Teaching preschoolers to play music

April 27th, 2010 | By: Christie Santodomingo

Issaquah music teachers make the transition to formal instruction easy.

Children love music. Fun introductions to singing, dancing, playing rhythm instruments such as maracas and bells, and basic note reading make their way into story times at libraries, local playgroups, and popular music classes offered to newborns up to age 7 at Gymboree Play and Learn, the Musik Nest, and Expressions School of Music in Issaquah. But what is the next step if you want to inspire a child to learn the complicated music theory behind playing an instrument such as the piano or violin? If your young child is asking to play the piano like her cousin or guitar like her dad, or if you think your child might be ready for formal music instruction, you might want to consider one of the music schools in Issaquah that offer specialty programs that teach preschool-age children to play.

When Elizabeth Gue, violin teacher at the Foothills Suzuki Institute, located in the Hammond Ashley Studios in Issaquah, was only 3 years old, she announced to her parents that she wanted to play the violin.

“I saw a 4-year-old boy play ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ on a local Saturday-morning music TV show. My mom tried to expose me to other instruments as well, but I was set on the violin from the beginning,” Gue explains.

With parental support, Gue was enrolled at the Suzuki Institute in Seattle at age 3. Now, with a graduate degree in performance and more than 13 years of Suzuki teaching experience, Gue knows firsthand the benefits of learning music at a young age. “Children develop a longer attention span, become part of a musical community, and play for the love of playing,” she says.

So what is the Suzuki method? Developed more than 50 years ago by Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki, the Suzuki method promotes parent responsibility, loving encouragement, and constant repetition, and is taught to children as young as 3. Children learn to read music once they have mastered the basic techniques and are old enough to read books. Foothills Suzuki Institute offers lessons in the violin, viola, and cello to students of all ages. For more information, visit foothillssuzuki.com.

Kaleidoscope School of Music, on Front Street in Issaquah, boasts 20 music teachers who offer private lessons in piano, guitar, bass, drums, voice, brass, woodwinds, strings, and more, as well as a variety of group programs, such as rock-band classes for students age 9 and up. Kaleidoscope instructor Suzanne Collette offers four options to young children: Suzuki piano, violin, and guitar for children age 3 and up, and “Music for Little Mozarts,” a basic introduction to music, for children ages 4 to 6. With 20 years of music teaching experience, Collette says the secrets to inspiring children to pursue music are “lots of exposure and to make it fun!” She uses puppets to teach correct posture and games to teach musical notation. Lessons have private and group instruction components and offer lots of opportunities for parent and peer involvement. For more information, visit issaquahlessons.com.

Puget Sounds Piano Studio, on Front Street in Issaquah, offers private and group lessons in classic and jazz piano, as well as the Preschool Piano Program. Shannon Keeler, owner for more than 10 years, and the mother of a 4-year-old and a newborn, understands how to motivate young children to play music.

“Children feel a sense of pride when they can play songs they are familiar with, like ‘Old McDonald.’ When they have lots of success early on, they are more likely to stick to playing,” says Keeler. That is why she created her own curriculum utilizing the color method. Children begin playing familiar songs by matching colored notes to a color bar placed across the piano.

Gradually, traditional notation replaces the colorful pre-notation. All four levels of the Preschool Piano Program are for small groups of three to five students and include singing, listening, and movement; working with rhythm instruments; and playing the piano. Parents are encouraged to attend and participate. For more information, visit pugetsoundspianostudio.com.

Chopin Academy of Music, in Issaquah, offers music lessons to children whose families are ready for a serious commitment to music education. Dr. Ivona Kaminska, co-owner of the Chopin Academy, says they “cater to those who are serious and ambitious in searching for a high-quality education, who are interested in winning local and international competitions and festivals.”

The Chopin Academy begins with an interview to determine if parents and child (age 4 or 5) are ready to commit to lessons in classical piano or violin. Once accepted, the child and a parent are expected to attend lessons once or twice per week. The parent takes notes that are used to ensure the child practices correctly at home for 15 to 30 minutes per day. All lessons are taught by instructors who have music degrees in the instrument they teach.

“The correct technical start is crucial to quick success in the world of music. One of our students was the youngest winner of the Seattle International Piano Competition: she was only 7 years old. There is no time for wasting if there is a talent! This is what makes the Chopin Academy,” Kaminska says.

Although it takes music seriously, the Chopin Academy also provides fun group classes, piano parties, and concerts for little ones, often in very prestigious concert halls. For more information, visit chopinacademy.com.

If you are looking for convenience, Virtuoso Music teachers offer private in-home lessons on piano, voice, guitar, and all the major band and orchestral instruments. Students are encouraged to participate in performance opportunities, including community-service opportunities and recitals. Children as young as 3 can take violin lessons, and piano lessons are offered for children 5 and up.

Brent Elkins, owner of Virtuoso Music, says the key to encouraging a young child in music is “exposure, exposure, exposure. The best way for children to get excited about music is to hear it and see it. Having them see interest and excitement in parents helps tremendously too.” For more information, visit virtuosomusic.com.

Whether your young child is interested in learning piano, violin, or guitar, you can find local music teachers who are eager to share their passion and expertise. Music programs geared toward preschoolers help make the transition from early intro to music classes to more formal instruction fun. For a list of local music schools and instrument stores, please see our complete online music directory.