Are There People Out There That Do Free Music Lessons??

I grew up in a very musical family and studied music in college, so I definitely understand and share your desire to encourage music with your little ones. Honestly, what you are doing now is great for his age.

Most instructors/musicians don't recommend starting children in formal or even regular lessons until they are about six years old...even older(sometime between 2nd and 5th grade). The reason is that, by then, the attention span of most children is more equal to the demands of learning the piano. Much of learning to read music and play the piano requires semi-advanced language and math skills. Understanding tempo and rhythm requires addition and division, and "theory" is literally music math.

As for now, encouraging free expression and familiarity with instruments is perfect and a good way to help your son develop an ear for melody and pitch recognition. Unless you are pushing for a child prodigy, just singing and encouraging involvement in music will help him develop on his own.

On the other hand, some start their children in music groups that help children recognize more of the formal elements of music (rhythm, pitch) in an informal environment around age four. I just moved to the area, so I am no help in recommendations, but I am sure there are other moms who would love to get together for a "music time" with their toddlers without paying a fee. I know I would! And, you already have such an advantage that you have a piano for experimenting and playing. I am definitely jealous. :)
Anyway, let me know if you find more interested moms or if you decide to do something on your own and I would be happy to talk more with you about it. Good luck with his creative mind! He sounds exceptionally bright for his age. :)

T.,

I would suggest two different ideas for this.

The first, is if you are at all involved in church they often have music and there are often willing people that would teach your child. I grew up in church that was strongly into music and I have loved to sing all the stuff I learned and that experience lead me to play the flute as well. However, of course it would be towards playing in the church music program.

The second, is to buy the books for teaching your child yourself. I mean if their first learning to play then it's not like you can't figure out the first steps. Later, they will play in school too, so it's a good introduction. You can often find these types of books at a used music stores or stores like Powells Books in downtown Portland(it's online too). There are some smaller used book stores around town as well you could look into, check the yellow pages.

Good Luck,
G.

I think it is so awesome that you are nurturing your son's interest in music. Definitely keep up the good work there. As far as lessons go, I've read and heard from other moms that 4 years old is the magic number for starting with music lessons. I don't know your child, but I know that some 4 years olds wouldn't take well to formal one-on-one lessons, so maybe take him to a music class at your local community center. I know that the Sellwood one has a music class and they probably have an age guide in the catalog description (not free, maybe $15-$20 for a few weeks). I bet you have a friend who might show you to play some chords. I learned guitar in junior high from a teach-yourself-to-play type of book, maybe see if your library (free!) has something like that. Check/ post on CraigsList for free lessons too! Good luck!!