As the parent of a student with different learning abilities, and as a teacher for over 25 years, I have a lot of experience in teaching kids with different learning needs and styles. I am not a music therapist. BUT - I've taught students on the autistic spectrum, kids with reading issues such as dyslexia, kids with dysgraphia, motor skill issues, sensory issues - you name it, I've probably taught them!
What are the benefits of private music lessons?
- Private lessons are good in that your child will have one on one time with the teacher,instead of in a group at school. The teacher can concentrate solely on the needs of your child! How often does that happen?!
- Kids with sensory issues benefit in a lot of different ways from playing an instrument. I have found that when you make the noise yourself, you become a lot less sensitive to noise in general! That includes the band around you! It spills over into other issues as well, including touch and various stims such as fidgeting, etc.
- Also, if a child has asthma, the manner of breathing when they play an instrument helps them with being able to regroup from an attack. I have also found it helps with relaxation techniques.
- Reading music many times comes easier to special needs kids than reading language. The intricacies of language are absent; I've had dyslexic students who never had a problem with reading music!
- Routine! Band is full of routine. Make sure you set a regular practice time for your child. The structure of a regular practice time works well for our kids. My son likes to play his assignments in order, every time..... and he has his own routine about how he likes to practice.
- Social benefits! Band or orchestra also gives your child a place he or she can be *social* - a place where they can belong, make friends, and if they become good enough, maybe play in a group outside the school (such as a local youth symphony or community band). Don't say "my child can't take an audition" - wait and see! My son has been doing it successfully since 4th grade! He plays in the county youth orchestra, and has also played in the neighboring county's junior orchestra.
What should they play?
Different instruments suit kids with different issues better. Some instruments require more fine motor skills. Some instruments require a lot of air. Some require a "good ear" (meaning a good sense of pitch).
Woodwinds: Saxophone is probably the easiest instrument of all to play. I've had students who became very good on sax who had all kinds of learning disabilities. But if a student REALLY is dying to learn flute or clarinet, they should keep in mind that those instruments will be more work for them, but they can be done.
If a child has fine motor skill issues, I would go with sax for the most part. I have no problem with a student giving any instrument a shot first, though! Try them all!
- Brass: I've found that brass instruments work great for kids with fine motor skill issues as long as they have a good sense of pitch. Most brass instruments only use three fingers, and trombone uses none.
- Drums can also work for those with fine motor skills that aren't so hot, as long as they have "the beat."
Some teachers try to have our kids play something like xylophone. This tends to work only if your child knows piano already. To be honest, I generally advise against piano for very young special learners UNLESS you have a teacher trained in music therapy or something similar. Piano can be overwhelming; the keyboard is large and seemingly unending. And when it comes to putting both hands together, you are just asking for frustration.That is hard enough for "NT" children. Even with my son's musical ability, piano is Still hard for him.
One of these days I will put a website with my son online. (The problem is: he is a teenager, and I embarrass him when I record him, lol.) He is an advanced trumpet player for his age, with some limitations - but he is not a "prodigy" - he simply developed his skills from private (not group) lessons and daily practice. With a good teacher, your child CAN learn to play an instrument to the best of their ability!
NOTE: You will find a lot of websites out there with piano tips for special needs - there is a good studio in West Chester where you can get teachers (music therapists) who teach piano strictly to special needs kids. I'll gladly give you the name if you email.
How old should they be when they start?
That would depend on the instrument and the needs of the child. My son started trumpet just after 2nd grade! We did not learn to read music right away. We practiced breathing and getting a sound out, and working with a few notes to get the fingers going.
Please note: I am not a brass or percussion teacher except for beginners, and I generally don't teach them. I do not teach strings at all. Our kids tend to model their tone quality off what they hear - and believe me, you DON'T want them to model off my trumpet tone! (My son will tell you that!) However, for special needs kids, I would gladly start them for you (no strings, however), and then help you find someone who would be good with them once they are beyond my capabilities.
Please note: As I am not a music therapist, I cannot take students with serious physical issues. I wish I could, but I am just not trained and would be doing your child a disservice! I will gladly give you the number of the place in West Chester, however.
Here are some links with information on special needs and instrumental music (if you find any more good ones, please let me know!):
Living Water Music
Special Child.com
Instrumental Music for Special Learners
Arts for Healing
Developing and maintaining Social Skills
Answers.com - Music Therapy
