[HANASHIR:13517] Re: Learning Instruments

[Joel Shickman <mishpucha...>]

A thought about 'another thought on this subject':

I agree wholeheartedly with Adrian (except for maybe the 'nature' part,
I thought that G-d 'natured' and we 'nurtured').  I, too, spent more
time inside practicing and less time outside playing and wondered 'what
if . . .'

However, to support the other side of the argument, we know
scientifically that musical proficiency is easier to acquire at an early
age.  As we grow older, our neural pathways harden making it more
difficult, though not impossible, to develop new skills.

Everyone has different priorities when raising their children.  I hope
that most of us believe that instilling our kids with the love for
Torah, Avodah and G'milut Chasadim is of utmost importance, but for
myself, I would rank the ability to produce music right up there in my
Top Ten (right now it's number four, but it varies depending on the
day).

My question is the same as what's already been asked: 'when' and 'how
much'.  I imagine the answer falls along the line of my pediatrician's
favorite and well-worn response of, "the parent is the best judge of his
or her child's abilities and limits."  If anyone can point me to studies
or relate some firsthand experience, I am as curious as everyone else.

Joel Shickman
Dallas, Texas

Adrian Durlester wrote:

>  Another thought on this subject:
>
> Let's avoid the temptation to become "soccer moms (or dads)" or "stage
> parents" in the rush to propel our children into musical skills.
> Nurture, yes. Urge, no. I find the "strike while the iron is hot"
> philosophy just a little bit scary when we're talking about such young
> children. Reminds me of pregnant women discussing how to make sure
> their unborn kid gets into the right prep school.
>
> I am grateful that my talent was recognized and natured at a young
> age, but I also recognize what I gave up in my childhood because of
> that. In this day and age, when the pressures on kids are even worse,
> I think we need to be even more cautious about pushing our children to
> learn an instrument. Yes, there are always exceptions-there are those
> rare prodigies, and it would be a shame to not begin to harness that
> natural talent at a very young age. But, as much as parents hate to
> admit it, every child is not a prodigy.
>
> Give your children a sense of rhythm, a sense of what music is and
> what they can do with it. Give them a taste-but don?t force feed them.
>
> Adrian
>
>      -----Original Message-----
>      From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
>      [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org] On Behalf Of
>      Moss5533 (at) aol(dot)com
>      Sent: Monday, February 10, 2003 3:04 PM
>      To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
>      Subject: [HANASHIR:13503] Re: Learning Instruments
>
>      Rosalie,
>
>      As the mother of 4, all interested in music and 2 of whom
>      are music majors, I think the most important thing is to
>      "strike while the iron is hot."  Desire is key.  Once you
>      are sure a true desire is there, if it isn't nurtured, it
>      can wither.  Whatever instrument is decided upon, I'd rent
>      first to be sure the interest lasts before buying.  The
>      advice I heard repeatly through the years is that piano can
>      start when the child can read.  The Suzuki violin method
>      begins some students as young as 3 1/2 (with parents who are
>      willing to practice with them).  Two of my sons sang from
>      the moment they could talk (and seldom stopped).  They began
>      violin in 2nd grade at school and the next year one switched
>      to cello.  I don't remember how old they started piano.
>      (You can rent scaled down instruments even as small as
>      1/8!)  A few of their friends who started strings even
>      younger were ahead of them for many years but the main thing
>      is their desire to play.  I would also have the child make a
>      commitment for a certain length of time since kids interests
>      can be pretty fickle and it takes a lot of practice to
>      achieve results.
>
>      Hope that helps,
>      Fran Moss
>