Too young to start?

flutietootie4lyfe · Post by **flutietootie4lyfe** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 2:59 pm

I have been really excited to get my sister started on
playing flute. She can already make a sound but her fingers can''t nearly
reach the keys yet. Although she is very young(3) she is dyeing to learn and is
extremely bright and good with music. I have already started with having her
repeat rhythums on a tamborine. I just don''t know if I should try to teach
her. What is the name of the curved attachment for little kids on the headjoint?
What age of learning ability are kids ready to play? Thanks

minsmusic · Post by **minsmusic** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 6:11 pm

Good on you Kendall, that's wonderful that you
want to help your sister play. I say go for it! Rhythm games are wonderful, your
tambourine game sounds great. Keep it up. Include clapping games, and don't
forget to sing songs - very important for this age group, and also develops
pitch and builds up your diaphragm. At this stage, I wouldn't recommend trying
to teach reading skills, nor using the entire flute. Get her to blow 'rhythms'
into the headpiece only. Try asking her to 'dance' while you play the flute.
Get her to show a happy face [:)] or a sad face [:((] when you play either major
or minor tunes. Find pictures of flutes she can colour in. Make up a tune and
ask her to sing it, then give it a name. Make recordings of the songs your
sister has 'named.' Tell your sister what you have to practise yourself this
week, show her the score etc, play her some of the tunes (ask her to listen
quietly), ask her what she thinks. Then politely ask her to leave so you can do
your practise (this will show her that you have to take practise time
seriously). THen ask her back in, play what you've been working on and ask her
'how did that sound'? You don't have to do this every time you practise,
maybe just once a week. Also, don't set her any homework just yet. Keep the
sessions with her short - perhaps 15 minutes. Make sure you have a written
outline so you know what you want to cover for that lesson - Singing game 1,
clapping game no.3, dance to this song, play this minor tune, etc Instead of one
lesson once a week, aim at two shorter lessons, or even three shorter lessons a
week. Make a time. Write it somewhere she can see - it doesn't matter she
can't tell the time yet! THen it's up to you to remind her it's her lesson
time. This will let her know the flute takes committment. Above all make sure
you both have fun! Teaching brings much responsiblity but also much joy. I think
you're in a marvellous position to teach your sister. Again, go for it![:)]

FluteDiddy · Post by **FluteDiddy** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 6:52 pm

My reaction would be to buy her a recorder and let
her learn to play that. A child that age doesn't have the air necessary to not
disappoint themselves.

flutietootie4lyfe · Post by **flutietootie4lyfe** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 8:54 pm

thanks for the encouragement minmusic, I can't
wait to start

fluteluversmom · Post by **fluteluversmom** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 9:16 pm

I agree with Jenny (minsmusic)..I think it is great
that you want to work with your little sister. I would say that you will be fine
if you keep it simple for her... 3 year olds tend to have a short attention span
LOL I have read that the Suzuki methods of teaching work well for younger kids.
You might be able to find some information on those techiniques with a Google
search or from a book at the library. Good Luck And Have Fun [;)] Kim

fluteluversmom · Post by **fluteluversmom** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 9:23 pm

<<What is the name of the curved attachment for
little kids on the headjoint?>> Curved headjoint...it is actually a whole
different headjoint that you would put on your flute. I have seen them
advertised by many flute makers and on usedflutes.com. Kim

twenty-second note · Post by **twenty-second note** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 9:44 pm

I completely agree. The sooner you start the more
likely they will be the best! I'm teaching my younger sibling how to play! The
younger sibling is doing great!

flutietootie4lyfe · Post by **flutietootie4lyfe** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 9:50 am

Yeah I knew it attached to the actual flute that
was a typo but I think thats really cool, especially since her fingers dont
quite reach the keys

ick27 · Post by **ick27** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 5:21 pm

You should also take a look at something like the
Yamaha fife, which is more like the flute but good for a small child to start
on. Check out the Yamaha.com site under music and "recorders". Or,
http://yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/Content ... DN,00.html
-Bradford

BandGeek16 · Post by **BandGeek16** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 4:57 pm

I started flute when I was three, I played on a
curved headjoint. I see no problem in starting her this early. That would mean
that she would have that much more experience.