The musical instrument is usually chosen between seven and eight years, and it is important to satisfy children’s desires and inclinations
There are many children who approach the study of a musical instrument every year: making a correct choice is also important for the purpose of a satisfactory evolution of the didactic path. We always remember that In many languages “play” And “play” they are the same word (play, Jouer, Spielen…). The “ideal” musical education provides for a preparatory approach to singing and rhythmic movement in the early years of life, to get to the choice of a tool in principle towards seven/eight years of age (in this article by the neurobiologist Alberto Oliverio we talk instead of the advantages of music in childhood).
Of course there is no equal rule for everyone and it is up to parents to check inclinations e indulge the musical desires of their childrenwithout preclusions. There are children who are already very young manifest a predilection for a specific tool, others who perhaps already have a piano or guitar at home and have tried in some way to play them, or a older brother or a friend who are already studying music and invite them to try.
The more musical instruments a child has had the opportunity to bring closer, the more his choice will be correct. It must also be taken into account that the relationship with one’s own tool as an object will be an important resource in the musical and evolutionary history of the child; Over time we will become attached, he will often bring him with him, he will have to learn to take care of it and to be responsible for it, to feel him familiar and to know him perfectly in all his parts. Fortunately, many music schools organize open days when teachers allow you to experience a guided approach to the different modalities of sound production, in order to verify the real possibilities and predispositions of each child. In orient themselves Practical and concrete elements must also be evaluated, such as the size of an instrument, handling and costs to be incurred. They are important considerations that parents must make, once decided to have their children study music.
The most loved: the piano
The piano is always the most requested tool: It is an easy -to -initial tool tool (the production of sound is immediate, unlike a violin or a transverse flute), it gives way to see the notes on the keyboard and to facilitate the complex cognitive operation of the control of the movements and reading of the pentagram. It should be specified that the piano is a fixed intonation tool with a static position, the student is always sitting and space – even visual and relational – is limited. So it is essential that the teacher is very prepared: he will have to teach correct breathing, a flexible posture and develop the perception and recognition of different sounds.
For this reason, the Arch toolsso frustrating at the beginning, instead they prove to be precious: they build effectively what the musicians call “The internal ear”, that is, the essential ability to recognize the relationships between the different sounds. A myth to dispel is that of the ear: it is clear that the talent and individual predisposition exist, but alone they are not enough: learning to play well a tool is a process of continuous acquisition of skills, improvement and aging of sound perception and yes, you also learn to “have ear”.
The benefits of wind instruments
Particular attention deserve breath, especially for those children they often have respiratory problemswhich lead Orthodontic appliances corrective or they have difficulty in language and in the focus. These conditions benefit very much of the study of a breath, precisely for the possibility of regulate breathing, the fine motility of the mouth and muscle relaxation. Of course, it is essential that the teacher has adequate training and that he constantly pays his update, educational, scientific-formative and relational path.
The good relationship of the teacher with the child and his parents is the basis of any success in the field of musical education and instrumental practice. The teacher is also up to the teacher the task of informing the parents of the progress of the student and the musical educational project: not all children will become professional musicians but all must have the opportunity to acquire a good training that allows them to take advantage of the great cognitive and creative resources of music. A well -made music course is a Gift for life.
Short catalog of musical instruments
The piano is the best known tool, the most complete from the harmonious point of view And what allows you to produce precise sounds already from the first lessons. You can start very small, even at three/four years, being careful to maintain the playful aspect of learning and treat posture and breathing to avoid muscle tension given by the static position.
Arco tools They are a large family: the best known are violin, purple, cello and double bass. Require good control and independence of the arms that make different movements. Some didactic methods (such as Kodaly and Suzuki) allow a correct approach to very young children, but generally at least expects the beginning of the elementary school.
Breath: there are many divided into wood (sweet flute and traverse, oboe, clarinet, sax, bundle) and brass (trumpet, trombone, tuba, horn). Apart from the sweet flute which can also start at six/seven years, The others require the appearance of the final teething and a certain body weight to allow respiratory exercises. They are an excellent training for the functions connected to the mouth and breathing.
Non -European traditional tools, such as percussionconsist of a number of practically unlimited types: Usually in schools the battery from eight/nine years is studied, but each child has been “experiments” on percussions since he is very small. It is an excellent course of study for regulate energy and aggression and to work on coordination.
Pinched ropes tools: The most famous is the guitar, which all the boys, sooner or later, try to play. Is a tool more complex than it is believed. We always start around seven/eight years, but you can also start from older ones, especially from teenagers, and also learn electric guitar or bass. The classic harp and the Celtic harp are demanding but of great sound beauty.
