These 5 guidelines will help you to have a successful, rewarding experience learning an instrument. These are practical tips that we have discovered from years of teaching and our experienced with teaching hundreds of students each year.


Adults can start any instrument at any time. Their success is based on how willing they are to commit to practicing. We teach many beginning adult students from their 20's through 80's.


3-4 Years Old

If a preschooler has a keen desire and wants to start music, a group preschool music class will give them a good foundation in music basics which will be helpful in later private lessons. At this age, private lessons generally do not work as the child has not yet experienced the formal learning environment of kindergarten or school and learns more effectively through the game oriented preschool environment.  Do keep in mind that a group class may mor may not be available at the time of inquiry, so be sure to contact us for more information.  We would be more than happy to strat a group music class if a need is presented!


At our studio 5 years old is the youngest age that we start children in private piano lessons. At this age they have begun to develop longer attention spans and can retain material more easily.

Guitar - Acoustic, Electric and Bass


Voice Lessons

10 years old is recommended as the youngest age for private vocal lessons. Due to the physical nature of voice lessons (proper breathing techniques, development of the vocal chords and lung capacity), the younger body is generally not yet ready for the rigors of vocal technique. For children younger than 10, we have a children's choir (ages 6-9) that teaches them how to use their voices properly, in a fun, relaxed environment.


The average age of your youngest drum student is 8. This varies greatly depending on the size of the child. They have to be able to reach both the pedals and the cymbals.

Flute, Clarinet & Saxophone


Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone & Tuba

The brass instrument requires physical exertion and lung power. 9 years and older is a good time to start a brass instrument.

Violin, Viola & Cello

We accept violin students from the age of 5. Some teachers will start children as young as 3, but experience has shown us the most productive learning occurs when the beginner is 5 or older. For cello, the student has to be large enough to handle the instrument. Usually age 8 and up.

2. Insist on Private Lessons When Learning a Specific Instrument

Group classes work well for preschool music programs, intermediate supplementary ensembles, and theory lessons. However, when actually learning how to play an instrument, private lessons are far superior.  In private lessons, it is hard to miss anything, and each student can learn at their own pace. This means the teacher does not have to teach a class, and he or she has the time and focus to work on the individual student's strengths and weaknesses. For that lesson period, the student is the primary focus of the teacher. The teachers also enjoy this as they do not have to divide their attention between 5-10 students at a time and can help the student be the best they can be.

3. Take Lessons in a Professional Teaching Environment

Learning music is not just a matter of having a qualified teacher, but also having an environment that is focused on music education. In a professional studio environment a student cannot be distracted by TV, pets, ringing phones, siblings or anything else. With only 1/2 to one hour of lessons time per week, a professional studio environment can produce better results since the only focus at that time is learning music. Students in a studio environment are also motivated by hearing peers who are at different levels and by being exposed to a variety of musical instruments. In a music studio, the lessons are not just a hobby or sideline for the teacher but a responsibility which is taken very seriously.

4. Make Practicing Easier





This works very well for both children and adult students. Some adults reward themselves with a cappuccino after a successful week of practicing. Parents can encourage children to practice by granting them occasional rewards for successful practicing. At our studio we reward young children for a successful week of practicing with stars and stickers on their work. Praise tends to be the most coveted award, there just is no substitute for a pat on the back for a job well done. Sometimes we all have a week with little practicing, in that case there is always next week.

5. Use Recognized Teaching Materials

There are some excellent materials developed by professional music educators that are made for students in a variety of situations. For example, in piano there are books for very young beginners, and books for adult students that have never played before. There are books that can start you at a level you are comfortable with. These materials have been researched and are continually upgraded and improved to make learning easier. These materials ensure that no important part of learning the instrument can inadvertently be left out. If you ever have to move to a different part of the county, qualified teachers and institutions will recognize the materials and be able to smoothly continue from where the previous teacher left off.

HAVE FUN!! Music should be something that you enjoy for a lifetime. So, try not to put unrealistic expectations on yourself or you children to learn too quickly. Everyone learns at a different pace and the key is to be able to enjoy the journey.