Instrumental Lessons with Pelican Music
If you are new to learning an instrument or have any questions about which instrument would be most appropriate for your child, please get in touch. Your teacher will be able to provide information about which instruments to hire/buy if needed.
1:1 Individual Lessons
Check on your school’s page for a list of which instruments we offer, as this varies by school! Across Pelican Music, we have students learning the following instruments:
Strings
Violin
Viola
Cello
Classical Guitar
Electric Bass Guitar
Brass
Trumpet
Cornet
Trombone
Woodwind
Clarinet
Flute
Recorder
Saxophone
Fife
Keyboards
Piano
Percussion
Drum Kit
Vocal
Singing
Please note: All children will need access to their own instrument for practice outside of the lessons.
WHAT WILL MY 1:1 LESSONS LOOK LIKE?
We believe in tailoring instrumental lessons to your child’s interests, and as well as covering the basics of technique and reading music, you’ll have the opportunity to explore music from lots of genres and styles, from chart songs to musical theatre to classical music, folk tunes and more! If there’s a particular style or song you’d like to learn, make sure to let your teacher know.
Some of our students work towards ABRSM and other graded exams, and we hold concerts each term where you can show off what you’ve been working on in lessons!
When are my lessons?
All of our in school lessons take place on a rotational basis, so that students don’t miss the same school classes each week. If you’re coming to Pelican Evening and Saturday School or having lessons at home, the timings will stay the same each week.
When can I start learning an instrument?
It’s never too early to engage with music, and we’re keen to make sure that all of our children have a positive first experience with their music lessons. That being said, some instruments are more appropriate than others for young beginners.
Our primary focus is making sure that our students’ musical journey is the best it can be!
Violin, Viola, and Cello
Children in Reception can start learning a bowed string instrument. Instruments can be rented on a monthly basis, and come in lots of different sizes suitable for little fingers!
Learning a bowed instrument is a really good introduction to music. As the basis of learning is only a few notes, it is a great starter for young children. Playing string instruments also means you can play with other children in ensembles and orchestras.
Piano
Children can start learning the piano in Year 1. Most children are a little taller by this point and have slightly larger hands to be able to manage the piano and reach the pedals.
The piano is one of our most popular instruments to learn at Pelican Music. Playing the piano contributes to memory development, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills, and can therefore be a great second study instrument to learn alongside another instrument.
Guitar
We teach classical guitar from Year 1. Like the bowed string instruments, it's really important to get the correct sized instrument.
We teach classical guitar as the basis in order to give students the best start. Being able to read music and play melodies, in addition to chords, really opens up opportunities for guitarists, whether they continue with classical or use their skills to explore their favourite chart songs.
Woodwind and Brass
We offer lessons on recorder, flute and fife from Year 1. Children can start another woodwind or brass instrument from Year 2, provided they have their two front teeth!
Woodwind and brass players are a vital part of any school orchestra, often having important solos. Equally, because they are less common amongst young learners, when it comes to scholarships, bursaries, and auditions these instruments will sometimes pose an advantage!
Drums
We offer lessons for drum kit from Year 2 onwards. We know that some children might be showing some real rhythm from the start, and itching to get started. However, just the sheer size of school drum kits means we have to wait a little longer before we can start teaching our budding drummers!
A common misconception with drums is that you'll need your own kit straight away. We know that living in London, sometimes that’s not an option. To start with, we recommend getting a pair of sticks and a practice pad to practice all the different rhythms and techniques they start with. When you do want to get a kit, a great option is an electric kit, which you can plug headphones into and also packs down nice and small.
Singing
Pupils can take up singing lessons from Year 2. Learning to sing with one of our qualified teachers helps students to learn techniques and exercises that are suitable for the effective development of the voice.