Questions and Answers

Q. What age should my child begin learning an instrument?

A. Often this depends on the maturity of the child. Most parents wait until their child

is settled in school before beginning another commitment, however studies have proven that

an early involvement (as early as the age of three) in music helps to develop many areas

of learning such as kinaesthetic abilities, problems solving, coordination and logical thinking.

Q. When is someone too old to begin learning an instrument?

A. No one is ever too old to begin learning an instrument. Although it is true that the young learn

faster, there is no limitations to what a person is able to achieve, only the amount of effort that

they are willing to put in. Often with a busy life, adults do not have the time or motivation to

learn an instrument. But there are many advantages, if only to obtain the ability to help any

children in their life who may need a little extra help at home, and of course for their own enjoyment

Q. What is the best instrument for my child to learn?

A. There is no one answer to this question. Often it is up to the child to choose, as they must enjoy

what they are learning. There are however advantages to certain instruments. The piano for

instance gives a solid and overall grounding in music, offering work in harmony from an early

level, hand-eye coordination, and a fixed and true pitch. String instruments on the other hand

encourage good posture, inner hearing and strong pitch development and an opportunity to play in

ensembles learning group work skills which develop the ability to hear other lines of music.

Q. Where can I find a good instrument to buy?

A. Often you can find bargains in the paper if you know what you are looking for. But it is best to go

to a specialist who can size your child to the correct instrument as string instruments come in

a variety of sizes to suit any age. If you are worried about buying an instrument and then loosing

money when your child either stops learning or grows out of it then the best advice I can give

you is to buy second hand. For most string instrument, as well as pianos, a second hand

instrument, if well cared for can most often be resold for the same price as originally purchased

for. Animato in Red Hill on Waterworks Rd is really the only store in Brisbane that supplies

serviced and reliable second hand string instruments

Q. How much will an average string instrument cost me?

A. Generally the starting price for a reliable instrument is $300. There of course more and less

expensive instruments available.

Q. How often should my child practice?

A. This of course depends on many factors. Age, goals and motivation. Generally I recommend

that a beginner practices for 15 minutes every second day. This should increase in frequency

and duration so that by the end of the second year the student practices for half an hour,

six days a week. By level 4 A.M.E.B, I would expect that the student would practice for

45 minutes every day.

Q. What can I expect of my child in the early stages of learning an instrument?

A. From my own experience as a learner, my mother almost went crazy making me do my

practice every day. This is normal, your child will fight you, let’s face it who wouldn’t rather be

out playing with their friends. It is the parents job however to look to the future and the advantages

that may come from learning this instrument. In the end your child will thank you, I known I did.

Q. When should my child begin exams?

A. It generally takes about a year and a half to learn the required skills to begin working on exam

material. This of course depends upon natural ability and any previous musical knowledge.

The general guideline is then one exam a year.

Q. What is involved in sitting an exam?

A. My students sit A.M.E.B exam (Australian Music Examinations Board) which is the most

recognised examination board for University entrance. Exams usually entail, 3-6 pieces, a

variety of scales and technical exercises, general knowledge questions, sight-reading test, and

aural listening tests. The pricing for sitting exams generally starts at approx $60 and increases

for each level. There are in Brisbane usually four opportunities throughout the year to sit exams.

an accompanist is required for any exam except of course for piano. This is a service that I am

able to supply for all my students.

Q. How should I care for my string instrument?

A. Ensure that it is treated gently and kept out of reach of very young children. It should not be

kept in a hot room, or near a window or exterior wall.

Rosin should be applied to the bow only once a week. The duration of the application

should be for about one minute using long sweeping movements.

The rosin is made from the sap of a tree and allows the horse hair to grip the string.

The instrument should be wiped down with a dry soft cloth after every practice to ensure the

rosin does not affect the varnish.