All children are entitled to instrumental and vocal tuition in or out of school to achieve their musical potential. Here is some advice for parents on finding the right teacher for your child, and how to work with a music teacher to help your child learn.
Where to begin
The first decision is which musical instrument your child wants to learn. Some young children know what most instruments look like from seeing them for example in shop windows, or on television. Children who were born with sight problems may have heard instruments but not know their name, shape or how they are played. Explain the size and shape of an instrument to your child, and let him or her touch and hold as many instruments as possible and hear their different sounds.
Instrumental lessons in school
Music department
Some schools will have a Head of Music or Music Coordinator who should have a list of instruments taught, costs to parents and guardians, arrangements for allocation of pupils and instrumental loans.
Music services
Many schools' instrumental services are run by county or borough music services that also organise holiday activities, bands and orchestras outside school hours, all of which your child is entitled to participate in fully.
Music lessons
Lessons in school are taught individually or in a group, and usually carried out on a rota basis. You should check with the school how your child will be notified of his /her lesson time each week.
Payment of fees
Parents or carers may apply for remission or reduction of fees in cases of financial hardship. This can include fees for instrument tuition, instrument hire and ensemble activities like orchestras.
Music schools
Saturday morning or full day and evening tutoring is also offered at music schools and junior schemes at conservatoires.
Children with outstanding potential may also audition to obtain full-time places at music or cathedral schools.
Information and lists of these can be obtained from your local music service or through various publications such as the Music Yearbook.
Private instrumental lessons
The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) keeps a register of professional private music teachers. The teachers who are listed in this register maintain a professional and responsible approach to their work. Teachers are approved for inclusion after careful scrutiny of their qualifications, experience and achievements by their colleagues in the ISM.
To choose a teacher from the list, go to your preferred instrument, which is listed alphabetically. Then look under your location for the teachers in your area. The register has a key with various codes. For teachers who cater for people with physical disabilities, special educational needs or learning difficulties, the code is the Greek letter omega.
Copies of this register can be found in your local library. Other sources of the information may be:
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Musicians' Union
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list of teachers kept by specialist music schools and conservatoires
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list of teachers who specialise in the Suzuki method
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your local library
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word of mouth
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lists or notice boards in your local music shop.
What to tell your child's teacher when lessons start
Explain the nature of your child's sight problem, how much he or she can see, and whether the condition is stable. Explain if your child's condition has changed over the years.
Advise the teacher on the lighting that your child prefers to work in, for example, natural or artificial.
Suggest that the child should be familiarised with the music room. In the first few lessons, he or she may want to be guided around the room.
Tell the teacher which format your child prefers, for instance braille, tape or large print.
Working with a music teacher and your child's reading format
Braille
It is not essential for the teacher to read braille but it is helpful for the teacher to understand a few basic points, and to have a working knowledge of the code. This information can be obtained from a number of Braille courses and reference materials. After a few lessons, a discussion about learning music braille might be helpful.
Audio
Your child may prefer memorising by ear, backed up by verbal description and musical illustration directly recorded onto tape or minidisc.
Large print
If your child is partially sighted, he or she may be able to read ordinary, large or modified print music. There are three main approaches that can be taken: writing the music out by hand, using a photocopier or working on a computer with appropriate software. For further information, please contact the RNIB Music Advisory Service at mas@rnib.org.uk.
Learning tips
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Using a portable tape recorder to note things in the lesson may help, if your child is unable to read a notebook.
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To provide a rest from reading or memorising, your child may respond well to learning by ear and improvisation.
Exam tips
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Children who are blind or partially sighted may enter for music examinations at all levels.
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A number of examination boards have well-established procedures for students with sight problems, which have been negotiated with the RNIB. Please contact the RNIB Music Advisory Service for details.
Software tips
Keep up-to-date with music software and its appropriate access technology.
Practical help tips
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Set aside a specific area where your child can practise. In this area, put any special equipment such as a tape recorder, headphones and a microphone, an anglepoise lamp or other appropriate lighting.
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Your child may need help to find his /her place on a tape recorder to hear what he /she needs to practise. Otherwise you may need to read out to your child from a notebook.
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Your child may need help with getting the instrument ready to play, cleaning it and putting it away.
Useful contacts
RNIB Music Advisory Service
105 Judd Street
London
WC1H 9NE
Telephone 020 7388 1266
Email mas@rnib.org.uk
Federation of Music Services
7 Courthouse Street
Otley
Leeds
LS21 3AN
Telephone 01943 46 33 11
Fax: 01943 461188
Email: info@federationmusic.org.uk
British and International Music Yearbook
Rhinegold Publishing Limited
241 Shaftesbury Avenue
London
WC2H 8TF
Telephone 020 7833 1721
Email bmyb@rhinegold.co.uk
Incorporated Society of Musicians
Register of Professional Private Music Teachers
10 Stratford Place
London
W1C 1AA
Telephone 020 7629 4413
Fax 020 7408 7538
Email membership@ism.org
Musicians' Union
National Office
60 /62 Clapham Road
London
SW9 OJJ
Telephone 020 7582 5566
Fax 020 7582 9805
Email: info@musiciansunion.org.uk
British Suzuki Institute
39 High Street
Wheathampstead
Hertfordshire
AL4 8BB
Telephone 01582 83 24 24
Fax 01582 83 44 88
Email bsi@suzukimusic.force9.co.uk
RNIB Helpline
Telephone: 0303 123 9999
Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk