Curious Parents Class Resources

Brought to you by the Web's most popular destination for inspired parenting.

sponsored by

 

Learn to Play – the European Way!

By Suzanne Kaufman

Piano lessons: You and a teacher, alone in a room, while you pounded your way through Beethoven. The clock ticked. Your Mom waited outside. All you wanted to do was go play with your friends.

Sound familiar? In America, this scene has played millions of times for generations. Private piano lessons were a privilege for some, a fact of life for others. You endured your lessons because your Mom said that someday you would appreciate them. And she was right. Now you tell your children the same thing as they argue with you about the piano lessons that keep them from playing with their friends. Is there any other way?

Yes! In Europe, private piano lessons are the exception to the rule. In Europe, kids do play with their friends. Kids play piano, and guitar, violin and many other instruments, all in group music lessons. They sing in group lessons. They enjoy lessons together. They share in friendly competition. They help each other succeed. And sometimes, Mom doesn’t have to wait outside during the lesson. Sometimes she’s in class, too. Some families even take lessons together!

World-renowned flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal taught at the prestigious Paris Conservatory. In an interview with Pilar Estevan, Rampal said, “In France, we have a different way of teaching – in France, we teach a master class of just 16 pupils, maximum. They play for each other, and they listen to each other. I believe this is the only way to teach.” Rampal, like other European music instructors, believes that musicians thrive in groups – not just for performing, but for learning, as well. Now the concept is being adopted by some American music educators, who see the value in group music lessons.

“Music doesn’t have to be an isolating experience,” says Michael Kaufman, a lifelong music teacher and owner/director of The Music Garden, a private music school in Cherry Hill , New Jersey . “Many kids dread music lessons because it’s time away from their peers. Group lessons make it possible for friends to take piano or guitar lessons together, yet advance at their own pace. And when kids learn together, they’re more inclined to practice and play together outside of music class. Instead of hating piano lessons, they learn how much fun making music can be.”

Besides the fun factor, group lessons have other advantages, too. Because the cost of an instructor can be split among the class, group lessons often cost up to 60 percent less than a traditional private lesson. Friends, or siblings of different ages, can take lessons together, saving commuting and scheduling time. And for families, learning an instrument together is a great way to spend quality time.

Some schools offer special group piano programs for children ages 4-6 years old. These classes are especially fun for young children, placing them in a friend- and fun-filled, supportive classroom environment at an age when many children are most eager to learn.

Since The Music Garden opened in September 2002, the response to its group lessons in piano, flute, violin, guitar and voice has been very positive. Parents who are surprised by the idea at first instantly come around when they see how children enjoy going to lessons. This summer, The Music Garden will introduce group music lessons to day camp at its Summer Fun Music Academy .

To learn more about group music lessons or 2-week, full-day summer camp sessions at The Music Garden, call 856-424-0990 or visit their website at www.themusicgarden.com.

Suzanne Kaufman owns and directs The Music Garden with her husband, Michael. The Music Garden is located at Village Walk, 1990 Rt. 70 East, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 . Email her at suzannekaufman997@msn.com.