Children & Music

For many years it was thought that a child must first learn to play the piano before attempting to play the harp. This has proven to be unnecessary. With the availability of smaller harps it's no problem for a child to learn and enjoy this instrument.

Case in point, my granddaughter. She had stated at five years of age "I will play the harp." So we bought her a small harp and I began to teach her, I could tell immediately she had a good ear for music. During the ensuing years there have been a couple of turning points. Times when practice seemed tedious and the demands the harp makes were hard. Only once I suggested that if she did not want to play we should sell her harp. This brought on torrents of tears and back to practice. After five years of study she desperately wanted a pedal harp. This is a big investment, and we wanted to be sure this was the road she wanted to travel. So we rented for several years. Going to college was another big mile stone. We knew she must have her own pedal harp, this time I suggested we should sell her first harp to help pay for the pedal harp. Big mistake on my part, my darling granddaughter nearly went ballistic. "We can't do that," she cried "I have an emotional attachment to my harp." I said, "But you don't play it any more." Her heated response was "But I just want it in my room." So I promised never to raise the question again. Actually she has used it on several occasions for harp therapy and when teaching a student.

I would encourage all who have connection and influence with children to encourage those children to play an instrument particularly the harp or violin. It's the stings which are important. The child does not have to become a full time musician. But music training actually will enlarge the brain. Music lessons appear to strengthen the links between brain neutrons and build neural bridges for good spatial reasoning. The self discipline, and concentration and hand eye coordination needed to play a instrument transfers to other areas of study. This is particularly benifical for children with special needs.

Age 10

Age 18

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