Music lessons are a sure way of your child achieving confidence, concentration and math ability. One of the best ways to begin is by playing the piano. However, it can be a little frustrating if your child is not quite ready. Listed below are five questions which should be asked before beginning piano lessons.

1. What age is your child?

Although it is not always down to the age of your child as to whether they are ready for piano lessons, a majority of children are at a suitable age to begin piano lessons between the age of five and seven. There are those children that are ready from as young as three years old, and there are those that should wait until they are eight years old.

Even if your child meets all of the relevant criteria but remain to be young, they can begin piano lessons.

2. How Long Is Your Child’s Attention Span?

It is essential that your child has a good attention span as they will need to have the ability to sit and pay attention for approximately half an hour for the lesson. Aside from this, the child will also need to practice for a minimum of 15 minutes every day.

If your child can patiently sit for approximately 20 minutes and read a book or color, then they are most probably ready to begin piano lessons. However, if your child can not sit still and pay attention to anything for any length of time then it is advised to wait a little longer. Once your child is in the first grade at school, then they will certainly have a long enough attention span for piano lessons.

3. Does Your Child Play One Note at a Time On the Piano?

Children will more often than not simply pound piano keys, when playing for the first time, or they will play many notes at one time. However, as they develop control, it will be possible for them to play one note at a time.

It will be possible for a child to play one note at a time as they develop the art of writing. However, your child can begin piano lessons if they start to play one note at a time on the piano before they have the ability to write.

4. Does Your Child Recognize Letters and Numbers?

It is essential that your child knows the difference between their left and right hand, the number 1 to 5 and the letters A to G before beginning piano lessons.

Your child will learn these skills very quickly once they are attending kindergarten. If your child recognizes these letters and numbers before kindergarten, then you may begin with piano lessons.

5. Does Your Child Have an Interest in Music?

It is possible that your child is ready for a more formal music instruction, if they are constantly playing the piano, banging on pots and pans or dancing to music. Weekly piano lessons need to be undertaken, therefore it is essential that the child is interested enough in music in order to continue with the lessons.

If your child does not show an interest in music, but appears to be ready in every other way, then it may be better to wait until they are a little older before beginning piano lessons.

Therefore, if your child recognizes letters and numbers and is interested in music, can sit for the 30 minute lessons and is playing individual notes on the piano, then your child is ready to proceed with piano lessons regardless of age.

A majority of children are ready for piano lessons during their first grade. However, if you think that your child is not yet ready for the lessons, for whatever reason, then it is recommended to wait a while longer.

About the Author: Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of MusicianHome.com, a site that provides information and articles for musicians at all stages of their development.
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Katherine Jenkins is an award winning Welsh mezzo-soprano. First British classical artist to have two number one albums in a single year, Katherine is also the first female artist to have received two Classical BRIT Awards consecutively. The 1980 born artist has released four number one albums uptil now and the fifth one Rejoice is slated to be released in November, 2007.

Her singing stint began when she joined a church as a choir girl. She achieved grade 8 distinctions in singing and piano and her music talents continued to progress from there on. As a member of the Royal School of Church Music Cathedral Singers, Katherine achieved the St Cecilia Award, and also became a member of the National Youth Choir of Wales for three years. Prior to being signed by Universal, she even taught music to children.

She signed the largest record deal in the history of UK, reportedly worth £1 million, in 2004 when she was just twenty three years old. Premier was her bebut album and it remained at the top of the classical charts for a period of 8 weeks. Her second album Second Nature made her the first British classical artist to have two number one albums in a single year. The isteners of classic FM voted her second album as the Album of the Year in the Classical Brit Awards 2005. She performed the Home Nations anthem “The Power of Four” and was the first person to do so.

Her appearances before rugby union matches are well known and at present she is the official mascot for the Wales rugby team. Her third album Living A Dream which was released in 2005, and in November 2005 was released her fourth album, Serenade.

Eighty-third richest young person in Britain, Katherine Jenkins is estimated to have sold about 2 million records since her debut in 2004.

About the Author: Jacob Marshal, a dedicated writer of Rupizcompare.co.uk which provide Info on Rejoic Music and Music Store
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Classic Music is a term used to refer to a wide range of music that is produced in or rooted in the traditions of Western art, ecclesiastical and concert music. It has been spanning the ages from the 9th century to the present time. Classical music is still played by many of today’s artist and reaches a select group of individuals. The term “classical music” was coined during the 19th Century as an attempt to identify the period from Johann Sebastian Bach to Ludwig van Beethoven which was considered as the “Golden Age” of Classical Music. It was during 1863 that the term classical music was recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary.
One of the main characteristics that distinguish Classical Music from Popular Music is the choice of instrumentation. The instruments used to play classical music were invented before the middle of the 19th Century. The instruments used were the same as those found in an Orchestra, with a few added solo instruments like the Piano, Harpsichord and the Organ.
A few modern electronic instruments have found their way into contemporary Classic Music during the current and last century. In Medieval Times, musical instruments were divided into two categories: Loud and Soft. Louder instruments were used outdoors and in church while Softer toned instruments were used to play music indoors. Classical works often display a certain degree of complexity through the use of development, modulation, variation rather than exact repetition (as seen in Popular Music), Counter point, polyphony and sophisticated harmonies.
Public adoration for classical music has dropped since the 1900s, most particularly in more developed countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. Classical music has taken a back seat behind popular forms of music like: jazz, pop, rock, rap, and many more. Despite the drop in popularity, parents can be seen sending their children to learn Classical Music at a young age in order to incorporate a sense of discipline that is supposedly learned when playing classical music.
Attempts by Classical artist to get their craft to reach a broader audience have seen collaborations between Classical Singers and Pop Music. Notable with this is the work of the late Pavarotti who sang pop songs alongside their artist. In Popular culture, we are able to find classical music along with everyday thing: From movie soundtracks and young Classically trained artists like Josh Groban and Charlotte Church to the smaller things like the music in a music box and TV commercials.

About the Author: Classic Music
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