Parents are often said to be the first teachers of their children. A parent’s role in a child’s musical journey is one that is very influential, and there are many ways in which parents can help their child with their music learning. Some parents who have little to no musical experience might feel uncertain about their role and what they can do to help their children. The good news is, there is a lot that parents can do, musical or not, to help their children achieve success in their musical journey!
Currently many parents decide to let their children to attend violin lesson is because violin small in size, light in weight and it is a portable violin which can bring it and play it in anywhere. In addition, it is also elegant and chic. Violin not too expensive for most family, it is a affordable instrument if compare with others . But in order to provide a happy music journey to children, there are always some tips and role for parents.
Key to parents ：
1）Fingers and ear training
whether children are interested in music or music instruments ? Do they like to listen to music, sing, or melody ? If Yes, congrats ! your child has the foundation to learn music. Next, is about children’s condition : Violin challenged four fingers of the left hand to press the note – if your child’s fingers not to get the note easily will affected while they play violin. The prefect way is to lead your child to music shop to experience it. Choose the suitable violin size for them. In addition, children’s sense of rhythm, melody and memory also play an importance role in violin journey.
2）Start at the right age
Many people assume that all children are ready to begin music lessons at age five to six. But that’s not necessarily the case. Children age 4 or younger are advised to participate in music interest class. In this case, they are easily to cultivate their interest in music, and parents can get to know how much passion their children to music to develop their music journey.
The age 5 to 6 is the best time. At this time, children’s bones have a good development and also have basic language expression and understanding ability. They can have better communication and understanding skill when communicate with music teacher.
What parents can do to and should do ? Parents can also enjoy music via listening music, singing, dancing and involve in simple music knowledge together with children to cultivate children’s interest and it is also a best way to increase the relationship between parents and children.t is important for students to know that they have the fullest support from both their parents and teachers on their musical journey. Words of affirmation and encouragement go a long way in helping a child know that their effort, time, and hard work is acknowledged.
3） How hard is it to learn Violin ?
It is begins with how you hold the violin : with your chin, neck and shoulder muscles. This does not come naturally to most because we don’t use chins and necks to hold things.
By the way, hand technique is the most challenging to children ; Left hand’s fingers need to be able to move completely independently of the other. Hand needs to contort into very odd positions and need to be able to do this quickly. While right hand’s need to focus on bow stoke. Too little pressure and you get no tone, or squeaks. Too much pressure, and you’ll get cringe-inducing scratches.
Other than that, fingers had to find the right spot to present the correct sound, accurate to within less than a millimetre. Therefore, parents may encourage children to practice more, give more patient, watch violinist’s performing video clips, listen to more music to keep the sensitivity of ear.
4）Individual or Group Class
Parents often consider about individual lesson or group lesson. In fact, there are advantages and disadvantages :
**One to one teaching methods are more targeted. Teacher able to correct the children directly, can be more focus and get to know the strength and the weakness of children. But because of learn alone in lesson, children might get bored in long term.
**For sure, the atmosphere of small group lesson will be much better than individual lesson for children. They can learn together will other children and make fun together which is easy to generate interest and encourage each other. However, because of the different ability to each child, teacher usually adopt the teaching progress which to fix every students. From this case, some children who are fast learner might feel not challenging enough. In term of lesson fees, individual lesson will be higher than group lesson. Parents can make a decision according to their own situation and financial ability.
5）Time guarantee
It is necessary to cultivate the habit of practising violin and attendance of violin lesson. Show them that regular commitment is important for progress. Children that do not attend lessons every week start to fall behind and feel insecure. Allocate time to do their ’homework’ (practice) each week where you will not be disrupted by work, TV, siblings or other outside distraction. “Little and often” is the key to successful music practise so putting aside 3 slots of 15 minutes to sit with your child will be far more productive than an hour before class the next day! It will also make it more enjoyable and manageable for you and your child.
6） Encourage
Even if we haven’t ourselves learnt a musical instrument, or had musch of a musical journey, as adults and parents we have the experience and benefit of having had long-term relationships. We know that usually “this, too, will pass” and can remind our children of this and help them get through any difficult dips in their journey. Equally we can encourage by celebrating achievements and progress during the peak times.
7）If you are in a hurry, you never get there.
Nothing come ease, don’t be hurry to see the result. Always educate children to start from “slow and stable” , to be practical, just like walking, leaving a solid tie for each step. Your brain needs time to develop pathways for telling many muscles what to do. If you understand this process, you can design practice that will be more effective and get you where you want to go more quickly. But it will still take time. Be patient. Good foundation always play an importance role in music journey.
source : http://www.da-yin.com/Info/xiaotiqinzhichi/787.html