Learning to play a musical instrument
What is Bedfordshire Music?|
Can adults participate in Bedfordshire Music’s activities?|
Which instrument could my child learn?|
When can my child begin lessons?|
Who is the best person to talk to about lessons for my child?|
Will my child have to pass a test to be able to have lessons?|
Where and when do lessons take place?
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Do I have to provide an instrument for my child?
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Do I have to pay for my child’s lessons?
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Are there any additional costs associated with my child’s lessons?
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How will I know how my child is doing in their lessons?|
What do I do if my child is offered lessons?|
Making music with others|
Which Instrument could I learn to play?|
What is Bedfordshire Music?
Bedfordshire Music is the principal provider of instrumental education and musical enrichment opportunities in the County of Bedfordshire.
As a pupil of Bedfordshire Music, you will have the opportunity to participate in the many musical enrichment activities organised by Bedfordshire Music, such as orchestras, bands, chamber ensembles, percussion and world music groups, instrumental festivals, workshops and concerts. In addition, our five area Music Centres, situated throughout the County, offer a wide variety of ensembles and musical activities each Saturday morning and during weekday evenings throughout the year for children, young people and adults – we even have one of the few Youth Opera Companies in the country!
Can adults participate in Bedfordshire Music’s activities?
Bedfordshire Music is committed to providing musical opportunities for everyone in Bedfordshire – children, young people and adults. We welcome adults to our five community Music Centres to participate in a wide range of musical groups and choirs each week, and in partnership with our County
Adult Learning Team, we are providing a growing number of beginner instrumental evening classes specifically designed for adult learners. To find out more about adult opportunities, please visit one of our Music Centres, or contact us by telephone on 01234 276177 or e-mail bedfordshire.music@bedscc.gov.uk|
Which instrument could my child learn?
Bedfordshire Music has a large team of highly skilled instrumental teachers who are able to teach all instruments from the string, woodwind and brass families. They also teach guitar, keyboard, piano and the percussion family of instruments, which include steel pans, Indian, African and Brazilian drums. A wide range of these instruments are offered in middle and upper schools, and strings and a small number of other instruments are offered in lower schools.
When can my child begin lessons?
Most children begin instrumental lessons at the start of the autumn term, but our teachers do take on new pupils throughout the year. The main periods for recruitment are at the end of the summer term and start of the autumn term each year.
Who is the best person to talk to about lessons for my child?
If you would like your child to learn to play a musical instrument, please make contact with the music
co -ordinator at your child’s school. They will be able to tell you about the instruments offered for tuition and how your child can get involved. Alternatively please complete the lesson enquiry form |(online form opens in new window) and an email will be sent to Bedfordshire Music.
Will my child have to pass a test to be able to have lessons?
While we would like to be able to teach every child who wants to learn, and quite often we manage to do this, when the demand exceeds the time available, our teachers and schools work together to give the opportunity to as many as possible. On occasion, teachers may also carry out some simple musical activities to help assess a child’s general musical ability, as well as assessing their physical suitability for a particular instrument. If the places for lessons are over-subscribed, potential pupils are put on a waiting list to start as soon as time becomes available.
Where and when do lessons take place?
Most lessons will be delivered each week at your child’s school by a member of Bedfordshire Music’s teaching team. Schools and instrumental teachers will often arrange rotating timetables to ensure that pupils do not miss the same class lesson each week. Some teaching may also take place at the end of the school day, in learning clubs or at area Music Centres. In the initial stages of learning, lessons are usually delivered in a group setting.
As your child progresses, especially in middle and upper schools, lessons may also be provided on an individual basis.
Do I have to provide an instrument for my child?
Many children receive lessons on instruments provided free of charge by Bedfordshire Music or by their school, but the availability of instruments may be limited. Unfortunately, we are unable to supply percussion instruments, guitars, pianos or keyboards; however your child may use their own instrument. Instruments supplied by Bedfordshire Music are loaned out for a minimum period of two years.
If a shortage of a particular instrument is delaying the start of lessons, our instrumental teachers will always be happy to give parents professional guidance and advice on hiring instruments.
We would always recommend hiring instruments from local instrumental retailers rather than buying during the first term or so of lessons.
Second-hand ‘bargains’ may not always be a good investment.
Do I have to pay for my child’s lessons?
There is a 
charge for instrumental lessons| (pdf document opens in new window). Lessons for beginner pupils are predominantly delivered in groups of between two and four children.
Bedfordshire Music is only able to offer group lessons in middle and upper schools subject to the availability of students of a similar standard to form a group. For up to date charges for instrumental lessons, please do contact Bedfordshire Music by telephone on 01234 276177 or e-mail to bedfordshire.music@bedscc.gov.uk|
Bedfordshire Music does operate a remissions policy. Please do contact us if you would like more information about this.
Are there any additional costs associated with my child’s lessons?
At the outset of your child’s tuition, you will need to purchase a music stand, tutor book, and some instrumental accessories such as strings, reeds, valve oil, drum sticks, etc. Our instrumental teachers will be able to advise you about the specific items appropriate to your child’s instrument. Music stands cost from approximately £10.00, and tutor books range between £5.00 and £10.00. As your child progresses, on the advice of your child’s teacher and with your agreement, your child may be able to take a graded instrumental examination for which there is a charge. Graded examination costs currently start at around £25.00.
How will I know how my child is doing in their lessons?
Every child who learns to play a musical instrument with Bedfordshire Music is provided with a free Music Planner each year. This book not only acts as an on-going record of work set by our teachers each week, it is also an excellent communication route between parents and teachers to ensure that everyone is kept up-to-date with both progress and events associated with your child’s lessons.
In addition, our teachers will also provide parents/carers with an annual instrumental report and parents/carers are invited to attend an instrumental parents’ evening each year.
What do I do if my child is offered lessons?
You will be given a Bedfordshire Music lesson application form and a copy of our terms and conditions. Please read this information very carefully and then complete the application form following the guidance notes that accompany it. Once we have received the completed document, your child’s lessons can begin.
Making music with others
One of the best ways for your child to improve their playing skills is to make music with other people. Bedfordshire Music organises a large number of orchestras, bands, choirs and groups for every type of musical instrument taught.
Many of our teachers are asked to organise and run groups in schools, usually during lunch times or after school. Additionally, we are extremely proud of our network of five Community Music Centres|, County orchestras and bands.