Name: Spreading the Feast Gathering
Start: 2025-07-11T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-07-12T23:59:59-05:00
Location: LaGrange, KY

Tagged: beginners, music lessons, piano lessons, recorder lessons, simply music

This topic has 11 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 11 months ago by artcmomto3.

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)

Author
Posts
July 18, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Delkroemer
Participant
My oldest DD is very interested in learning to play an instrument, as she loves music and dancing and singing.
I have looked around my area for lessons for her, but none are very affordable or work with our family’s schedule and I’m not sure I want to have her do formal, expensive lessons right now at her age anyhow.
So, I am looking into Oak Meadow’s recorder book for beginners, have you used it?
Have you taught your child/ given music lessons yourself? I don’t play any instruments myself, so I am definitely
starting very small and the recorder seemed the way to go. Do you have any recommendations on recorders to purchase for beginners?
Thanks!
July 18, 2012 at 9:08 pm
momto2blessings
Participant
I’m not familar w/Oak Meadow, but we loved this: http://www.pennygardner.com/penny_s_recorder_books.html. It was super easy to teach and learn. I do have a little music background, but think it would still be easy to teach w/o it. We bought quality, but affordable recorders…Periwolt something? I can check if you like. I’m thinking of selling our book and recorders since the kids have moved on to other instruments…but like it so much I’m not sure:) Blessings, Gina
July 18, 2012 at 9:10 pm
momto2blessings
Participant
Oh, just noticed that on that site they recommend a certain brand. I’d trust that, if you go that route. I bought from who they recommended years ago and it was nice to have something that seemed like a ‘real’ instrument in quality, but was very affordable. :)Gina
July 18, 2012 at 9:23 pm
jmac17
Participant
I can’t help with info about the recorder, but I have been teaching myself and my daughter the violin. It can be done! I do have some music background, but not on stringed instruments. My best tip is to pick a program, like the one you mentioned, and then check YouTube. I’ve learned so much from watching different teachers and students on video.
Also, one challenge I’ve found is the it’s easier to let practice slide than I think it would be if we had a teacher to be accountable to each week. With all the other things we have going on, it takes a real effort to be consistent with the violin.
We are both really enjoying it though! Actual lessons might happen next year, but for now this works it our schedule and budget.
Joanne

July 19, 2012 at 2:28 am
suzisue
Participant
I am currently teaching piano to my girls using Simply Music. I actually taught piano lessons years ago, but the method Simply Music uses is SO much better than how I was taught to play and teach. I have found that the newer digital pianos can be very reasonably priced and have a very realistic sound, plus they are much smaller than a traditional piano. Here is a link to the Simply Music program: http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/simply-music/?c=1 This would probably have enough lessons to last at least 1-2 years, even longer if you are like me and aren’t as consistent with teaching the lessons as you should be 😉
July 19, 2012 at 5:50 am
missceegee
Participant
I have a copy of Simply Music I’m willing to sell, if anyone is interested. We found a great piano teacher so it’s sitting unused. PM me if interested.
Christie
July 19, 2012 at 11:09 am
Delkroemer
Participant
Thank you for all the replies ladies, I’m checking out the links and feeling much better about giving beginning music lessons at home now .
July 19, 2012 at 1:02 pm
artcmomto3
Participant
How old is your DD? If she is young I would start with a precorder or flutophone as the holes are smaller for smaller fingers. This will allow her to master the tone much more quickly without so many squeaks due to not covering the holes well.
Another option is to look for a music class or co-op where music is offered where she can learn the elements of music.
July 19, 2012 at 6:35 pm
ima2
Member
Christie,
How have your kids transitioned from Simply Music to lessons with a teacher? Are you using a tradtional teacher or a Simply Music style teacher? I became interested in using Simply Music with my dd when my friend came to visit with her children and her 8 year old son headed straight to the piano. Not only did he WANT to play, but he was actually playing recognizable songs! They have only been using the program since January. Needless to say, I was very impressed!
Rachel
July 19, 2012 at 6:57 pm
missceegee
Participant
My kids didn’t use it at all :(. We found a lovely teacher (not sm) and went with her. My dd11 actually has 2 teachers- one in Switzerland who gives lessons via Skype (dear friend).
I have heard good things about it, however.
Btw- I sent the info for paying via pm.
Blessings, christie
July 19, 2012 at 8:04 pm
Delkroemer
Participant
@artcmomto3, do you know if I could use a recorder book and sheet music with a prerecorder? Or are they totally different?
July 19, 2012 at 8:47 pm
artcmomto3
Participant
Same fingering, just smaller holes for smaller fingers.