I can handle little “A”

I think that that is great. The only thing my mom pushed me to do was to take piano lessons, but I already had an interest and was trying to learn on my own. After two years of lessons I quit because I was taking things on my own and not following what the teacher wanted me to learn as she was very classical and I enjoy contemporary music, and country style stuff. I progressed even further after I quit taking the lessons and now play keyboard in a band, but it was those fundamentals and the theory about reading music and stuff that I learned in the lessons. If the interest is there in the child then they will get out of the lessons what they need and put their own emotion and their own inspiration into it and carry into something they love. Once I quit taking piano lessons I also started teaching myself guitar and now those two are my main instruments that I play just about the same ability. I also picked up banjo, fiddle, bass, and now the steel guitar. I know the violin/fiddle is about the hardest instrument I've tried to learn yet, but it's definitely a fun one, and It's just something you have to stick with. I never got any formal instruction on it so I know my techniques are off, and I don't have the practice time to put into it since I concentrate on the keyboard and guitar the most, but if she takes what she learns to heart and uses the techniques and theory she learns I believe she'll have a lot of fun. Keep up with the little A!

For the last two summers (not this year) we had to endure the 2pm one hour rehearsals of the neighbour's cadet children playing the bagpipes and drum together. They would march around the backyard for an hour. I have nothing against bagpipes but it did becoming annoying day in and day out. My children are sports nuts so they have not taken up any music. I would like them to take piano but we can't afford the lessons or the piano. My father was in the music business all his life. He and his brother and HIS father are all listed in the Encylopedia of Music. Dad was a music publisher. In exchange for discounts in sheet music he got us piano lessons. It was mandatory that we take piano lessons for at least one year and then we could decide if we wanted to quit. I decided to quit and to this day I regret it. From what I have heard, music makes kids smarter in all areas of life. Perserve, my dear. :)

Growing up, my brother and I were into sports, though I regret now not taking any kind of music lessons. She may not be the best now, but who knows where it can take her in the future. For now, you can always invest in some ear plugs for yourself :)

I have never played an instrument although my daughter played the clarinet for about 9 years and occasionally picks it up now and again, she plays beautifully and was first chair a few times in school and had a few solos to play in concerts too. She was a straight A student, graduating from both high School and college with honors. I think the music "played" a part in that, as well as building her confidence and self esteem. My oldest son also played in the band, he played trumpet, he didn't like it as much as his sister even though he also was very good at it, so I didn't push it any more. Maybe my youngest son will take up playing the trumpet since we have a nice one that is not being used any more. It's hard to hear those first few notes, but it's all worth it once you hear them play in their very first concert.

LOL. I used to take piano lessons. And I'm sure I tortured my parents and siblings endlessly with my practicing. I can't imagine listening to a viloin practice! My daughter has a kid-sized acoustic guitar. No, she doesn't know how to play it yet. But she sure tries....

LOL, don't worry she'll get better. I started playing instruments when I was about 8. I started on the clarinet, then moved to the alto sax, the piano, and the flute. I've always loved music and enjoy playing whenever I can. I started teaching my daughter how to play the piano when she was small becasue I wanted her to learn to enjoy music as much as I have. I write songs here and there so being able to read and play music comes in handy when you're writing your own.

I think one of the very best things you can do for a child is to encourage them to play a musical instrument. You should be proud of yourself. You will be even prouder that first time you hear your child pay something that really sounds like something. All 3 of my children took piano. I play the guitar a bit and have off and on for many years. I started taking lessons again myself to learn some new stuff. I'm over 50. So it's never too late. I play for the challenge of learning new stuff and for relaxation. For me, playing guitar is how I unwind at the end of the day.

LOL oh my I havent played an instrument myself but I my kids have gone through a drum kit (my son wants another one), guitar (acust AND electric), bass guitar (both still have them..my son is actually pretty good), steel drum, recorder, keyboard and thats all I can think of LOL My daughter HAS played violin but only at my brothers with his ex gf who played...and she was surprised at how easily my daughter picked up on it...ever since then (that was 2 yrs ago) my girlie has wanted one....I've been holding off though LOL She also wants to join band (at school) and BECAUSE I KNOW she'd have to practice all the tiem at home I'm kinda holding off on tht too LOL..

I played the violin and viola for several years when I was in school. I also played the glockenspiel (Bell Lyre), and my favorite instrument to play was and is my voice. I was fortunate enough to be part of the generation where schools had quality music departments that affordes us the choice to choose whatever instrument we wanted to learn to play---many schools no longer have that luxury. Playing an instrument was great fun. I've picked up the violin here and there, and I am always singing. I have been teaching my youngest (7 year old) to read music and play the recorder at home. We have a blast, and by next summer she wants to be ready to play the guitar or piano. She wants to play, she wants to practice. I think some parents make the mistake and force a child to play an instrument they choose, and will find the child has no interest or desire, and can ruin the musical experience. Music should be fun. They benefit of playing an instrument that I have found with my daughter, is that we have one more quality activity we can do and share together. There is nothing like seeing her face light up when she plays a piece of music from start to finish without a mistake. She's thrilled and excitement is contagious. Equally fun, is laughing over the flubs she makes and the weird sounds that do often come out of that instrument. I recently wrote an article, which reflects my views on children playing musical instruments: http://www.helium.com/tm/586139/musical-instruments-childrenmusic-wonderful

LMAO! I think it's great :) I LOVE the violin. It's a beautiful instrument. When I was in the sixth grade I did join the band. I WANTED to play the Saxophone but our band teacher/leader thought I should play the flute instead. I didn't like it much and stopped after that year. I wanted to learn how to play the guitar but never did. I learned a little on the piano/keyboard but nothing major and no lessons were involved. I think the benefits of music are far beyond what any of us even know. You never know her playing the violin could lead into a college scholorship :) Not to mention all the other great things you've mentioned and I'm sure others will :)

LOL Thats funny. When I was in 3rd grade I played the violin. I played for two years then got involved in sports. Its a very good learning experiance for her!

lol...i remember when my daughter was in grade 7 and 8 and was learning how to play the sax. oh man, our cat ran and hide when she saw my daughter coming home! seriously, i try to encourage my kids in everything they do and fortunately now, she into singing... my advice to you is to buy earplugs!!! :-)

I've never played an instrument and my child is a baby right now.I would like in the future him to play the piano. Benefit relax, pleasure,

hi sunshine cup i do not have kids hwo play but my house is so close to my neighbours kids house i hear then playing all the time i love them dearly they play the piano but if i hear we ish you amerry christmas and silent night one more im gonna scream lol but dont dispise small beginnings right now if a is all your duaghter child can play on that violin is an a encourage her to play that a with all her heart i know it may get a little annoying at times hearing the same note all the time lol but it will be better for her in long run just think she is learning something new and it will make her better in the long run and soon or later she will know a full song and then you can say to yourself it was worth it because now she has gone from me listening to that annoying a too playing a full song and you will look back and just smile and say thats was then this is now!!!!!

i learn to play organ since i am 7 years old... and i learn it until grade 8... unfortunately, i didn't finish it because i go overseas to continue my study... now my finger already too stiff i think to learn another instrument... anyway, i think it is very good for children to learn how to play musical instrument as it really develops their self-confidence like you say... take care...

I've never played an instrument. I always wanted to learn piano though. I've even thought about getting lessons now. I can type like the wind so maybe my fingers would be able to play piano. My oldest just started preschool, so no kids play instruments yet. I think it will be neat if they want to play something.

I think it's wonderful that your daughter wants to play the violin; if the desire is there, she will probably do well with it. It's a bit hard on the ears listening to our kids trying to learn an instrument, but persevere with it sunshinecup - you will end up being so proud of her accomplishment! I must have driven my parents mad when I was a young girl trying to learn the clarinet at home! Thankfully, they put up with me, and eventually I got it right! Learning an instrument gives kids confidence and self esteen, so it's worth it. My own kids weren't interested in music, but my 13 y.o. grand-daughter is learning the sax and the trumpet, so now my daughter is having to wear ear-plugs till her daughter improves; she is getting better!

Wll, you must have a great time in future as i think its not only nice to play by myself but its also very enjoable for me to hear someone playing and if that person is in my family I can hear then antime and if they play nice, ts a great way o recreation and relaxing, a great time pass when I fel sad or lonely, so your daughter will play so nice one day and will give you the pleasure for sure I never had any lesson in instrument as i was so much in sprots all the time

I do not have any siblings and was fortunate to have a Mom who encouraged me to try my hand at any creative pursuit I was interested in. I studied guitar and piano but they did not hold my interest. I heard music in my head that I could not play adequately so I chose not to frustrate myself and I studied a wide variety of dance instead. Tap, ballet, jazz..and they all allowed me to 'feel' the music I knew was inside of me. My Mom also funded my interest in the theater and voice training and all of it added to my confidence. I remember my first dance recital around the age of six. Mom and Dad came and when I saw them in the crowd I felt proud as punch. Afterwards they came to the dressing room with a big bouquet of yellow roses because they are my favorite color and flower. So in my view an and rounds out their sense of self and develops a love of the performing arts is healthy. Although we do not have kids of our own all our friends do. Everyone one of them is involved in some for of music appreciation and even though they participate in sports having a way to creatively express their talent is a gift any parent can give. So....maybe get some earplugs and hang in there you could have a blooming prodigy there! None of us know what we are capable of until we try! Good luck with it...and you sound like a great Mom! Cheers, Raia

Aww bless her, and you too honey. I am so on your wavelenght and can picture the situation as pretty similar to when i was a kid and had piano and later guitar leassons, lol. My, i was driving my parrents and siblings arround the bend. The piano thing was my parrents idea as my dad played at soup, steak and banana split parties or to balls in the small local activity centres. But i was more into the guitar thing. Piano in my opinion was an ole fashioned thing, the instrument of the time was the guitar. I was begging my parrent for years to have a guitar befor i finally got one at my 15th birthday. However where my dad would pay for the piano leassons he would not pay for guitar leassons as he saw it and me and my friends as a bunch of hippies, outlaws and autonome vandals to the music he loved and lived for. hahaha However learning by myself how to play the guitar it was the best thing i ever did in my childhood. At the time working in a kindergarden i had a great tool to gather the kids for some singing and playing and at same time had a pretty uncritical audience for my exercises, lol. Later in life i used to pick up my guitar any chance i had and have been to countless of parties, barbeques or other gatherings, where my guitar was allways a reliable partner. Never went anywhere without it. Ofcourse this have given me some very fund times and memories as everybody else did the same, but with their instruments and we had some pretty cool jam sessions. Aww yes, very very fund times and memories. Today unfortunately i have arthorisis (fck difficult word) in my fingers and can no longer play the guitar and nobody brings their instruments to parties anymore. Dont know where the time and spirit has gone but thinking of it i miss it very very much. Im glad and proud on behalf of ya daughter to have a mum that gives me this opportunity in life. Nobody knows what pleassures lies in front of her for having this option. Bless you, my dear friend. :)