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Mommy, I want to play the violin...

Why does a child in grade school suddenly decide he wants to learn to play a stringed instrument?
Most string teachers have been asked this question for as long as they have been teaching...

"Mommy, I want to play the violin!"

"Why on earth would you want to do a thing like that?"

Does this conversation sound familiar? Of course, you can substitute viola, cello, or string bass for violin, but the concept is the same. Why does a child in (often around fourth grade) decide he wants to learn to play a stringed instrument? I am sure that most string teachers have been asked this question for as long as they have been teaching.

I believe that foremost in the life of any child is the desire to emulate role models and follow peers. How may children wear a shirt with number 23 and the name Jordan on the back, or want to dress like popular young movie stars or music artists? Children are exposed daily to activities in which they would love to participate themselves because they like the excitement of how the participants sound, look, and act. Never mind the fact that these adult activities may have taken years of training. It is no wonder a child wants to participate in a band program after being exposed to marching bands, orchestras, or want to play the Irish fiddle like Eileen Ivers after watching a performance of "Riverdance." Your child may have been exposed to stringed instruments and the orchestra in their school music program. Chances are they have attended an orchestra concert with you or on a field trip at school. They may have seen a small ensemble of string players at a wedding or church service. So when they hear other string students playing exciting songs and performing in recitals - it is no wonder they jump at the chance. Adding to the formula may be the idea that many of their friends want to play also. Peer pressure is very strong in an activity such as this.

Children are also very much attracted to the way the different instruments sound. Unfortunately, that which makes playing an instrument such an exciting adventure also contributes to disappointment if success is not achieved early. As a teacher, I know that most children are not afraid to try anything, but they also expect a reward for their efforts. Children do not see the years of study or practice that have gone into the finished performances they see in any activity. They expect instant success. So - when the first bad notes emerge, a little bit of the enthusiasm goes away. "Why doesn't this sound the way it's supposed to?" This, coupled with the extra time requirements for practice, possibly missing recess for a lesson, or having to make up a test taken during a lesson, can take away a lot of that initial excitement. The wonderful sounding instrument to which they were initially attracted suddenly isn't quite making the grade.

So - what can be done about this? As a teacher I am always trying to promote success as early and as often as possible. That's one of the reasons we start playing music written with fingering numbers (tablature) before they know how to read music. A very young string student can have instant success on a variety of songs. We move to the bow slowly, and give them ample time to develop a decent sound before we load them down with too many other concepts. But, this is not always enough. Constant encouragement is needed from both teachers and and parents. "Yes, you don't sound like a professional violinist yet, but they studied for many years and went through the same experiences you are going through. Keep working, and you will keep getting better." "I enjoy hearing you play." "What are you playing in your lessons now?" "How would you like to play for your grandma and grandpa this weekend?" Let your children know that the extra work and time involved is worth it, that missing recess a couple times a week or having to make up a test or class work is a small price to pay to take part in such a wonderful activity.

One of the best ways to encourage children is to let them see their peers, or children closer to their own age, play these instruments. While attending a professional symphony orchestra performance is beneficial, of even more benefit is attending and/or taking part in school concerts. I believe that a fourth grader watching a ninth grader play symphony orchestra music creates a more powerful image in his mind of what can be accomplished than by watching a twenty year veteran symphony orchestra member with whom the child can not really relate.

Welcome to the wonderful musical world of Stringed Instruments!