The Private Lesson Advantage

Why take private lessons? Look at it as an investment into your child’s academic and musical future! I would say the majority of instrumental students in a band or orchestra are the top seated players because they take private lessons. They are rewarded for their efforts and gain quite a bit of self-confidence and tend to have higher scores academically.  

I can’t think of too many pianists that have achieved an adequate playing level without a teacher. So why don’t parents have that same approach when their child starts on a band or orchestra instrument? Many times I hear parents say, “Oh, they have lessons with the band director.“ These are small group lessons where learning is at a slower pace than private lessons. It’s a challenging setting for the child to focus on and master techniques. They get the basics and after that, everything else is taught during the large group band/orchestra class. Now the efficiency and speed of acquiring a skill is slowed down again. There are exceptions but I’m referring to the majority of players.

A private lesson teacher has the expertise and experience on a specific instrument which allows them to teach mastery of techniques quickly to students. Students create a discipline for practicing which enables them to increase their playing ability and they are accountable to the teacher on a weekly basis to show their progress.

We know practicing is at an all time low over the summer break, so schedule summer lessons so their skills stay sharp. In the fall they won’t feel like they’re relearning how to play. Any child will benefit from the one-on-one opportunity. Also take advantage of the lesson scholarships the Lakewood schools offer during the school year and the summer.

Sharon Marrell, a Lakewood resident, owns Marrell Music and has been a repair technician for over 20 years.