I got a surprise,my 11 year old loved vivaldi in school?

Question

How do I know what to put her in music wise? I had no clue,I was shocked to find on her report card an A in music. Her teacher noted she loved Vivaldi,and enjoyed composing her own music. I do want to nurture this,this was the only A on her report card. I will be going to a music school later today. I don't want to be swayed into something she may not like. Any ideas based on what she enjoyed in school?

Answer 1

At 11, she is certainly able to choose an instrument that she would be interested in! Sit her down and talk about what instruments appeal to her.

Based on Vivaldi, I would say Violin. Piano or Guitar is always good for kids who like to compose too.

Just make sure that the school/teacher you pick is one that encourages creativity as well as teaches her the basics-- one that focuses only on scales might hamper her interest.

In addition to the lessons, I would get her some great children's music cds, like the carnival of the animals, peter and the wolf, and the vivaldi, mozart and 'beethoveen lives upstairs' story-sound tracks.

Answer 2

At my kids` school everyone gets an A in music if they participate acceptably -- LOL. ;-)  Don`t get your hopes up too far for a conservatory or concert soloist at this point. Plus everyone loves Vivaldi who likes classical music at all -- he wrote very catchy tunes.

If you did not notice your daughter`s interest in music at an earlier age than this I hardly think you have a budding Mozart on your hands.

ASK your daughter how much she is really into music from her own perspective. At 11 she should be able to decide what if any instrument she would like to play. Music lessons can be very expensive and with it comes all of the music camps and recitals etc. If she is not that into it then it will be a waste. She should be directing this and you setting limits based on how much you can spend and how much time she will commit to practice etc.

I went to school with a member of the Lincoln Center band with Wynton Marsalis; with a professional guitarist from Chicago; with a professional clarinetist in New York; with the bassist from New Monsoon; with a pianist who toured with Rod Stewart; and all of them developed their music by the time they were 7 or 8 and had been picking up an instrument and playing along with records from the time they were younger than that.

That is not to say your daughter might not have a keen interest and even some good ability but if she has not started lessons before now...you have sort of missed the boat with everything.

The music school if it is not one with the very best reputation might be oohing and aahing over her then of course hand you a hefty tuition bill. So be careful.  

I am not saying do not encourage her but you do not have to go sign her up for anything elite yet. Based on her love for Vivaldi and composing I would go with violin. It is challenging but it is a C instrument (meaning composing is easier because you do not have to change the notes to fit in  and she can play off nearly any sheet music out there-- a music teacher can explain it better) and has applications for classical and popular and folk and ethnic and even rock music.  

And unlike a piano it is portable so she can play nearly anywhere.

Good luck but don`t expect too much at her age!