Why begin clarinet lessons at the start of the school year?
Goal setting is an essential skill for kids as they grow, and learning a musical instrument, such as the clarinet or bass clarinet, can give them concrete goals to achieve, like hitting a certain note or playing a certain song, beyond just aiming for a letter grade.
Learning a new instrument can take a lot of time, effort, and patience. For students to progress at the clarinet, they must learn that skills take time to build but eventually practice will pay off. This perseverance will help them develop the mental and emotional strength to cope with adversity, learn from their mistakes, and keep moving forward.
Once a student reaches their first goal, they will soon realize that the amount of practice they engage in will have a direct correlation to how good their music sounds. And the tangible reward of learning a new skill or mastering a musical piece will boost their confidence and give them a sense of achievement. They will see how it’s possible to master one thing and it can help inspire them to master another, like a new sport or second language.
I’ve been teaching clarinet lessons in Toronto for over 15 years and love to see the spark a new student has when they unlock their first achievement, and how it will carry over into the rest of the school year.