Good age to learn fiddle?

Subject: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: GUEST,Mia
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 10:06 PM

Please can someone tell me when is a good age for my son to learn to play the fiddle? And also, is it OK to start him on the fiddle, or should he learn the piano first. He's 8 years old and is keen to get started. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: Jason LaPrade
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 10:15 PM

Hi Mia,

I like the last sentence about him being "keen to get started." Whatever you do, don't push him into anything. Let him learn at his own pace. Let him pick what instrument (and style of music) he wants to play.

Fiddle isn't the easiest of instruments to learn, but it is a great instrument to develop your musical ear (i.e., no frets). If he goes that route, it would be nice to learn an instrument that can accompany others such as piano or guitar eventually. Personally, I'd start with something that can play chords.

Jason.

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: Hypatia
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 10:41 PM

Get that boy a fiddle! I agree that "keen to get started" is the key to learning, but I disagree that chords are the way to start.

Small hands have difficulty with chords. Especially that danged F! It's fun to play a tune that you recognize. It gives one a real feeling of accomplishment and immediate gratification

I started in second grade. God bless my folks for putting up with the first few weeks. There is something about learning at that young age that makes special brain connections. They say if you learn another language before age 8 you can be totally bilingual. Music is the best language. It may not help him speak French, but you will give your son a gift of music that will last a life time.

I switched to bass in fourth grade, but have been able to pick the fiddle back up with facility as an adult, and could do viola and cello when called for with a little practice. I still can't do chords worth a darn, but have been able to play tunes on guitar, mando and even Koto.

If he wants it giveit to him! If you can do it it's a wonderful gift to give your child. I figure if they are interested, any time after about four is a gift for a lifetime. Tell him we look forward to hearing him on Hear Me! --Beth

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 11:32 PM

The "Classicists" will tell you that 2 is not too young. By all means, 8 is old enough. Just be sure the teacher is right for him, tho. I am not a Suzuki trained teacher, so I will not take them much before 8 or 10. Also, be sure the fiddle fits him, don't get one too big or too small. You will need to upgrade over the years since he is so small. Buy the best you can afford, and don't skimp on the bow. It could be more important than the instrument itsself.

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 11:53 PM

I started at 8 years old, too, with a full size violin..it was what my parents had available and was excellent quality. I also started piano at the same time and have been eternally grateful to my parents for making me keep up with both. Wouldn't have wanted to start any later.

The teacher can be crucial to success and keeping the keenness going... I also think playing in an orchestra from the beginning helped me a lot, as well as having parents and siblings who were musicians.

The etacher si so important. My daughter tried violin at the same age and had a fit and totally lost interest because her too young teacher (I was stupid and didn't realise at the time) had her playign Christmas songs in July adn she hated it!

Go for it and give him as much encouragement as you can. Good luck and please keep us posted.

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From:
Date: 20 Jul 00 - 01:27 AM

Well, three fiddlers I know, who are figured to be excellent all started around 8 or 9 years old.

John Morris Rankin
Natalie MacMaster
Ashley MacIsaac

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: Lena
Date: 20 Jul 00 - 01:46 AM

My sister is four,and she's been asking for a fiddle since three. Everybody finds it quite cute,asking her why. She replies,icredibly serious: "Because I like the sound". At the moment ,nobody intends to get her a fiddle and I frankly find it reassuring.I know it sounds ridicoulous,but the idea of a kid put to an instrument is scary to me.I've always thought that kid's main 'duty ís to socialize and play together,and the practise of an instrument can be quite isolating. But eight sounds like a fine age.Actually,hurry up!!! As for the"will he change his mind?"thing,well,it does happen very often.The important is,once they loose the interest,not to force them(as my mother did...and then I felt music like a heavy commitment wieghting on fun time,friends...).They might get back to the instrument one day. Of course it's better if they start enjoying it like their favourite toy. I don't know about your country,but in mine usually piano is compulsory in'formal'music education. It definitely helps for many things,but it's quite an immediate instrument and if he's not taught it now he'll be able to pick it up by himself later.Obviously to play Chopin on it would be another matter... Good luck to him and fun time!!

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 20 Jul 00 - 04:29 AM

I agree with all the other posts, that your child is certainly old enough, and that wanting to play it is a key. Your child may discover a passion for a particular kind of music, be it traditional fiddling or classical somewhere along the road. Get a good teacher who will impart the basics but also encourage your child's creativity, and there's a good chance he'll find his own path.

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 20 Jul 00 - 07:48 AM

And at the other end of the scale, you're NEVER too old to learn. I can bear witness to a lady who started at 80 and a bloke at 50. She didn't quite reach orchestra standard but he did in half a dozen years. Regards, John

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: Mbo
Date: 20 Jul 00 - 08:45 AM

Too right! I started when I was 15, just shy of a year after I started playing guitar. Me being the musical zealot, I was bringing in oldtime fiddle tunes (Flop-Eared Mule, Johnson Boys) on the 3rd lesson. She said if I hadn't been playing guitar for a year, she would have never let me do it. It's pretty easy to transfer from guitar to violin.

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: JulieF
Date: 20 Jul 00 - 10:28 AM

I think - any age is a good age if you are keen. Try and get involved with a group - either of the same age or a wider group. When my daughter joined the fiddle society - she couldn't play a whole tune but she could manage several where she played about every 4th note !

It has come as a bit of a realisation that she is now playing almost everything and as quick as everyone else.

The older members take a real interest in the younger ones.

Julie

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: Kim C
Date: 20 Jul 00 - 10:31 AM

If he's keen, let him go! I started piano lessons about 9. I started fiddle lessons at 31. Because of all the piano lessons, the fiddle has been fairly easy on the whole. And now the guitar makes a lot more sense to me, too.

My teacher has never, EVER said to me, you haven't been playing long enough to learn this song/technique/whatever. She has always let me try whatever I wanted to. If I decide it's too hard for me and I want to move on to something else, great, we'll come back to it later.

Even though I started out fiddling around on my own, and made some progress, I have to say that there are a lot of fine points of fiddle playing I never would have learned without a teacher.

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: GUEST,Mia
Date: 20 Jul 00 - 04:45 PM

Thank you all very much for the hints. I know my boy will be a Mudcatter when he's older because he already shows a keen interest in old Scottish music, which is my nationality, although I'm now living in America. I'll let him start after the summer holidays and will keep you all informed on his progress. Seems like the teacher is very important - I'll make sure he gets a good one.

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: Hardiman the Fiddler
Date: 20 Jul 00 - 07:58 PM

I don't think that 8 is too young, if the young man's keen to get started, by all means get him started! But I would suggest that you research the teachers, because the right one will inspire him to continue at it, and the wrong one will quickly kill all the joy.

There is a young man in our neighborhood whose family has very little resource. The first time he saw my fiddle, he gravitated to it like a catfish rising to dough bait. I spoke with his parents about his mucical interest. "We can't afford and instrument, and we can't afford lessons," is what I was told. A few weeks later, I was going through a second hand store. There was a 3/4 fiddle Just the young man's size. I asked his parents if it would be all right for me to buy it for him as a Christmas gift. They said that would be great. That young man has been coming for a weekly lesson since, and has made remarkable progress. I make the effort to keep the lessons fun. His grades went up in school; and he's gotten more responsible about his chores at home.

A fiddle and a little personal interest on my part have made all the difference, and I'm grateful. I haven't taken a dime for the lessons, but believe me, the reward of seeing this young man strive has been ample compensation enough!

Hardiman the Fiddler

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: GUEST,Kristi
Date: 20 Jul 00 - 11:30 PM

I am also wondering about my duaghter, just turned 6. What is a good age to start a child on an instrument? She has grown up with her parents and extended famlily playing all her life. She is pushing us to let her in the band. But, she hasn't expressed an specific interest in a particular instrument but does some simple flatfooting since I have been trying to learn myself. Should we encourage her to learn to play an instrument or wait until she asks? She truly loves to sing along and pretend to play and dance and I don't want to pressure her either. Kristi

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 Jul 00 - 11:55 PM

You might try letting her play with you in the band once in a while with a simple rhythm instrument.....tamborine, jaw bone, shaker egg, etc. Pay attention to which instrument she watches and what she asks to touch/hold. A little basic background in rhythm never hurt anybody. Or let her sing sometimes. It is amazing what songs kids can/will learn!!

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 01:31 AM

Good suggestion, Sorcha. My sister is an elementary music teacher. Her grandson is 4 years old. For the past year and a half, he and his mom have been living with her, while the Air Force sent his dad all over the place. He has had available to him, guitars, ukes, piano, and a whole bunch of rhythm instruments. She has the latter in a comfy canvas bag with a draw string. He loves getting out "Nona's" bag and making music. He has been singing and dancing since very little.

Kristi, I grew up the youngest of five and everyone made music. I remember dad letting me play with his guitar and a ukelele when I was only 2 or 3. Eventually I was the one who decided, at 8, that I wanted to play the violin and piano. So, I guess what I am saying is, expose your child to as much as possible and let them *feel* what may be right for them. I think there can be too much worry about doing it the right way, as far as getting a kid involved. They will let you know.

On the other hand, I think once they have chosen one it is important, and sometimes tough, for them to learn the discipline it takes to practise on a regular basis without a lot of nagging as that takes all of the fun out of it. I say this knowing how grateful I am that my parents ragged on me to keep up my practising and that I did not insist that my kids do the same, consequently they all had a smattering of piano and violin and that is it. Oh, well, maybe one of them will pick it up again later, eh?:-)

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 02:16 AM

Mia -

I've got to tell you about the Valley Of The Moon Scottish Fiddling School. It's a week-long camp run by the Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser, held in the Santa Cruz mountains in Northern California. People come from Europe as well as all over the U.S. to take part in this incredible week of learning, jamming, friendship, and evening parties and dances. There are quite a few children at the camp, and several have been going there for years, literally growing up with the camp. Some of these kids who are now in their twenties have found their calling after attending V.O.M. and are now making their living in traditional music. I can hardly put into words what an inspiration this camp is. The classes taught by Alasdair Fraser, Irish fiddler Martin Hayes and others is top notch, and for beginning children, there are excellent teachers for the most basic of beginning players - even for kids who have never touched a fiddle. You and your son might want to consider it for 2001, since this summer's camp filled up earlier this year. If you want to take a look at their website: [e-mail]

-chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: IanS
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 07:08 AM

Both my wife and myself play - my wife plays the flute and whistle, and I play the fiddle, guitar and piano, and so our 2 year old daughter has always been used to music making in the house. We have never forced her to try any instrument, but over the past 6 months or so she loves to blow down a whistle (even waggling her fingers as if playing) and blowing a harmonica. The joy she gets out of making such a noise is obvious to see - perhaps it is partly just copying her mum who knows ? As far as I can see, as long as the child is not going to harm itself (we always make her sit down to play and sit with her), then if a child wants to play then let them. I myself am the youngest of quite a large family and all of my family played a variety of instruments so I was brought up in a similar environment and I was never put off playing as I got older. Incidently, I never had formal music lessons until I was much older and wanted to learn further my classical piano playing.

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 08:38 AM

Excellent advice from Sorcha, twice. Especially about the bow.

The appropriate age really and truly depends on the individual. My own daughter is musically appreciative (has been sitting attentitively through organ recitals since three, where the performer is often out of sight) but until recent months (she is now eight) was hopelessly lacking in aptitute for playing an instrument.

I have a theory that it's worth doing a grade or two on piano early on, if that's physically possible (or any other keyboard if easier), because of the strong visual impression it gives of musical structure. (Eg the notes in a chord go sequentially from low to high, left to right, whereas on a guitar for instance, they make a fairly random-looking pattern. And there's no pattern at all on a trumpet.) At the very least, it's always worth having a keyboard to hand when explaining/demonstrating intervals, music notation and other general principles.

The more chances you have for your son to see and hear people playing, and perhaps to play along, the better the chances of maintaining his enthusiasm. Anyway, however you do it, good luck. If you get it right, it's going to be fun.

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 11:30 AM

Yes, Fionn, piano is very good for visuals, but difficult for little fingers. I think "keyboards" suck unless they are the really high priced ones, and those are mostly too big too. When I have a fiddle student with NO music history at all, I start them on fiddle and use the Piano just for visuals-----works great. I have a question here, for you "mavens"-----I know fiddles and guitars come in smaller sizes, but do banjos? I have never seen a 1/2 or 1/4 sized banjo............

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: GUEST,Kristi
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 06:18 PM

I haven't seen 1/2 or quarter sized, but have seen tenor banjo that is much smaller or the real small banjo ukelele. Kristi

Subject: RE: Good age to learn fiddle?
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 06:44 PM

Yes, tenors are smaller, but still full sized instruments. I think a 10 year old would have trouble with tenors, too. I have seen banjo ukes, but just how much actually tranfers to a "real" banjo? I don't know, am asking.