wonder when is a good time to start. It will probably be soon. Both my husband and I started piano lessons (then later did flute & sax) at age 5, and I suppose it was a fine time to start the more formal lessons.
Our daughters love music and love dance. I think part of this is because we play a lot of music in our family - from all our (old school) favorite R&B/soul to more recent hip hop/pop music. We sing and dance often. We still play the piano, both adults in the house, and the girls will perform their lyrical expressions of the piece.
Posted by: olivia | June 01, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Just one more comment, in addition to what I wrote above. I've taught private piano and recorder lessons for years too. My daughter is no nearing 5 years old and I am not in any hurry to start her on any particular instrument. I've started piano students as young as 4. Most often, the 4-year-old beginner and the 7-year-old beginner were in pretty close to the same ability level by the age of 9 or 10. Of course, I’ve taught many exceptions too, and if a 4-year-old is begging like crazy for piano lessons, by all means do it! But really only if they’re begging. Otherwise, do a lot of dabbling. Pull out different instruments at home (if you’re fortunate to have some around the house) or at friends’ houses. Go out and take advantage of the hundreds of free musical events around Portland. Sing and sing and sing. And dance.
I personally feel that 7 is an ideal age to start formal music lessons, unless you have either a musical genius or a child who has huge intrinsic motivation to study. I also think 11 is a little too late to start formal musical training. Not that it’s ever too late to study music, but I do think it gets into their system more “organically” if not started past a certain point. Anyway… Just my two cents. ☺
Posted by: KE | June 01, 2008 at 11:41 PM