When did you start your child on an instrument?

[Evening Mist]

Ds is 7 yo and he is learning some music theory through a regular music class at school. He is in chorus at school, and choir at church, and he is beginning to recognize written notes and shows some aptitude for understanding the mathematical aspects of music. He is a diligent kid, and he is interested in learning an instrument. But his weaker skill is definitely dexterity -- he struggles with handwriting etc.

We have a piano in our home, and access to a good piano teacher at school. The teacher says he starts kids at 7 or 8. I am interested in ds starting with him at some point, but I *really* don't want to sabotage the effort by frustrating him too early on! I want it to be a fun and satisfying challenge for him.

I'm interested in what other parents have observed with their children's experiences learning instruments.

 

[lucypevensie]

My kids are definitely too young but I was one who started piano lessons at a young age. I was 6 and in first grade. In some aspects it was good, but in too many aspects it was bad. I had to change teachers a lot (some were not very nice), I was very self-conscious and did not like my abilities to be made a big deal of--so I withdrew and my mom let me quit. I got back into it as a teen-ager, and have enjoyed it ever since. It's very important to understand the mathematical aspect of music, so that is good for your son! If you do it make sure to do all you can to make sure your son really enjoys piano playing. At his age I think making it a FUN thing should be a huge priority.

 

[coastie]

Piano is definately the way to develop some dexterity.

There are some awesome methods that they start kids out on piano with. They are aimed at children with little or no understanding of music and developing hand eye coordination.

The only problem is with their advancement through the years. My wife started playing at four and was competing with concert pieces at 10. her teacher was so good that she was able to progress to a level most adults never do by the time she was twelve.

The problem was with her scales and some of the more difficult pieces that caused her to spread out her hands more than her body would allow which lead to some serious problems with her wrists and eventually (now at 23) she has had to give up much of what she was doing through her teen years as a concert pianist.

sorry for the story, but the moral of it all is that his age is only a concern if he shows a real aptitude for playing mroe difficult pieces, then you'll want to consult a pediatric orthpedist to make sure he isn't moving too fast.

 

[KristiLynn]

My DD is 12 now and started violin in 5th grade (age 10)...about the same age I played flute in school....really it should be based on the interest of the child...no point in forcing a child to play music if they aren't going to enjoy it...

 

[momof3blessings]

I agree only do it if they are interested my daughter has been playing the violin since third grade (she's now in 7th) I never pushed she's doing on her own.....

 

[Etharia]

I'm not completely sure if not forcing a child to play an instrument is the best idea. I don't have any children, however, I do know a few people who started playing an instrument when they were young but didn't want to. Their parents didn't make them and so they stopped. Now, all of them wished their parents had made them continue even though they hadn't wanted to at the time. It's one thing to let a teenager stop playing an instrument, but I don't nessecarily think that young children should be allowed to stop. Children don't want to use the toilet, but they still have too. I know it's not the same thing, but sometimes children need to be made to do something that will benefit them when they are older.

 

[Evening Mist]

Thanks for your POV Etheria. Actually, I don't force toilet training either! Though my experience is that children want to learn to do whatever the grown ups around them are doing.

I spoke with ds about piano lessons. Oddly, he was interested last year but not this year! So, since the piano teacher said 7 OR 8 -- I 'spose we'll try when he's 8!

 

[Peter]

Hello! I'm a band director (16 years and counting). Starting too young can be harmful! (Just had to get that out there)

7-8 year olds don't know what they want. Let them explore. Give them the freedom to quit (after the agreed time limit).

I have 6 children. The biggest lesson I've learned with my kids is not to specialize. My oldest daughter took ballet at the age of 4-5. She dropped out. A year later she went back and hasn't looked back. She's 14 now and is being home schooled so she can concentrate on dance. (Her choice) Along the way she played softball, sang in the choir at school and auditioned for plays at the local community theatre. She's now back to playing the piano too.

My second daughter started ballet. Dropped out this year to do gymnastics.

My oldest son, 16, has performed roles in the "Nutcracker" for 6 years. He's tried trumpet and guitar as instruments. He gave up dance for basketball and soccer. He still plays guitar. He's also played roller hockey.

My second son, 12, wrestles, runs cross country, acts, has danced in the "Nutcracker" for 4 years and plays French Horn in 7th grade band. He also played violin for a while in elem. school.

My third son, 5, starts baseball in the spring. BTW, Big Bro 1 & 2 also played little league for a while.

Third daughter is 3.

Rennaisance children make your life exciting. We set boundries for quitting. (End of season for sports, end of quarter on dance, one month at a time lessons) Then we review and go from there. We, as parents, make some thing enjoyable or not for our children.

By being suuportive, my older three children all train on their own now. We don't push them (really). They have experienced success and failure. The things they like they pursue, the things they don't, they won't.

If your child wants to play piano, let him. But set a short "Stick with it goal" of about a month. If he doesn't even know piano exists, take him to a piano concert. Let him see what can be done. Then see if there's any interest. (That's how my oldest daughter started dancing)

Remember, they are children, not mini adults. Let them explore.

Peace.

Peter

 

[ChristianMommy]

My daughter is two and is playing the piano, not by force, but because she wants to. She sees me playing it and has loved music since before she was born. She sits on my lap and we "play" together, and we both really enjoy it. She enjoys hearing the music she "composes" and I love just getting to spend time with her. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this, it depends on the child.

 

[Salsa_1960]

I started music early but my 9yo has very little interest. I agree that you can't push it.