It seems to me that more money is given to schools for computers and gym equipment than art supplies and musical instruments. I realize we need to keep our children fit and exercise is of the outmost importance, but couldn't we get kids to play outside after school and save everyone loads of money on school equipment?
Physical activity is accessible through community centres, parks and backyards, for free, but we still pay extra taxes to have bigger gyms and more fitness equipment in schools.
Bands in schools need to raise funds to even get instruments to play on. Parents have to rent instruments at a cost if none are available through the school. If kids want to play in a competition, fund raisers are put in place and parents fork out more money to cover the costs. I have been known to write cheques for hundreds of dollars for my child to play in a national competition with her high school band. Some families just can't afford these activities.
For those who have the budget, music lessons are a great way to get children involved in the arts. Most schools simply cannot give a child the resources to see him past very basic rudiments on an instrument. The irony is that most kids WILL benefit from playing a musical instrument.
Study after study have proven that kids who play an instrument at school will see better grades, higher self-esteem and lower drop-out rates. Governments just don't seem to see the correlation between art dollars and students' successes.
So onto the subject at hand, cost of music lessons. I would like to address the gift you are giving your child before we put a dollar sign on it.
Self-esteem
Pride
Discipline
Work ethics
Eye hand coordination skills
Brain development of the highest order
Learning the read another language (music)
A communication device that transcends words
World history (through composers and music eras)
World culture
I will stop there because I will run out of space. Music is, to me, one of the greatest gifts you can give your child. That being said, for a proper music education, you will most probably have to pay. The odds are, your school will not have all the support your child will need. Of course, by the time your child is a teen, you can choose to send him or her to a specialized high school with a great music program. Still, you may need to supplement an ambitious child's learning with private lessons.
When you choose your child's teacher, important decisions will have to be made. Budget is certainly one of them. Location of lessons (at your home, in a private studio or an academy) and schedules will also be priority. Funny enough, lots of parents will take into account these aspects but never actually ask about the teacher's credentials. I see it everyday. There is an assumption that all teachers are created equal, if not in attitude and personality than certainly in training. NOT TRUE!
I have had the unfortunate experience of finding out that one of my students (an intermediate level student), was teaching at a neighbourhood music school. Not only was she teaching, but she was teaching voice, for which she had no training. She was a pianist! Having this girl as your child's teacher would be a waste of your money. Something might be learned, but perhaps not.
You must ask for qualifications. There are no governing bodies to protect parents from charlatans when it comes to the quality of music lessons. Anyone can set up shop. Whether in a private home, or a neighbourhood studio, questions must be asked.
If you are lucky, you will find a teacher that is associated to different groups that require a certain level of training. In Canada, we have the Teachers Music Association that requires a university degree in music. You can also check if your potential teacher has sent students to exams through conservatories. Asking for references is also a good idea. We are talking about someone who will potentially become important to your child so being picky is a good thing.
Depending on your child's goals in music, all of the above will have different degrees of importance when deciding which teacher to go with. Meeting the teacher is vital. At out Academy, we match the student to the teacher we feel will be the best fit. Styles of teaching can vary.
Teachers who can take children to different levels of competition (if that is of interest) will usually have a stronger academic background. Teachers who incorporate music theory, history and composition will also usually have more experience. A teacher who offers performance opportunities and encourages goal setting can be motivating. Being able to prepare students for examinations is also a good sign that your teacher is qualified.
Beware of the teacher who doesn't ask if your child has an instrument to practice on! Beware of the teacher who doesn't suggest books to purchase. Beware of the teacher who hands out photocopies and only photocopies. Beware of the teacher who cancels at the last minute, all the time. After a few lessons, watch your child's reaction before lesson time. Are they eager or anxious? Anxiety because they did not practice doesn't count. I mean, anxiety about having to spend time with the teacher. Is your child super charged after the lesson? Talkative, excited? Are you made to feel welcomed in the lesson?
So now to the cost o
f music lessons. I can honestly say, music lessons are not anywhere near the top of the list when it comes to expensive extra-curricular activities. But as for value for your dollar, it may just be the most cost effective activity out there.
Take for example my family and figure skating. My youngest skates. Every time she wants to practice, I have to pay. I pay for the ice time and the coaching. She skates 5 times a week. She has a hand full of coaches who all charge by the minute. When she competes I need to get her a special dress. I pay the seamstress. I pay for the coach's time at the competition (travel included). When her feet grow, I need to buy her skates. Oh, the blades are not included! Gotta get those too. She needs special clothes to practice, the ice is cold. All this can be applied to hockey, gymnastics, dance...
You need to drive your child to each and every session. We are talking time and gas. Your child can only fully develop at these activities when they are outside the home.
Now let's compare piano lessons. You drive your child once a week (perhaps twice if you have a child that is more advanced). You only pay for the teacher's time. Not for the space. That's included. Your child can go to the lesson in the same outfit they wore at school. They can practice for free, at home, anytime. You may choose to buy a new outfit for a recital, but it's not mandatory.
You will need to provide your child with an instrument. This is a one time cost if you buy a piano. For violin or guitar, you will need to rent or buy a smaller size instrument and as your child grows, you will change sizes till you get to adult size. Rentals are an affordable way to go. For under $20.00 a month you can rent just about any instrument. You can also trade instruments.
You will need to purchase books. Think of these as a literary legacy your child will be able to enjoy and pass on to his or her children.
Where I live, music lessons will vary in price from $15.00 to $30.00 for a half-hour. Master classes can be pricier. Let's say you get a teacher for $25.00 per half-hour. At 4 lessons a month, you are talking about $1,000 in lessons for the school year, give or take. Now let's say your child practices an hour a day, 5 days a week. That's 200 hours a year. Look at practice time as an investment in the cost of lessons. So at 200 hours a year of practice, divided by the cost of lessons, the practice time costs $5.00 an hour. I don't know of many extra-curricular activities that cost you $5.00 per hour. And this includes the teacher's time!
Don't assume that if you pay more for the lessons, you will have a better teacher. You must do your research, ask friends, get references. The quality of the lesson is really all that matters. Your child must be engaged, motivated and excited about learning. They must want to practice, at least sometimes!
In our society, music lessons are not particularly expensive. You may be spending more a week on coffee than on lessons. The beauty of music though is that the gift lasts forever. Your child may not ever dance past his or her teen years, but they may very well still pick up the guitar.
So, giving the gift of music lessons to your child is...priceless! In the right teacher's hands, your child can develop a passion that will last his or her life time.
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