When is the Best Time to Begin Flute Lessons

There is a great deal of debate concerning when the best time is to take up a musical instrument – will you learn better as a young child? Or will adulthood help you to become a better player? It is definitely useful to know the reasoning behind these arguments before you begin your flute lessons but you shouldn’t let it distract you from your learning; every age will bring a different perspective and benefit to their lessons.

 

Motivation

First and foremost, what is your motivation for taking up the flute? Or if you are a parent, why do you want your child to start music lessons? If you intend to attempt grade examinations, it is always beneficial to start young. Children have the benefit of youth which often means they’ll start their lessons confidently and be more open to learning new skills. It’s often harder for adults to take quite as naturally to their instruments as they tend to bring more baggage to their lessons – i.e. the fear of failing in a new discipline or bad memories of past exams. The fact that children tend to have more confidence in their playing, at least when they are starting out, should mean that they will cope well with the pressure and expectations of grade exams.

 

Commitment

Committing to practising and looking after your instrument are incredibly important if you want to progress in your learning and make the most of your flute lessons. This is where being an adult tends to have the advantage over being a child – as an adult, you will have chosen to begin your lessons and so will presumably be committed to your practise and progression with the flute. When it comes to children, often they will just be undertaking lessons because their parents want them to learn an instrument, rather than having a real desire to learn themselves. As such, it can be difficult to encourage them to practise and look after their flute which could mean that their mastery of the instrument takes much longer than it would take a committed adult.

 

The importance of teaching

As ever, it is imperative that you choose the right teacher who will bring out the best in you, whatever your circumstances. If you’re a parent looking for the right teacher for your child, it’s a great idea to research teachers who particularly specialise in teaching children. They’ll be able to work together well and the teacher will encourage your child to practise even if they’re usually disinterested. Similarly, if you’re an adult looking to partake in lessons which are a bit more relaxed than the lessons of someone hoping to get ahead in their grades would be, you’ll find plenty of teachers who are happy to cater to your style. Some teachers offer a trial lesson to ensure that you’ll work well together and this is an excellent opportunity that you should take advantage of.

Whatever age you are, if you are passionate about learning, it will always be a good time to start your flute lessons. Both young and old are able to bring something unique to their learning and, as long as you have a good teacher, you’ll be able to enjoy and progress a long way in your flute playing.

Do not hesitate based on just your age. Your decision on whether or not to take up flute lessons should mainly be due to your love of music and this remarkably easy to learn instrument. Do your research and ask around for the best teacher. Whatever you decide, you are sure to harness a lot of benefits from taking music lessons.