Music is perhaps the art that connects with us most easily and which touches us most deeply - just think of the ways in which our culture is dominated by music of all sorts and the way in which music plays such a key part in forming or triggering memories. And yet still, the idea of learning to play an instrument, or to sing, can seem like something complex and inaccessible. This needn't be the case. 

Music is part of the National Curriculum in this country and as such is available to all children in state education. Beyond schools there are many inexpensive local organisations and groups that can encourage children to learn and practise music. And even children who are not tempted by the more traditional instruments such as violins and pianos might be interested in drumming or playing the guitar - it's how most pop bands begin.

Learning to play an instrument takes time and practice but the pleasures and benefits it can bring are many. It can offer a child a huge sense of personal achievement - something done in their own space, at their own pace. Whilst performing or playing with other musicians can develop social skills as well as confidence. And music is something that can reach out to and be mastered by disabled. Evelyn Glennie, one of the world's top percussionists, is profoundly deaf, and music as therapy continues to gain ground in this country.

Age is no deterrent to learning music. Children can develop musical skills whilst still toddlers. 

GETTING STARTED

Children can begin to learn a musical instrument or to sing at almost any age. Certain teaching methods promote teaching music to the very young, such as the Suzuki method, a system of teaching originating in Japan and based on children playing scaled down instruments. Most private teachers will be happy to take children from school age upwards. One rule of thumb is that if a child is old enough to read, they are old enough to begin learning an instrument. And there are even opportunities for children too young to play an instrument to develop musical and rhythm skills.

The choice of instrument obviously has to take into account the age and physical capabilities of the child, but perhaps more important is that the child approves the choice of instrument. With music, learning comes down to practice. If the child likes the instrument, then there is more chance they will put in the essential hours.

Many children will chop and change between instruments before they settle on one, so it's a good idea to look into hiring an instrument rather than buying at first. Schools are a good place to ask about hiring an instrument, or local instrument shops. The British Music Yearbook, published by Rheingold, has a nationwide list of places that hire (and sell) instruments. (As its title suggests, this book is a useful resource for many things to do with music in the UK.) 

When it comes time to buy you will find that there are many good, second-hand instruments around. If your child has a teacher, then that teacher will be able to guide you in where and what to buy. Also, don't neglect small ads in newspapers and magazines.

FINDING A TEACHER

Many schools will offer children the opportunity to learn an instrument. But even if you are looking to supplement whatever the school offers, schools can still be a good place to start looking for an out-of-school teacher.

Local libraries also often have information about local music teachers and youth music events.

The Incorporated Society of Musicians (Telephone: ) has a register of approved teachers throughout the UK. All their teachers have formal qualifications or at least three years teaching experience, and are bound by a code of conduct. On their information page, the Society also has a recommended price guide for private lessons, but note that this is only a base recommendation for newly qualified teachers, and you should expect to pay more for experienced teachers. According to this guide, the going rate for a teacher is Ј18 per hour. Very good information can be found on their website, now accessible to members only (unfortunately we do not have permission to link to it).

They also can put you in touch with teachers who specialise in teaching disabled children. 

The Musicians Union (Telephone: ) can also provide a list of teachers in your area but they do not offer recommendations. 

MusicTeachers.co.uk is a free service that aims to support musicians in every area including performance and education. They offer a database for finding a music teacher near you and also offer very sound practical advice about finding a teacher. Their site lists music schools as well as offering an online journal with articles and essays about various aspects of music and music education. They also provide resources for teachers, with information about exams and syllabi which can also be useful for parents. The site offers to address any queries you have about any aspect of music or musical education if you e-mail them on help.

Otherwise, certain of the music colleges can put you in touch with graduates now teaching. The Royal College of Music, for example, offers this service. Telephone: for information or contact them via their website.

If you are looking for your child to join a class or group (this probably serves younger children better) there are also a number of private music tutors and centres across the country that offer classes. One such, The Hindhead Music Centre based in Surrey offers classes especially for children. They provide tuition based on the Suzuki method of teaching (where young children are taught on scaled-down instruments, in groups) as well as classes catering for disabled children. They also offer summer courses for children.

Da Capo music tutors (e-mail: info or call ) have links with Trinity College of Music. They offer musical courses and classes for children (and adults) from aged two upwards. Classes for the very youngest children teach pre-instrumental musicianship based on songs and games. They have various classes at venues across London throughout the week but will also set up ad hoc classes for a minimum of seven children. Interested parents can view classes or demonstrations at the Trinity College of Music, but contact Da Capo directly for information.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A TEACHER

In the earliest stages of learning music, group classes can work well, but there will come a time when your child's musical development will be best served by individual tuition. It's worth remembering that when this time comes, your child will be spending time alone with their music teacher - often in that teacher's home. So choosing a teacher is something that should not be done lightly. 

From a child-safety point of view, schools are often a good place to begin your enquiries. If, however, your school cannot help, then there are other ways to both ensure your child's safety, and to provide them with a good music teacher. Just follow some commonsense rules.

Firstly, no matter how you find a prospective teacher, when you first contact them it's a good idea to begin by asking how many other pupils they already have and whether it would be possible for you to contact some of their existing pupils about the teaching on offer.

Secondly, ask questions about the kind of tuition your child will receive. What sort of music will they learn to play? Will the tuition lead to exams? Does musical appreciation or theory figure in the lessons? Are pupils encouraged to perform, or to link up with local music groups?

Also find out what will be expected of the child. How many hours practice between lessons will be required? Will they be pressured to take exams? 

And of course you will want to know what qualifications - and perhaps most importantly - experience the teacher has. Being a good music teacher is not necessarily the same as being a good musician. Standard qualifications for teaching are the degrees and diplomas awarded by the music schools and colleges. But there are also advanced teaching qualifications that musicians can study for. The Incorporated Society of Musicians is a good place to get information about these different teaching qualifications and what they mean as well as a good place to get a list of recommended teachers.

One final thing to consider is that your child will - with luck - be learning their instrument for a number of years. Their music teacher will become a regular, perhaps important, part of their lives. So it would be nice if they and the child actually got on!

EXAMINATIONS

Whilst not essential to the learning and enjoyment of music or the playing of musical instruments, examinations can give a sense of progress and achievement. There are a number of examination boards and syllabi, but the most common in Britain are those governed by The Associated Board of the Royal School of Music, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Trinity College London, and the London College of Music. 

There are exams at various levels or grades beginning with Grade 1 (with the Associated Board's Grade 5 being roughly equivalent to GCSE O level for example) but, unusually, at the lower levels of learning, you don't need to progress through the grade system (so passing Grade 1 before you can go to Grade 2, for example). However, Grade 5 (again with the Associated Board) is a hurdle of sorts. This Grade you must pass if you are to go further.

At the lower grades the exams are geared towards practical exams but as your child progresses, musical theory starts to play a part.

Your child's music teacher can offer advice about exams. Or, the Associated Board's website has excellent information about their entire examination system, its aims and basis of assessment, as well as offering practical advice to candidates. The Board can be contacted by e-mail: abrsm or at 24 Portland Place, London W1B 1LU. Telephone: .

The music exams offered by the various examining boards named above are geared to performance, and ultimately perhaps a professional career in music. However if your child wants to take his or her interest in music further, but perhaps is not thinking of pursuing music as a career, it is possible to study music within the normal school system at GCSE level and beyond.

TAKING IT FURTHER

Once the basic skills are mastered, music offers wonderful opportunities to become involved in performance at all levels. 

The National Association of Youth Orchestras represents youth orchestras throughout the UK. Their members include musical groups, ensembles and organisations that range from student orchestras to chamber music and jazz ensembles, whether independent or under the control of local authorities or music services. Their members lists can link you to approximately 50 music groups with opportunities for young players. You can also contact them by post at Central Hall, West Tollcross, Edinburgh, EH3 9BP, Scotland. Telephone: . 

The National Foundation for Youth Music (e-mail: info or telephone: ) was set up in 1999, with the help of the Arts Council of England to promote and develop music opportunities for young people. The kinds of projects they support and can put you in contact with are musically diverse, ranging from garage to gamelan, jazz to jungle, brass to bhangra, folk to funk. The organisation has (often part-time) representatives nationwide.

MUSIC SCHOOLS

There are a number of specialist music schools across Britain. These schools are aimed at gifted youngsters and the entrance to most is by audition. They can provide ideal support for children with real talent who are perhaps thinking of pursuing music as a career. Most have their own orchestras or performing ensembles and many organise tours. Some are full-time while others run Saturday classes. A few offer summer schools. Where schools charge fees the school is usually able to offer guidance about local grants and other financial help parents might be able to apply for.

The Yehudi Menuhin School founded of course by Yehudi Menuhin, offers a full-time education to musically gifted children. E-mail to admissions or contact them at Stoke D’Abernon, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3QQ.

The Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester has a Junior School that takes children from age eight to 18. Tuition takes place on Saturday during term time. Contact the Administrator, RNCM, 124 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9RD. Telephone or e-mail info.

The Royal College of Music has a junior department for young people aged between eight and 18. Lessons are on Saturdays during school terms. As well as more usual tuition on say piano or clarinet, the college also has guitar and harp ensembles, choirs and Electro-Acoustic studios. They also offer a mini-bass scheme where pupils from the age of seven learn the bass on specially designed instruments. Contact the school at Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BS or telephone .

The Junior Academy at The Royal Academy of Music offers tuition on Saturdays during school term. Based in London, it takes pupils from the age of eleven upwards. Pupils normally remain with the Academy until age 18 or 19 and the Academy rarely takes pupils on for less that two years. E-mail juniors or contact them by telephone on .

Junior Trinity, the school attached to Trinity College of Music offers courses on Saturdays in various aspects of music including composition and world music for 7-18 year olds. Contact them at Junior Trinity, King Charles Court, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London SE10 9JF. Telephone: . E-mail: junior.

The Junior School at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama prides itself on being a world class conservatoire. For a prospectus or information contact them at junior. Telephone: .

See the Good Schools Guide’s advice on choosing a music school for your child - look for 'How to Find a Good Arts, Music, Dance or Drama School' in the 'Articles' section.

MUSIC FOR DISABLED CHILDREN 

Music can be enjoyed and experienced in many different ways by children with a wide variety of impairments. Even children with severe physical impairment can experience music in terms of education, and music in terms of therapy has excellent benefits too. To find out about resources in your area, it’s worth contacting the main organisations that deal with the particular impairment your child has. Also, local education authorities and councils can often be good places to start looking (most have their own websites).

The Drake Music Project, based in London, offers practical music tuition using computer technology for people with physical impairment. (They also hold training and workshop courses for teachers.) Their teaching courses are offered to individuals, schools or community organisations and are geared towards practical music lessons. Lessons are suitable for anyone from the very youngest beginner having their first experience with music to advanced musicians. Their website offers information about their workshop and outreach activities as well as details about their regional offices. You can also telephone them on .

The Hindhead Music Centre in Surrey offers Music is Magic! courses designed for children with physical impairment. Pupils are given opportunities to create and perform music, and while the classes aim to be educational rather than therapeutic, attention is paid to nurturing physical coordination where necessary. For more information go to their website, or e-mail them on info or telephone them on .

In Scotland Artlink Central organises arts projects for children with special needs. Telephone: .

The Incorporated Society of Musicians can help find teachers in your area who are experienced in teaching disabled children. Telephone: .

The contact details for the charities and organisations dedicated to arts for disabled people throughout the UK can be found in our section on Leisure for Disabled Children.

ONLINE RESOURCES

The Internet offers a large number of online learning opportunities which serve music learning particularly well. Some are free, some you pay for. 

Of the many on offer, The MusicLand is an online community for music education offering free educational resources and materials for help with learning A-level and GCSE music.

There are also programmes you can download for free and use to enhance your child's music learning. For example, the music department of Huddersfield University has a downloadable programme that can help teach composition - apparently it's based on a kind of parlour game devised by Mozart. It's called Calma and you can access it by going onto the music department's website.

Anyone looking for further information on getting a child started on a particular instrument will find a number of online resources. The BBC has helpful pages for parents - you can read their advice on the site (look out for printable versions). Have a look at two American sites: familyeducation.com, with tips on choosing an instrument and getting kids to practice, and the National PTA site which covers choosing an instrument and an instructor and includes questions to go over with any prospective teacher.

For more information about what’s going on in your area, visit your Local Authority’s website. It can provide details on activities, attractions and services available to you and your family.