These guidelines will help you have a successful, rewarding experience learning an instrument. These are practical tips that we have discovered from years of teaching and our experience with teaching hundreds of students.

1. HOW YOUNG IS TOO YOUNG - STARTING AT THE RIGHT AGE
   
   Adults can start any instrument at any time. Their success is based on how willing an adult is to commit to practicing. We have had beginner students in their 60’s and 70’s.
   
   For children, starting at the right age is a key element to the success of their lessons. Some people will tell you “the sooner the better” but this attitude can actually backfire and be a negative. If a child is put into lessons too soon they may feel overwhelmed and frustrated and want to stop lessons. The last thing you want to do is turn a child off music just because they had one unpleasant experience which could have been prevented. Sometimes if the child waits a year to start lessons their progress can be much faster. Children who are older than the suggested earliest starting age usually do very well. The following are guidelines we have found to be successful in determining how young a child can start taking music lessons.  
   Piano
   At our school 4-5 years old is the youngest age that we start children in private piano lessons. At this age they have begun to develop longer attention spans and can retain material with ease.
   Guitar - Acoustic, Electric and Bass
   Age 7 or 8 used to be the earliest age to begin guitar lessons, but now many can start at a much earlier age such as 5 with child-size guitars.  At this age, the parent's supervision is vital to progress.  Bass guitar students generally are 10 years old and older.
   Voice Lessons 
   5-6 years old is the youngest age recommended for private vocal lessons.  Several important aspects of singing can be taught at this age even though full vocal technique would not necessarily begin until age 10.  Due to the physical nature of voice lessons (proper breathing techniques, development of the vocal chords and lung capacity), the younger body is generally not yet ready for the rigors of complete vocal technique.  Yet, very important elements of singing such as melody, pitch and rhythm can be taught at 5 or 6.
   Percussion
   Drum/percussion lessons can start as young as age 3. This varies depending on the size and attention span of the child. 
   Flute, Clarinet & Saxophone
   Due to lung capacity (and in the case of the saxophone the size of the instrument), we recommend that most woodwind beginners start at 9 or older with the exception of flute which can be started at as early as 6.
   Violin
   We accept violin students from the age of 4 or 5. Some teachers will start children as young as 3, but experience has shown us the most productive learning occurs when the beginner is 4, 5 or older.
   Trumpet
   The trumpet requires physical exertion and lung power. 9 years and older is a good time to start the trumpet.
   
   
2. INSIST ON PRIVATE LESSONS WHEN LEARNING A SPECIFIC INSTRUMENT WITH A TEACHER WHO HAS A UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN PERFORMANCE
   
   Group classes work well for pre-school music programs and theory lessons. However, when actually learning how to play an instrument, private lessons are far superior since in private lessons it is hard to miss anything, and each student can learn at his own pace. This means the teacher does not have to teach a class at a middle-of-the-road level, but has the time and focus to work on the individual student’s strengths and weaknesses. For that lesson period, the student is the primary focus of the teacher. Teachers also enjoy this as they do not have to divide their attention between 5 - 10 students at a time and can help the student be the best he can be.  Studying with a teacher who has  university training in performance is very important in establishing good fundamentals.  A bad habit that goes undetected can easily be detrimental and impede the progress and satisfaction of playing.  It is not uncommon to hear of students who have spent thousands of dollars at a music store and years learning to play with a bad habit and didn't know it.  These habits often take years to correct.  Teachers with a performance education are often accomplished professionals themselves and are aware of less known yet very important techniques needed in order to play with ease and faster improvement.  It is at the university where these "secrets" are learned, but often these important techniques can be learned in the first 3-4 years of lessons, a critical time in a student's education. 
   
   
3. TAKE LESSONS IN A PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ENVIRONMENT
   
   Learning music is not just a matter of having a qualified teacher, but also having an environment that is focused on music education. In a professional school environment a student cannot be distracted by t.v., pets, ringing phones, siblings or anything else. With only 1/2 to one hour of lesson time per week, a professional school environment can produce better results since the only focus at that time is learning music. Students in a school environment are also motivated by hearing peers who are at different levels and by being exposed to a variety of musical instruments. In a music school, the lessons are not just a hobby or sideline for the teacher but a responsibility which is taken very seriously.
   
   
4. MAKE PRACTICING EASIER
   
   As with anything, improving in music takes practice. One of the main problems with music lessons is the drudgery of practicing and the conflict between parents and students to practice every day.
   Here are some ways to make practicing easier:
   Time
   Set the same time every day to practice so it becomes part of a routine or habit. This works particularly well for children. Generally the earlier in the day the practicing can occur, the less reminding is required by parents to get the child to practice.
   Repetition
   We use this method quite often when setting practice schedules for beginners. For a young child 20 or 30 minutes seems like an eternity. Instead of setting a time frame, we use repetition. For example, practice this piece or "spot" 4 times every day, and this scale 5 times a day. The child then does not pay attention to the amount of time they are practicing their instrument, but knows if they are on repetition number 3 they are almost finished.  Repetition of correct playing is the key to success. 
   Rewards
   This works very well for both children and adult students. Some adults reward themselves with a cappuccino after a successful week of practicing. Parents can encourage children to practice by granting them occasional rewards for successful practicing. In our school we reward young children for a successful week of practicing with stars and stickers on their work. Praise tends to be the most coveted award - there just is no substitute for a pat on the back for a job well done. Sometimes we all have a week with little practicing, in that case there is always next week.
   
   
5. USE RECOGNIZED TEACHING MATERIALS
   
   There are some excellent materials developed by professional music educators that are made for students in a variety of situations. For example in piano, there are books for very young beginners, and books for adult students that have never played before. There are books that can start you at a level you are comfortable with. These materials have been researched and are continually upgraded and improved to make learning easier. These materials ensure that no important part of learning the instrument can inadvertently be left out. If you ever have to move to a different part of the country, qualified teachers and institutions will recognize the materials and be able to smoothly continue from where the previous teacher left off.
   
   HAVE FUN!!
   
   Music should be something that you enjoy for a lifetime. So, try not to put unrealistic expectations on yourself or your children to learn too quickly. Everyone learns at a different pace and the key is to be able to enjoy the journey.