Children and instruments
By lisado
@lisado (1227)
United States
April 4, 2007 7:08am CST
Does your child play an instrument? If so, what kind? Did they choose or did you choose it for them? Do they take outside lessons that you pay for or play at school?
Our oldest loves music but hasn't had formal lessons. He has a piano and guitar but he makes his own music. I'd like to get him piano lessons, I just don't know if he would cooperate with them or not? He was diagnosed with Autism at 2 years old and is non-verbal. He loves to read and play his instruments but he wants to do both by himself. He doesn't want help and doesn't appreciate when you try to help him. I might still try to get him lessons one day, but for right now he is happy playing himself. I'd like to do something for our other son, as well, but want him to be able to pick out what he wants to play himself. Since he's only 11 months old, we have a little bit of time to wait.
2 people like this
4 responses
@beaniefanatic13 (5068)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
4 Apr 07
For one of our children we did put him in private lessons for almost a year as he showed a consistent ability to want to learn how to play his guitar.
Yes the children picked their own instruments they just didn't have the desire to continue for any length of time. I always think that it's important to let the children decide what they want to play. This will increase their desires to learn I believe. If they give up to soon, I think that's ok also. I never want to push them to do those activities that don't work out. We do always encourage them to give it a fair chance.
For your oldest I would check into lessons with someone that actually works with children with disabilities as they would have both the patience and the understanding of how to teach. Just my thoughts on the subject.
@lisado (1227)
• United States
20 Apr 07
That's the trick, though, finding someone who knows and understands how to work with him. Also, he is VERY picky. He likes or hates people on site, for whatever reason. We went thru four or five speech therapists before we found one that he would work with. Since this would be even more specialized, finding a tutor might be hard.
I wonder if they offer piano lessons on pay on demand? I've seen that our digital cable company offers guitar lessons that way. lol
@dlkuku (1935)
• United States
4 Apr 07
All three of my children took music lessons. My son plays the trumpet, the soprano horn, the drums, the piano and the guitar. My older daughter plays the flute and the alto. My younger daughter took trumpet lessons but she just couldn't get into it like the other two. When my two older ones got into High School, they were in the band, but they also joined a Bugle Corps outside of school, they loved it, learned a lot and got to travel from New York to Disney World, and lots of places in between.
There is a direct link between music and math abilities, I would definately encourage your kids.
@kelly60 (4546)
• United States
16 Apr 07
My daughter played the trumpet in the highschool band. She was the only one really interested in learning any instruments so they only learned whatever the school made them do.
My boys are now interested in learning to play the guitar. They each have their own now, so even though they won't be getting any formal lessons, hopefully they can learn enough through friends, and online that they can get somewhere with it.
@coolmailraj (2459)
• India
4 Apr 07
Its nice to let him decide which instruement should be played. Actully you should help him in selecting if he asks for. About your elders, all the best.
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