Is First Grade Too Early to Start Violin Lessons?

I was 4 when I started piano lessons and 5 when I saw my brother playing violin and decided I wanted to play violin too. We studied the Suzuki method. I think it wasn't always easy to get us to practice but by the time we were 10, we were pretty good and winning competitions, which was pretty cool too. Right around middle school, we started to have other interests so we ended up quitting the violin, but then picking up a different instrument in the school band. I think had my school had symphony, I'd probably have continued violin.

On another note, I'm a first grade teacher and I'd say about 7 of 20 kids take piano classes and maybe I have 1 or 2 violinists each year. If a child has interest, I say, give it a shot! Good luck!

Hi L., I don't think it is too early at all. My daughter was 2 when she started dance lessons. Her friend was doing it, and she really wanted to, so I signed her up. My daughter is 25 and still dancing and singing. My son started to play sports at the age of 5. He loved it so much, that at the age of 21, he is still playing today, and plans a carreer in sports. As long as she enjoys it, I say go for it.

It is absolutely not too early. First grade is a great time to begin! Check out the Suzuki method at http://suzukiassociation.org/. Have fun!

My advice, Don't wait! You stated in your question that she is interested. There's no time like the present. If now is the time motivation is evident, you could miss the boat. My daughter (now 14) took the violin in 1st grade, and, although she didn't settle on that as her instrument, she learned her notes, she developed a wonderful sense for pitch, and she now sings in a special girl's chorus group and plays the flute. All of the skills she learned early on are going to good use. I'm not sorry she studied violin early. What a great use of time. May she develop a love for music and find out what makes her heart sing!

Suzuki method is designed to start kids as young as 2 or 3 on the violin! Six should be a fine time to start. Make sure you find a teacher that specializes in teaching children and be clear about what your goals are for the lessons (do you want her to be a concert violinist at all costs; just to learn to appreciate music; something in between).

My son will be 3 in January and he has been playing violin since August (emphasis on PLAYING). He just plays open strings and listens to music that he sings along with and points out the sounds of the instruments. When he's your daughters age is when I would consider actually having him learn to read music etc.

Hello L.,

6 years old is a great age to start one of the more coordinated instruments like piano or violin. This is when the child can track visually from left to right (the way you read words in a book) and coordination between the right and left sides of the body is more developed. The trick is to limit the practice time at the beginning, so that it does not begin as a lengthy chore. As long as you keep the practice limited to 5 days a week, 5-10 minutes a day at the beginning (gradually increasing to 15 minutes by the end of the academic year) Find that right teacher that supports this approach. That right teacher will also be able to suggest the age-appropriate materials to use as well. It is important to start using music and visual aids that appeal to a young child.
I am the director of the Myriad Music School in San Mateo, and we support starting violin no younger than 6. THere are other schools of thought out there, but we think this is the right age to start frustration free.

Best of luck,
S.

I think it's great she wants to start playing and is showing an interest. The younger the child, the quicker they learn. I began playing the clarinet when I was in second grade, and I loved it. I learned really quickly and was always practicing on my own without my parents forcing me. It seems to me when a child learns something at an early age they are more enthusiastic about it and more willing to practice and show it off. If she does get discouraged by the violin, ask her if there is another instrument she is interested in. Good for her, and I hope she enjoys it.

A.

I think it's a great age to start lessons. My mom started me on the Suzuki method (which others have mentioned) for violin when I was 7 years old. I continued to play up until grad school (I just didn't have time to play at that point). It was a wonderful activity for me to participate in during high school and college, in orchestras and other ensembles. I say go for it, especially if she seems interested!

A good friend of mine started her daughter when she was even younger than yours on the Suzuki method for the violin. Now her daughter is 12 and in 7th grade and practices 1.5 hours a day. She is a fantastic violinist and has moved on from Suzuki. Music is an important aspect of our lives. I say, go for it. You might encounter some push back about practicing. Be encouraging but firm. Just remember: if it's easy then everyone would be doing it! Hard work toward a goal is a great lesson for our kids.

L.

Dear L.,
I certainly do not think it's too early to get her started in music lessons of any kind. They actually pick things up more easily the earlier they start. She has to be able to take it seriously without it being more of a drag than fun. My son started taking music when he was young and has learned all kinds of instruments. They put on shows at school and it's amazing what these kids can do. They have an excellent teacher who literally plays everything and kind of matches the kids with their abilities. Their concert band literally brings down the house every single time and it gives them such a feeling of pride and accomplishment.
No pressure.....but I know a kid who got into a 4 year university on a music scholarship and he wants to be a music professor. He understands music theory and can play anything. Let your daughter go for it. Get some earplugs if necessary, they can start out a little screechy.
Now is better than later. Give it a whirl!

You had some great responses. My only caveat about starting at age 6 is that you will need to be responsible to see that she practices and practices correctly.
I teach piano from my home and I have started children as young as 5. However, if they are under 8, I tell the parent that they have to sit through the lesson and pay attention so they know what the child is supposed to be doing at home. Some kids do so well that the parent doesn't need to be there after 6 months. For others it is a longer term commitment. I am not familiar with the workings of the Suzuki method, but have heard good things about it. A good, caring teacher is essential no matter what method is used.
Good luck and enjoy having a young musician in your home. :o)

It's great to start any instrument at an early age. 1st grade is perfect. Give her the encouragement. Tell her up front that it will take a lot of work and practice daily. It will help with her academic skills too.

I don't know anything about violin, but how can it hurt? How great that she's interested. Go for it.

Hi L., I began playing at age 6 after continually begging my parents to let me try. My family is not musical. I did Suzuki method which I think is wonderful for children, having now, as an adult, witnessed other young kids grow-up with it. I'm age 33 and still play off-and-on. My violin teacher of the past 5 years will start kids as young as 4, but insists that the parents play with them for the first year or so in order to model the practice. He has students of all ages and I highly recommend him: Calvin Murasaki in San Francisco.
All the best,
B.

I think it's great. We started our twins with piano lessons at 5. They love it and at that age they learn so quickly. Have fun!

Between the ages of 4 and 6 is the perfect time to begin lessons on an instrument - do a google search under the "suzuki method" (here is a link to the wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_method). It will describe all of the WONDERFUL "side effects" of learning to read music and play an instrument. If she is interested, now is the best time to start her!
Good luck!

When I was in school (in Ohio), we couldn't start violin until 5th grade. It takes a lot of coordination, but if she's interested, see if you can find a place to rent one for her to try it out. I've been playing for 21 years, and I love it! Have fun!!!

No, it is not too early. There is a fabulous program in Venezuela where they take very small and very poor children and are put in a music program. It has been extremely successful now for many years. In fact, I believe some of the group recently played in Carnegie Hall.

http://www.boston.com/news/world/latinamerica/articles/20...

I think that if she is interested then go for it. If she loses intrest later then she will find something else. Just continue to support her in what she herself doesn't know yet, and is still trying to figure out. It's still a long way.

My son is 14 and we have supported him in the MANY different activities he has tried through out the years. And if he chooses not to continue in one, then he will find another and we are there cheering him on. So just ride it out and go along with them.

As long as you keep it fun and no pressure. And, don't make a big investment - could just be a passing fancy. Even if she gets bored now, that doesn't mean she won't still be interested later on - as long as you don't pressure her now and ruin all the fun! : ) Good luck!

Hi L.!

I don't think it's too early to start anything your children are interested in. Ever! Especially if there is interest.

The only problem I have encountered along my motherly way of active children, is sometimes 1 kid gets overwhelmed easily. The get "gung-ho", then after 2 weeks, there are exhausted, cranky and completely turned off by their life. Then good luck getting them to run errands ro drop off your other kids at other sporting events!

If your daughter is in 1st grade, then she's 6-7ish, and with ALL DAY school, homework, and violin, she might be overwhelmed. But, you will never know until you try :o) You don't want her to NEVER want to play the violin again, just because of an overwhelming experience. So, it really is a tender thought procees you need to go through and prepare for.

~N. :o)

If it's her idea then I would encourage her to go for it. Mozart was 5 years old when he started composing. If she really loves it then she'll give it her best, just be sure to give her positive feedback and let her know that mistakes are part of the process. Good luck!

Not at all. I have a friend who's daughter started that young and still plays (she's in 3rd grade now). She did require her daughter to ask for a year before she let her try (just to make sure it was really something she wanted to do).

If she learns by the Suzuki method, it is a perfect time. Check Suzuki out on line. It can be great. My son, who is almost 26 years old, started Suzuki violin in kindergarten and played up until high school. He then picked it back up after college for fun.

Music training is great for brain development, discipline, and learning.

Lots of luck and blessings,
B.

I don't think it is too soon as long as she is not pressured too much. Usually playing at school is less pressure than actual lessons but you can sign up for a month at a time and stop if it is to hard for her. Don't buy one yet. I have a bass guitar and snare drums that I purchased then my daughter lost interest or said it was toon hard. She was 12.

Actually, of all instruments, violin is great for younger children because they make violin in smaller sizes (whereas with some instruments their little fingers or arms just won't reach, or the instruments are too heavy, etc.). Just make sure you find a GREAT teacher who is accustomed to working with young children. My daughter started violin at a young age and loved it. Then she had to switch teachers. The second teacher made her cry at every lesson -- she quickly gave it up after that.