Instrumental and singing lessons in school

Learning to play a musical instrument or singing can be an extremely rewarding experience for your child, and the obvious place to start is at school.

We are here to guide you through how you can get your child music / singing lessons in schools. 

However, we know that learning at school is just part of the experience.

Learning at school is just the beginning

Some schools might have the option to learn an instrument, but the opportunities to play or perform with others could be limited. Our Saturday morning music centres are also a great place for young people to learn, with two options of group sessions or individual lessons.  There are three centres to choose from in Ampthill, Biggleswade and Leighton Linslade, offering a huge range of musical activities, including:

• guitars and keyboards

• orchestras

• bands

• choirs

• recorders

• drum kit

• rock groups

• pre-school activities and much more

The Inspiring Music Centres in Central Bedfordshire provide for students of all ages and standards, from beginner upwards, with a wide range of opportunities to develop musicianship and playing skills.

For most people, music has its greatest impact when played with others!

At what age can my child start Learning an Instrument? 

As every child develops differently, this will be very dependent on the child.

Here are some questions to consider before enrolling your child for music lessons:

• is there a particular instrument your child has expressed an interest in learning to play?

• how developed are their fine motor skills and their hand-eye coordination?

• for woodwind or brass instruments has your child transitioned from milk to adult teeth (top front teeth)? Recorder, flute and fife would not require adult teeth.  String instruments, guitar, ukulele, keyboards, voice or a beginner session at one of our Music Centres (more details below) could be a suitable alternative.

• could they concentrate for a 20-minute lesson?

• will they want to attend a lesson weekly and will they practise regularly?

• are they beginning to read and count? Can they identify and understand numbers and letters?

We would not normally recommend starting an instrument before the age of 6 years old but recognise that some students may not be ready at this age or might be ready a little earlier as they near their 6th birthday.

Physicality plays a huge part and the child will need to be able to have the hand span and reach to be able to access the instrument.  As mentioned earlier, for some woodwind or brass instrument, having transitioned from milk teeth to their adult teeth is a prerequisite.

We recognise the importance of children being able to access group music activities for singing and musical games as these can lead onto recorder or ocarina in groups as well as tuned and untune percussion in a more informal environment. As such are in the process of reshaping our Music Centres offer and are looking forward to introducing our Early Years offer in the new year.

Our Music Centres are a great way of getting involved with music. 

Our current beginner offer includes:

• Recorders

• Hand chimes

• Musical Superstars

• Choir

The above sessions are all suitable for beginners and all would be very much welcome to attend.

We also have sessions for students with additional needs at our Leighton Linslade Music Centre.

We are very much looking forward to introducing our Early Years Music Maker Sessions at our music centres in the new year and if you would like to register your interest to be informed when these sessions will be starting or would like further information on any other sessions at Music Centres please email your name, child’s age and your address to Inspiring.Music@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk  

Singing lessons

We also offer individual singing and small group lessons in schools too, starting from Year 5.

The enthusiasm to learn a musical instrument

Your child will need to commit to going to music lessons once a week. That’s just part of learning.

They will need to regularly practice, at least 3 times a week (on top of music lessons). This will develop their skills in reading music but also stamina too – especially for woodwind and brass instruments which can be quite physically intensive to play and also to hold. 

We also recommend that they play music in school groups, ensembles and orchestras so that they can learn how their instrument and music fits in with a wider group. 

Aside from school, they could also participate in group music sessions at one of the Inspiring Music Centres or join a local music ensemble. This will get them mixing with people of different ages and abilities, which can be a real driver to them wanting to improve their playing.

The role of the parent or carer

The role you play as a parent / carer of a child learning a musical instrument is really important in helping them enjoy playing music.

You can help by:

• making sure they know when their music lessons are

• reminding them to attend music lessons

• monitoring how their music lessons have went and supporting feedback from their music tutor

• giving them somewhere at home to practise, without distractions such as toys, games and televisions

• making sure that they have the music and equipment for the instrument

• getting them a music stand – these cost around £10

• a comfortable seat (if the instrument involves sitting down) or space to stand up to play – bad posture can make it really difficult to breathe properly when playing a woodwind or brass instrument

• asking them how it's going – nothing beats taking an active interest in their playing

• let them show off – if you have friends or family around, let them perform in the comfort of their own home. This will get them used to playing in front of people and calm down ‘stage fright’ in the future

As their parent or carer, you will recognise if they aren’t enjoying it. It’s best to be honest; they might start one musical instrument and then take an interest in another. So, there is no point forcing them to learn if they lose interest or want to make a switch – that’s natural. 

If you’re in doubt, speak privately to their music tutor to see if other options are available.