The short answer to this question is "yes". All children can benefit from music instruction, and many of the children who enjoy it the most are not the ones who have enough talent to be the next Itzhak Perlman.

Much research suggests that students who receive music instruction do better in their other classes, and this effect may show up strongest in math class.

If you still don't want to bother with music lessons unless your child shows some natural aptitude, consider the following questions:

• When your preschooler sings alone, is the tune accurate?
  
  
• When he sings with others, does he follow the contour (the ups-and-downs) of the melody correctly? Does he try to find correct pitches, even if the song is being sung too high or low for his voice?
  
  
• Does her play-time include singing and dancing even when an adult doesn't suggest it?
  
  
• Does he learn a song more quickly than the other children in his class? Does he still remember many songs a long time after learning them?
  

Catherine Schmidt-Jones attended Rice University, completing a B.A. in chemistry as well as the B. Music and M. Music. Currently teaching brass and guitar privately. Further information can be found at connexions.