Learning flute in the band?

[Anonymous]

My daughter wants to do flute at her school (4th grade). Should I look for private instructors to supplement school?

[Anonymous]

I think that depends on how seriously she wants to learn.

[Anonymous]

So progress is not tracked or evaluated? How serious is the school about music education?

[Anonymous]

Well, what school does she go to?

[Anonymous]

My DD took strings this year. We waited a couple months to see if she was serious. Then, around Christmas, we started private lessons. I think if you expect them to be any good, they will eventually need private lessons. I think it's ok to try it for a few months (to a year) without. The progress will just be a little slower, but it's not a race. It's about developing a love for music. Honestly, I was a music major so i can tell you honestly, that it's ok to ease in with a toe in the water and see how she likes it first.

[Anonymous]

I played the flute and oboe in middle and high school. Honestly, you should wait and see how she does before hiring a tutor. Playing a wind instrument is not like learning math. Natural ability plays a big part. Some kids will take to an instrument and quickly learn and master it, and others will practice and practice and never master it because of factors that cannot be completely overcome by tutoring -- e.g. Lung capacity, shape of lips and tongue, innate rhythm or lack thereof. Some will do poorly with flute but excel with single reed instruments such as clarinet, saxophone or with double reed such as oboe. I had friends who started with woodwinds and was horrible, but switched to brass (cornet) and excelled. Just have fun with it and don't be afraid to switch instrument if the flute is not her cup of tea. Music should be fun and not a chore. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Is she also doing, soccer, Girl Scouts, religious ed, piano, swimming, homework, AAP, etc., etc.?

[Anonymous]

She does girl scout.

[Anonymous]

I don't think she'll need private lessons--unless she's really interested in them.

[Anonymous]

23:56 here. I forgot to add that I never had any tutoring for the flute and did just fine. Unless she has dreams of being a professional musician and going to Julliard, I would not bother with extra help. I've never heard of having to get outside help for elementary school band. This is nuts! Will she be graded on how well she plays the flute? In fourth grade? Just have fun and enjoy the love of making music. If she does not excel there is no shame in being average, or trying another instrument, or trying something else. Not everyone is a born musician and that's ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:23:56 here. I forgot to add that I never had any tutoring for the flute and did just fine. Unless she has dreams of being a professional musician and going to Julliard, I would not bother with extra help. I've never heard of having to get outside help for elementary school band. This is nuts! Will she be graded on how well she plays the flute? In fourth grade? Just have fun and enjoy the love of making music. If she does not excel there is no shame in being average, or trying another instrument, or trying something else. Not everyone is a born musician and that's ok.

No, neighbor kid got into Uva. Majored in music. Sent in her CD with her flute performance on it. I'm quite sure it was instrumental (forgive the pun) in her acceptance.

As for the other comment "Just have fun and enjoy the love of making music," I'm seeing a of of posts in this vein ... just cut school and go to Disneyworld. It's FUN!!! That's what its all about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:23:56 here. I forgot to add that I never had any tutoring for the flute and did just fine. Unless she has dreams of being a professional musician and going to Julliard, I would not bother with extra help. I've never heard of having to get outside help for elementary school band. This is nuts! Will she be graded on how well she plays the flute? In fourth grade? Just have fun and enjoy the love of making music. If she does not excel there is no shame in being average, or trying another instrument, or trying something else. Not everyone is a born musician and that's ok.

No, neighbor kid got into Uva. Majored in music. Sent in her CD with her flute performance on it. I'm quite sure it was instrumental (forgive the pun) in her acceptance.

As for the other comment "Just have fun and enjoy the love of making music," I'm seeing a of of posts in this vein ... just cut school and go to Disneyworld. It's FUN!!! That's what its all about.

I disagree with your analogy. Kids do need to have some fun, not be constantly pressured to be "the best" at everything. Letting music be fun and not a grind is likely to make your child enjoy it more and WANT to continue. Music can be a hobby if that's what your child chooses. Not everyone has to be a virtuoso. Some people that aren't necessarily good play because the love music and they enjoy it. Being a professional or training too hard can turn your love of music into a chore. It's not for everyone. It really is ok to like something for fun.

I was a music major so I actually have some credibility in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:23:56 here. I forgot to add that I never had any tutoring for the flute and did just fine. Unless she has dreams of being a professional musician and going to Julliard, I would not bother with extra help. I've never heard of having to get outside help for elementary school band. This is nuts! Will she be graded on how well she plays the flute? In fourth grade? Just have fun and enjoy the love of making music. If she does not excel there is no shame in being average, or trying another instrument, or trying something else. Not everyone is a born musician and that's ok.

No, neighbor kid got into Uva. Majored in music. Sent in her CD with her flute performance on it. I'm quite sure it was instrumental (forgive the pun) in her acceptance.

As for the other comment "Just have fun and enjoy the love of making music," I'm seeing a of of posts in this vein ... just cut school and go to Disneyworld. It's FUN!!! That's what its all about.

I disagree with your analogy. Kids do need to have some fun, not be constantly pressured to be "the best" at everything. Letting music be fun and not a grind is likely to make your child enjoy it more and WANT to continue. Music can be a hobby if that's what your child chooses. Not everyone has to be a virtuoso. Some people that aren't necessarily good play because the love music and they enjoy it. Being a professional or training too hard can turn your love of music into a chore. It's not for everyone. It really is ok to like something for fun.

I was a music major so I actually have some credibility in this area.

yes you do. But going to these school concerts you can see who is first chair etc., and while they may be having fun, they are also very hardworking and dedicated.
That's what makes them so good, and everyone marveling at how good they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:23:56 here. I forgot to add that I never had any tutoring for the flute and did just fine. Unless she has dreams of being a professional musician and going to Julliard, I would not bother with extra help. I've never heard of having to get outside help for elementary school band. This is nuts! Will she be graded on how well she plays the flute? In fourth grade? Just have fun and enjoy the love of making music. If she does not excel there is no shame in being average, or trying another instrument, or trying something else. Not everyone is a born musician and that's ok.

No, neighbor kid got into Uva. Majored in music. Sent in her CD with her flute performance on it. I'm quite sure it was instrumental (forgive the pun) in her acceptance.

As for the other comment "Just have fun and enjoy the love of making music," I'm seeing a of of posts in this vein ... just cut school and go to Disneyworld. It's FUN!!! That's what its all about.

I disagree with your analogy. Kids do need to have some fun, not be constantly pressured to be "the best" at everything. Letting music be fun and not a grind is likely to make your child enjoy it more and WANT to continue. Music can be a hobby if that's what your child chooses. Not everyone has to be a virtuoso. Some people that aren't necessarily good play because the love music and they enjoy it. Being a professional or training too hard can turn your love of music into a chore. It's not for everyone. It really is ok to like something for fun.

I was a music major so I actually have some credibility in this area.

yes you do. But going to these school concerts you can see who is first chair etc., and while they may be having fun, they are also very hardworking and dedicated.
That's what makes them so good, and everyone marveling at how good they are.

I'm not opposed to taking private lessons (my kids do) or working hard (we encourage them to work hard and explain that the more you practice the more fun it gets). The difference is that we waited to see if they liked the instrument and did private lessons when they requested it. We didn't push or insist that they be the best. We promote love of music. One of my kids has a very good ear. I suspect she could be very good some day. The best thing, though, is how much she LOVES it. She told me she dreams at night about playing her instrument and that listening to certain classical music makes her "heart hurt." THAT's what I care about. I have no interest in having other patents "marvel" at how good my child is and I won't be sad if they don't. She already got exactly what I wanted her to get out of it.

[Anonymous]

Are you for real? Will snowflake be a failure if she is second chair? Come on people give the kid a break. Next thing you know we'll start tutoring for PE so that they'll have an advantage getting into college. Oh wait we already do that -- football, soccer, lacrosse, swim team. I have a colleague who is pushing golf on his 4 yr old daughter because there are plentiful golf scholarships for girls. Ok thanks for letting me vent. Just an old band nerd who is appalled at what band has become in this area.