Piano Lessons...

ive heard teachers starting at 3 years. so perfect time!

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That's wonderful that your daughter loves music. Have you considered Kindermusik classes for her? Kindermusik is an exciting way to learn about music in a very developmentally appropriate way. It's an internationally acclaimed curriculum designed by experts in education, music and child development and is taught in Ames by J. Keeling. Visit http://www.EarlyChildhoodMusicOfAmes.com for more information, short video clips of classes, testimonials from parents and an opportunity to register for a FREE preview class. Classes available for all ages 0-7yrs and piano too. Now enrolling for Summer Camps!

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Hi H.! I teach piano and my criteria is that they have to know how to read. I usually start students at 1st or 2nd grade. However, since your daughter loves music I think if you found a kindermusik program (I would love to start one but don't know if it would be well attended in my rural area) or a similar class that would be wonderful! I think a music class that is fun and doesn't have a daily practice time(such as piano lessons), would make her love for music grow as opposed to it being a chore to have to practice.
That being said, only you know what your child is ready for so if you think she is able to do a daily practice routine and you find a teacher who is great with little ones then go for it! It is a skill that lasts a lifetime!
Have a great day!

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Most piano teachers will start taking a student when they have the patience to sit still and listen for a short amount of time (30-45 minutes), can count (to at least 10), and know their ABCs... I've just recently started teaching and prefer that a child is in kindergarten... But, if I were you, i would contact teachers in your area since each teacher is going to have different rules for starting. Good luck... Piano lessons are something you and your daughter will really appreciate in the end!

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We recently got a piano. I called around for prices and such. The one told me my daughter had to be in 2nd grade because she wants them to be able to read. Everyone else said she was old enough now. My daughter is 7 years old and in first grade. Your daughter may be too young. Don't be too discouraged, time flies and your daughter will be 7 before you know it!

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My 7 year old son takes piano lessons and his teacher had him start at 6 but with a girl maybe at 5 you could start. I think it mostly depends on the teacher.

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Start now. If she's showing an interest, nurture that and help her to grow in her love of music. My nephews and niece all started at 3 yrs. of age and are INCREDIBLE pianists now.

Good luck and have fun.

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I teach piano to about 10 students per week. I think the youngest I would recommend is 5. In my experience, I've found that much younger than 5, it is hard to retain their attention for a lesson, and have them grasp the concept that they have to practice on their own during the week. Of course, this all depends on the child, but I've found 5 to be the absolute youngest I'd go. Best of luck! A. L

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Age to start depends a lot on the teacher. I found a teacher who would start them at 3 (Suzuki Method) and started several neices and nephews with this teacher and they loved her. I had my daughter start with her when she was 2 1/2 because the teacher was familiar and comfortable with my daughter. I would recommend the Suzuki Method for Piano or the Little Mozarts Method Books.

They do not have to read music for them to start learning. There are specific books that do not include staff lines at the beginning just so that the children can get used to playing before teaching the staff lines and note names. I would say if you can find a teacher to start her....GO FOR IT! Music makes such a difference!

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I started my daughter in fourth grade. You might want to check with the teacher on how young they take them. Dance is something she can do now.

M. C.

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Hi H.,
I think if your sweet little girl is talking about playing piano then she should start. My boys started guitar at the age of 5 or 6. YOu could take it slow and see if she is interested and if not then introduce it to her later.
Good Luck!

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Hi H.--As someone who has taught piano lessons, I would encourage you to find someone who specializes in young children. Traditional piano methods (even pre-reading methods) are often beyond the scope of children who haven't started school yet and aren't able to understand the concept of time signatures etc.

The Suzuki method is often encouraged for young beginners--it focuses on ear training and memorization, adding notation later on when the student is more ready. The training for Suzuki teachers is special, so it's not available everywhere you go.

If you don't want to go the formal lesson route, look for some group classes that focus on the love of music and incorporate listening, rhythm, and movement. One example is kindermusik (go to kindermusik.com to see if there is a teacher in your area). This group class is for babies all the way up to 8 year olds and is really fabulous.

Good luck with your music quest--I believe it is one of the universal languages of the world!

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I am a piano teacher, and have had great success teaching students that are 4. At this age, I prefer to teach with the parent as a "partner." This is because it is harder for a 4 year old to organize a practice session and the parent is expected to play along during the lesson and at home. It really increases the fun for both parent and child, though! What I have noticed is that even though sometimes a 4 year old cannot demonstrate absolutely everything that they understand, as coordination develops all of the sudden these young students take a leap forward...like their hands catch up. Often a 4 year old is able to do everything right away, including the note reading.

The right teacher is important. I think it takes special training in working with young students. The approach is very different.

There were other ideas posted that are terrific. Dance, clap to music, enjoy!

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As a piano teacher - I would tell you that it depends on the piano teacher. First you have to find that one that is willing to work with younger children. I have a number of 5 year olds that I teach; however, ability and practice discipline really varies at this age. One reason why a lot of teacher won't take younger children is simply because their hands are small and may not grow as quickly as the child progresses. Long fingers are helpful when starting younger children. But fostering a love of music at any age by having musical instruments around as well as playing a variety of music on the radio or CD player is also encouraged.

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I actually work for a music conservatory and am also a music educator. My advice would be to have her take music classes that focus on developing rhythm skills and building basic music concepts or a beginning piano class (group setting). Most children are ready to begin private piano instruction between the ages of 5 and 7. This coincides with being physically ready for the piano and also beginning reading skills, which help tremendously in reading music. Good luck!

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Before you pay for formal lessons, be sure you and she have exhausted all of her OWN resources for exploring and delighting in music.Notice the "music " in everyday things such as different pitches of the shower,the fridge humming,the clickety clack of dogs nails on the floor, a straw going in and out of a plastic drink lid. Notice and create rhythm by making drums of everything and play copycat games repeating each others patterns.Notice patterns in everything from wallpaper to poems that you read aloud. Get really really good at counting. Music is understanding pattern, rhythm, sound. Those things are found everywhere to delight in: nature, books, the syllables in her name!
She can make instruments out of many things, or get used from Goodwill , garage sales, (drums, little keyboards, guitars).
Unless you have a personality conflict with her,or she is pushing you to find someone to teach her something specific, there are still a couple years of music making that you can do with her her and she can do on her own before you need to pay someone.
The key is that she delight and OWN her music and music making.Lessons require practice.Suddenly the notes and the music is judged "right" or WRONG. The work required when someone else has taken charge of your music can spoil the natural delight.Unless she is insisting, just let her make music her own way and applaud each and every sound!

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Hi there-
I teach piano lessons and recommend to all my parents that they start when their child is reading proficiently and knows the difference between their right and left hand pretty solidly. Otherwise when they are trying to learn the music theory they get slowed down and behind with figuring out the reading and which hand should be playing what. Usually around 1st grade is the earliest I will take for students. However there is a series that starts kids as early as 2 and uses a picture technique instead of reading. I can't remember the name of it off hand. Hope this helps!
K.

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I was told they have to be able to read music before they start but then again, with a private teacher they can learn the basics at her age I am sure. Good luck!

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As a child I wanted to take piano SO much but my mother heard to wait until 3rd grade or so. Well, I think it was too long to wait and if a child is ready and interested, I would start them then. Of course you'd need someone who specializes in younger children.

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A relative (who has given lessons for 20 years) usually suggests waiting until a child is in second grade--that way their fingers are strong enough. She will start an occasional first grader--if the child is really interested and the parent is committed to not letting the child quit right away. Younger children will usually make slower progress, especially because reading can be part of the lesson practice. If your child starts young, be prepared to be actively involved with practices. The other concern about starting young is whether the child is really committed to doing the necessary practicing. If practicing becomes a battle at such a young age, the child can be turned off of playing piano entirely. Sometimes at a young age just encouraging them to play around on the piano--even making up their own "songs"--can be enough to keep the interest alive until their fingers are strong enough and they're mature enough to handle the practicing.

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It really depends on the kid, I think. My mom who used to teach piano thinks that 7 is the best age to start, but we just started in group Yamaha lessons and my 5 year old loves it. There are younger kids in the class. It's fun but not too intense. I also recommend Music Together and other group classes like that. We started those at 8 months! (Very popular as a mommy & me activity in LA.)

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H... Hi, I don't know where you live..but if you live near Hartland there is a great program for kids.. called "Kids on Keys".. during the summer there are other programs available also.. the program explores various aspects of music including the piano. The programs are taught at Hartland Music.

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Someone else recommended the Suzuki method for young children, and I would second that. My son started piano the year before kindergarten and has now taken for 2 years. He is doing really great and has learned SO much in that time. And a lot of teachers wouldn't have considered starting him until now. I know kids that have started as young as 3 in Suzuki. The only thing you really need to think about is that Suzuki is an extremely parent intensive technique. You need to be willing to be a very enthusiastic and patient participant to have a successful Suzuki experience. It requires that you practice with your child daily basically.

I have a 3 1/2 year old daughter and we will probably start her on an instrument before too long! She seems more ready for Suzuki since she is a 2nd child.

Good luck!

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Hi H.,
I have been teaching piano for 10 years and the earliest I start lessons is at the age of 7. I have started students at the age of 4&5, but in the end they don't really seem that far ahead. I think it is important for them to be able to read and to have the patience to practice. Starting the child earlier can make music more of a chore than fostering a love for music. As in the above comments, I would also suggest finding a kindermusik program or Music for the Young, something where children enjoy music together. A rigid program is difficult for a young child and can be quite frustrating for both the parent and the child.

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In my experience as a piano teacher, most kids have the necessary skills and attention span around 7-years-old. The youngest successful student I have had was 5.

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It really depends on what the teachers in your area are willing to do & what programs they are familiar with. Also if your child has the attention span to sit for as long as the teacher requires. It's important to find a teacher who has a music TEACHING degree (not just a music degree), & is able & willing to work with a child who might have a shorter attention span than she is used to, changing things up as needed.

We have 4 children. The 1st started when she was 7. The 2nd started when she was 4 (Little Mozarts program). That teacher wanted her to be able to count, know her colors, & recognize & be able to write her letters from A-G. The 3rd started when she was 3 (with a program that included rhythm instruction & singing & dancing as well as note recognition/playing--I think it was called Harmony Road). I haven't started the 4th yet, but he sings along with me when I play piano (matching pitch), & sings with us as family (with some of us singing in parts, so he has to stay with those that are singing the melody). We also work on rhythm by clapping/tapping different rhythms to music on the radio & dancing.

The 1st is still taking piano (at age 14). She quit for a few months a few years ago & missed it so much she asked to go back. The 2nd switched from piano to flute at age 9 & is quite accomplished for her age at that. She also still plays piano for fun (she's 11 now). The 3rd is still playing piano at age 7 & just competed in her first competition (it went well). The 2nd & 3rd are nearly playing at the level of the oldest. The oldest hasn't progressed as quickly, in spite of being more motivated generally, so the older age of starting did have in impact, I think.

Your motivation is important too. We are not parents that want our kids to become virtuosos! We've encouraged music participation because it improves brain development/academic performance, & as a music loving/involved family, we hope to foster a life-long love of music & fun for them. I guess my point is that while learning an instrument does take time, effort, & a measure of discipline & work, it should at least almost always still be fun!

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I have three sons 10,5 and 19 months. My oldest started at 6 and my 5 year old started last summer two days after his turned 5. I put my 19 month old on the teachers waiting list already. When I put my middle one on the waiting list he was 15th in line, otherwise he probably would have started when he was 4. My boys really enjoy it. They are getting so good and I feel that piano has helped them in school and with confidence. My 10 year olds golf instructor was thrilled to know he was taking piano, because he said that piano helps kids with golf. Who knew! I have only positive things to say. I am even thinking about starting lessons!!

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H.,
It looks like you got a lot of good advice, but I'll add my two cents anyway. I have a 7 year old and a 5 year. They have both been playing piano for over a year. They both read music now, even though the younger one is just starting to read words. I saw some people had issues with finger and hand size. My younger one has small hands and still does fine. They are not taking any special theories like Yamaha. We just found a great teacher who had taught her own kids, as well as others, from a young age. If you think your daughter is ready, look for the right teacher and give it a try. It has been wonderful for us, and both boys love it. My 16 month old loves to dance and push a few keys while they play. Good luck.

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