Benefits
- Develops hand-eye coordination better than sports.
- Builds confidence and self-esteem.
- Excellent ear training for pitch.
- Improves memory, intelligence and children’s behavior.
- Increases brain function and mathematical skills.
- Develops discipline, patience, determination and perseverance.
75% of Silicon Valley CEOs had instrumental music education as a child.
Recommended starting age: 6 (8 for viola or 10 for upright bass)
Equipment needed: Violin, viola, upright bass, or cello—renting can be a good option, especially if a smaller instrument is needed for a
smaller, younger student
Practice time: 15-20 minutes per day for beginners, increasing over time to at least an hour per day.
Recommended lesson length:
- Age 6-11, 30 minutes
- Above age 11, 60 minutes
Pricing:
- 30 minute private lesson once each week $120 per month
- 60 minute private lesson once each week $226 per month
The viola is the larger, lower-voiced cousin of the violin (shown side-by-side in this photo). Students are generally not ready to play violin or viola until they are 6 due to the coordination required to play—although, smaller size versions of both are also available for smaller or younger students that have an interest. (ask an associate for a size chart to help you choose the right size instrument for your child).
We recommend age 8 as a great age to start learning cello. Younger students can find the instrument quite uncomfortable to play—even if they can get their arms around one of the smaller instruments that are available—because it requires a fair amount of pressure to hold down the strings. At the right age, however, learning cello can be very satisfying because learning an actual 'song' can happen a bit sooner than with other instruments.
We recommend age 10 as a great age to start learning upright bass. Younger students can find the instrument quite uncomfortable to play—even if they can get their arms around one of the smaller instruments that are available—because it requires a lot of pressure to hold down the strings. At the right age, however, learning bass privately can be necessary to acquire the skills needed to play well in a group setting, like the orchestra.
It takes anywhere from 2–6 months to be able to play a simple song on violin or viola.
All students learn to read music. Teachers will devise a customized curriculum for each student which will incorporate the style of music that the student wants to learn in addition to teaching music theory, history and other appropriate musical skills.