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Musical Instrument Guide
Don’t worry if your child does not have an instrument straight away, we do provide instruments for them to use at school. HOWEVER, they will need to either borrow or buy (new or second-hand) an instrument asap if they are to have fun and be successful in the long term.
Initially, we would expect 5-10mins practice 2-3 times/week as a beginner, building to 20-30 mins practice 4-5 times a week (this is where the fun really starts!).
Below are some details of what they need and where you can access the equipment:
GUITAR:
We recommend that younger students start with a ¾ sized Nylon String Acoustic Guitar as it is easier to play at the beginning. If they are able to use a full-size guitar it will save buying one later, but this all depends on the student. There are a few options at both Wards Music and The Rock Shop, so pop in and they will be able to help you find the right guitar.
KEYBOARD:
If you are looking to invest for the future you might want to have a look at an 88 Weighted Key Digital Piano but these can be expensive, so if you if can borrow a piano or keyboard at the start it is always good. If you would like to buy a lightly cheaper piano you can look for a 61 key electric piano. Try to get a touch sensitive keyboard if you can. Some good brands are Yamaha or Roland, or you can also look at Medelli or Casio as a slightly cheaper option. We recommend going into one of the local music shops and having a chat with the staff there.
DRUMS:
Ideally everyone would have a drum kit at home - either acoustic or (the quieter) electric kit - but as parents ourselves we understand this is not always possible financially or spacewise.
Because of this at the early stages we recommend that each student get at least a set of 5A or 7A drum sticks. They can then use a chair with a cushion on it to drum on or you could also buy a practice drum pad (which are used in class). We use these during the lessons so the students will be familiar with them. This allows them to get a similar feeling to a drum kit, without the expense, and it really helps with practising their stick work. Check out the video here for some ideas on how to set up a make shift kit at home.
Drumsticks -5A Drumsticks
Drum pads - 6-inch-practice-pad
The smaller the drum pad, the more accurate they will need to be. So if the budget allows, the bigger the better (up to a 12 inch pad!)
It is also a good idea to learn to play your exercises and beats to a metronome. You can either purchase one online or at a music store or you can download a free app that you can use on a smartphone. Try something like “Soundbrenner”.
At the end of the day, try to borrow or purchase a secondhand instrument, so you can see how interested your child is before investing too much!
Talk to your local music store if you have any further questions. In Whangarei, both Wards Music or Rockshop have been amazing to deal with.
What should I practice each week
We understand that sometimes students aren’t sure what they should be playing at home or why it matters so much. That’s why we’ve put together some simple ideas below for each instrument—things they’ve already started learning in class that can be reinforced at home.
Why is playing at home so important?
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It builds muscle memory, so playing becomes easier and more natural
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It grows confidence, helping them feel proud and capable
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It prepares them to overcome challenges—learning that if they put in the time, they can succeed
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These lessons carry far beyond music—knowing how to stick at something and see progress is a powerful skill that supports success in school, sports, and life in general
Here are some ideas to help your child stay engaged and supported at home:
Piano
Encourage your child to:
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Play their chords – Practise transitions between different major and minor chords using both the right and left hand
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Go over note reading – Use cue cards or apps to reinforce note names
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Play songs from their lesson book – Repetition helps build fluency and confidence
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Explore creatively – Try out new sounds, learn songs from YouTube or friends, or make up their own music
Drums
Drummers can:
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Play rudiments – Single strokes, double strokes, and paradiddles with a metronome or backing track
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Revisit beats, grooves and fills – Practise what they’ve learned in lessons, with and without music
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Listen and play along – Try to figure out drum parts from favourite songs
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Go over the drum notation to build fluent sight reading
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Work on creativity – Create your own groove and fills
Guitar & Ukulele
At home, students can:
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Work on smooth chord changes
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Try different strumming patterns
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Do warm-ups – Spider Song, quick-fire drills, or scale runs (they can time themselves for a fun challenge!)
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Play riffs and melodies from their lesson book
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Create their own songs – Combine chords, invent riffs, or try songs by ear
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Listen to other players – Try learning something from a favourite guitarist on YouTube
Singing
Singers can explore:
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Breathing techniques – Slow, steady breathing into the belly
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Sirens – Smooth out vocal breaks and cracks
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Switch between registers – Strengthen control over chest and head voice
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Mirror practice – Notice posture, tension, and movement habits
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Song study – Learn lyrics, melody, and breathing spots; reflect on the meaning of the song (or find their own meaning)
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Explore different artists – Try out new styles and observe different vocal techniques
