Recorder
classes have no upper age limit; currently the oldest members are 16.
There are up to 8 children in each group. Children start by learning the
descant recorder and after about three years, those that wish progress
onto the treble recorder. Once they have a good grasp of both descant and
treble, they can easily adapt also to tenor and bass recorders and then
they are grouped into consorts. There are also two large recorder
ensembles for intermediate and advanced players, most of whom are also members of a smaller EYM recorder group.
EYM owns a small number of bass recorders which can be lent to suitably
advanced pupils. All other recorders must be bought by the pupils.
Violin, viola and cello
classes are offered for two years only, normally P3 and P4 , in order to
give children an introduction to these instruments, and to give them a
chance to find out whether they want to study them more seriously in the
long term. If so, they should take individual lessons after they have
finished their EYM classes, but should not attend individual lessons while
still a member of an EYM class;
although EYM does not provide individual lessons, it
can recommend private teachers. There are up to four children in each group. EYM owns a
small number of cellos, which are available for hire to beginner cello
pupils. Violin and viola pupils are expected to buy their own instruments.
Classes are taught by
Susan Fuchs, Jean Murray &
Simon Rennard
(recorder), Gill Simpson & Anne Giles
(violin & viola) and
Mary Robb (cello).
Choosing
which instrument to learn and when can be a difficult and important
decision. All instruments require practice and dedication if they are to
be played well; there is no such thing as an easy instrument, although it
is true that an individual child may find that (s)he is more suited to one
instrument than to others. The guiding principle should be children’s
own wishes, based on which instrument they like the sound of best. A child
choosing to learn an instrument should realise that little progress can be
made without regular daily practice at home. In this respect, learning an
instrument is different from most other extra-curricular activities, where
attendance at a weekly meeting is all that is expected. It is important
that parents and children understand this before taking on a commitment to
an instrument, so as to avoid the frustration which inevitably results
from lack of progress. Different children will be ready to start at
different ages; it is usually better to wait until a child is really keen
to play an instrument, rather than push him or her into it before (s)he is
ready.
Piano
and orchestral wind instruments are not taught at EYM, but private
teachers can be recommended; children who choose to learn these
instruments are encouraged to join an EYM chamber music group as soon as
they are ready. P3 is a good age for most children to start piano lessons,
following on from the Musical Workshop classes; orchestral wind
instruments should not normally be started until P5 at the earliest,
depending on the individual child and instrument. Children who wish
eventually to learn an orchestral wind instrument are encouraged to start
on the recorder and/or choir and/or piano at P3 level. Private teachers
can be recommended for any other instrument a child may wish to learn,
such as guitar, clarsach, percussion, etc.
