Instrumental Tuition

How do I know if my child is ready to learn an instrument?

Lots of you get very excited when your child indicates a strong interest
in a particular instrument and enjoys producing sounds from it. They may not however be ready for private study. The following is a list of requirements. Please feel free to us them as a checklist or guide.

1) A child must be ready to accept the rules, guidelines and suggestions of
the teacher. Will your child still be interested and not frustrated if asked to
play in a certain way?

2) Each week your child must be able to focus on a series of tasks left by
the teacher for him / her to do. Will he / she do them?

3) Successful learning requires motivation. A child with a strong foundation
in movement, vocal development and listening is more likely to be successful
and remain motivated than a child without.

AND SOME NEVERS...

NEVER coerce your child into learning because you didn't get the chance. We
will teach you instead.

NEVER force your child to learn a particular instrument because it will help him / her to get into a high school. The basis of all successful learning is interest and enjoyment.

Consultation and Initial Assessment

Prior to lessons commencing it is advisable to book
a consultation. Your teacher will spend some time alone
with your child finding out their learning style, interests
and knowledge. There is a multitude of books and teaching
methods on the market and your teacher will help you find the ones
most suitable for your child.

The teacher will also spend time listening and
understanding your desires for your child's lessons e.g. you
may like them to try for grades, you may think a method of teaching
which incorporates lots of singing to be suitable. All of this can be
discussed using the school's 'New Client Sheet' so that a suitable course of
learning can be devised.

This is not an unnecessary expense...too often young children start to learn when they are not ready or with the wrong kind of teacher. This assessment will help to make sure this does not happen. Remember we have been working with children for 20 years and we want them to succeed.

Initial trial period

The first 5 lessons are a trial period for both parties. Either side can decide to go no further once these first 5 weeks are completed and no explanation or prior warning has to be provided.

Payment and Cancellation

Payment happens via invoice, in advance, twice per term; once at the beginning and once again after 1/2 term. One half term's notice or the monetary equivilent
must be given before stopping lessons. Payment can be made by cash, cheque or internet banking. A receipt will be issued upon request.

Home practise

Please don't expect your child to sit down everyday and do 30 minutes practise. Little and often works much better; say 10 minutes, 5 times a week to begin with.

Showing an interest in your child's learning will contribute greatly to their progress. Praising your child when they obviously are proud of something they've achieved even if it sounded dreadful to you is the positive response they need to spur them on.

Please do expect there to be peaks and troughs with your child's relationship with their instrument. There will be periods of playing 1 piece 10 times a day to everyone including the postman and then there will be other times when your child may seem to treat their instrument as his / her worst enemy.

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Individual policies are drawn up for tuition in schools.

To book instrumental tuition please contact Ali using the contact page