I started taking piano lessons when I was in the first grade, and intended to start the older boys fairly young as well. As it turned out, the activities we had were enough and I didn’t get started on piano. Last year, things were going better so I thought it was time to start tickling the ivories, as it were. I tried a couple of local piano teachers but they had full schedules; ultimately I ordered some books on my own and sat down with the boys at the piano.
Really, we got along pretty well and enjoyed playing together. I did discover one day exactly how badly out of tune the piano was so I abandoned the quest until we could get it professionally tuned. This fall, we started again more in earnest and made some pretty good progress.
However… We didn’t stick with it, and here it is April and we haven’t touched the books in months. The boys have been taking a sign language class with some friends and that ends in a few weeks. A friend of mine who teaches piano has time in the schedule, so we’re taking the plunge and starting formal lessons in May.
The boys are convinced that it’s possible that I’ll be ruining their otherwise very perfect and school-free summer. Overall thought - I’m not really getting a lot of resistance so we’re going to forge ahead with the plan. So. Starting piano lessons formally with two boys age (almost) ten.
I’ve been pondering what to do with the younger boys… when to start them on lessons. Just finishing kindergarten at 5 years old, I’m thinking we’ll limit them to adding Cub Scouts in the fall and that’s plenty. Perhaps in 2nd or 3rd grade.
What about you? What musical instruction (if any) does your child get? At what age did they begin? Do you want them to have that instruction for a certain length of time?
by AmyL
[tags]kids, parents, children, parenting, music, piano lessons, activities, education, discipline[/tags]
Photo graciously provided by regolare, through a Creative Commons license, some rights reserved
5 responses so far ↓
Jen_nifer // Apr 25, 2008 at 8:23 am
My son is almost 2.5. So far we’re just encouraging his interest in musical instruments. He has several toddler and kid keyboards, a recorder (plastic flute), a whistle, and I just picked him up a xylophone.
I have been thinking about when it would be appropriate to start him with lessons, but haven’t looked into it much as I figured it wouldn’t be until at least 5 or 6 years of age.
When Do You Start Piano Lessons? // Apr 25, 2008 at 8:40 am
[…] year, things were going better so I thought it was time to start tickling the ivories, as it were. Tune in (ha ha, I crack me UP) to GNMParents for the rest of the […]
Jill in Atlanta // Apr 25, 2008 at 9:40 am
We’re wondering when to start. By two our son knew the basic high note/low note/white key/black keys. He touches it with respect and makes up songs (never to be repeated!) But, at age (almost) 7, we haven’t found a teacher yet. I’m waiting for one to fall into my lap and it hasn’t happened.
I never had piano lessons but my husband plays almost any instrument handed to him. I feel that reading music is part of being literate and I want my kids to start when its easy- when they’re young. I need to look into finding someone.
Debbie // Apr 28, 2008 at 8:21 am
I started piano at age 7 at a local music school, and quit at age 12 rather than go to a conservatory : I was playing 3-4 hours a day by then, very seriously, and had no social life. I took up the flute, for group playing, until I got too good at that and encountered the same problem, and thereafter just kept learning or teaching myself new instruments until I graduated from college. I did not major in music and do not do much musically now. I regret this. I intend to bring my kids K and M, age 5 and 4, to a kids’ drumming class at a music school in the fall so I can take piano lessons at the same time. My hope is to let them see & hear me practice, see and hear the bigger kids’ lessons at the school, and want to start learning. If they don’t, I’ll be heartbroken–I’ve long known it would be difficult for me if they said no–but of course I will let them pursue their own interests.
AmyL // May 4, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Hi Jen_nifer. Surrounding your child with instruments, especially if he shows a musical tendency, is a great idea. I wonder if that has the same kind of influence on a child as having books around the house?
Jill, do you have any friends whose children are taking lessons? Perhaps you would be able to find a teacher that way. I’m not sure there is a “right” age to start. My older boys are almost ten, and we’re just getting to it now. I figure we do the best we can and try not to worry too much. Would you start in the summer or wait until fall?
Debbie, wow, 3-4 hours a day? That’s intense. I’m sad to hear that you don’t play much for the love of it now. Have you considered just having something in the house to play, thus exposing the kiddos that way?
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