Children's Ukulele Lessons - Ages 5 years old and up

Fall 2011 group lessons: The Ukulele is a wonderful, easy, stringed instrument that's just the perfect size for your child to play.  With beginners group classes starting in the fall (8 weeks).  Your child will be singing a song and strumming the Ukulele the first week of class.  We will introduce some fun, easy songs for your child to learn.  We are also offering parents to learn the ukulele with their child at a reduced rate.  Students must have their own ukuleles (Uke's are a really inexpensive instrument, so a great way to introduce an instrument to your child).  Please email liz@MusicalFolk.com to find out prices and more details.

Children's Group guitar lessons - Ages 7 years old and up

Starting in the fall 2011:  We will offer Group guitar lessons in our New Haven location.  Day/time to be determined, but most likely Monday afternoons.  This will be a beginners class, where your child will learn the anatomy of the guitar, chords, strumming patterns and will be singing some fun songs in just a few weeks.  8 Week semester cost will be $160 for a half hour lesson, plus a one time $20 materials fee.  Student must have their own guitar.  If interested in this class, please call 203.691.9759 or email Liz@MusicalFolk.com.   Please read information below on when your child is ready for instrument lessons.

Adult Group guitar lessons
Liz McNicholl currently teaches group adult guitar lessons.  Lessons include an overview of the guitar, learning how to tune your guitar. We cover the basic chords, and will have you strumming away in no time. After several weeks, we will cover some folk songs. 
Space is limited. If you are interested in finding out more please call Liz at Tel: 203-691-9759 or email Liz@MusicalFolk.com
 
Piano and Voice lessons
Rebecca Geary
Tel: 203-468-9552
e-mail: bcigas@yahoo.com
Private piano or voice lessons taught by Rebecca out of her home or yours.
Please contact Rebecca to discuss lessons and fees.
 
Piano, Voice and percussion lessons
Nik Rocklin
Tel: 513-608-9181
e-mail: nik@nikrocklin.com
Nik Rocklin is offering transitional music/instrument lessons for those children who are not quite ready for formal, instrument-specific lessons. He will focus on ear training and familiarity with percussion. Many instruments including guitar, piano, and voice will be incorporated into the experience, and the child’s interests will be taken into account to customize the lessons for each individual child. Please contact Nik for more information and scheduling.
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At what age should my child start playing an instrument?
There is no hard and fast rule here. While some children can start as early as 3 or 4, many teachers would not encourage it until a child is closer to 5-6. The bottom line is that all children are different and you are the best judge of your own child's degree of readiness. 
There are a few important factors for you to consider. Is your child asking to play something? Is he/she able to sit and focus for about a half an hour?
Do you think they would be able to practice on a regular basis? 

The answer to all of these questions may help you in deciding at what age your child is ready to start. The important thing is to make it fun for them at a young age and not to push too much. If you would like to talk through any of this, talk to your Music Together Teacher.
Regardless of when you decide to begin, the fact that you are bringing your child to an early childhood educational music program on a consistent basis will really help to prepare your child for music lessons giving them a solid musical foundation. We have heard many piano teachers say that they wish all parents would take their children to an early childhood music program such as Music Together to really build the important foundation of music before starting an instrument.

Congratulations to you, as you've already given your child this skill through our classes. May you continue to bring the joy of music into your family life. Being able to play an instrument brings amazing joy to the player and those around them. Besides all the other benefits that they will gain.