LEARNING AN INSTRUMENT? HOW EARLY?

[milosmum]

my ds is almost 5 and is really interested in guitars and keyboards. We really want him to learn and intrument but how soon can you start? we dont strict lessons or anything, we want him to enjoy it but just unsure when and how? cheers

[startingtobehalloweenylover]

GO FOR IT! 5 is a great age to start. almost anything is easier to pick up if you start learning early.... look in the local papers to see if there is anyone offering lessons for kids and beginners

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[milosmum]

cheers for the advice

[Littlefish]

I started piano lessons at 6, joined a choir at 7 when I could read the words! and started singing lessons at 10.

At the school where I last taught, we started Yr2 children on cello and violin, so they were about 6 years old.

[Catflap]

It depends on the teacher, I would say. I teach piano to children and have started as young as 5, but the point of my lessons is to give an informal, fun start to playing without the pressure of pounding into exams or being really strict about it. I find that being able to read helps, although with the guitar I'm sure you could learn lots of chords to sing along to. A smaller size guitar will be needed! Why not use or buy a keyboard and a simple teach it yourself book and have a go with him on a really informal basis and see what happens?

[Milliways]

DS started guitar at 7, but wish we had started him at 6 as he loves it. He gets a private lesson and a weekly group session through the Berks Young Musicians Trust who do Kindermusik from 3, Recorders, choir, Kinderfiddle from 5 etc up to age 18.

[KiwiKate]

ds discovered my electric keyboard when he was 18mo and has been "playing" it ever since. He has figured out how to change the tempo and the instrument. He also loves his toy guitar that he "plays" constantly.

I am concerned that starting lessons too soon will cause him to loose interest (and I never intended him to to actually start playing the keyboard so young).

So I've found this thread really interesting. I'll look for a fun music group for him when he is a bit older.

[bobbybob]

KiwiKate - honestly he would be fine at a PreSchool music group now. A lot of the stuff they "learn" is useful for other activities. Keeping a beat is important for sport, crossing centre line crucial for reading, relative pitch important for talking. We have a pre school music guru in Christchurch so ds has been having a great time in his music classes (which she supervises).

I am a music teacher, so I am totally averse to pushing him (having been on the receiving end myself).

Ds gives "piano lessons" to his friends, and I give him odd quick lesson (5 mins max) when he is in the mood. he plays a C major scale and sings the notes at the same time.

I teach a 4 year old, and TBH he doesn't do much more than ds!

[milosmum]

so ladies, would you suggest i get him a keyboard and real guitar (he has toy ones) just to experiment for a while and see how that goes?

a shop near me has a childs guitar with an instruction book and 5 internet lessons for £25 is that ok?

i really dont want to pressure him into it....

[milosmum]

any?

[Passionflower]

DD1 aged 5 has just started piano lessons and loves them, she has half an hour and this is more than enough.

TBH DH could teach her but I don't think kids learn very well from parents and MIL who was a primary school teacher and is also an accomplished pianist advised against.

We are really lucky in that DH has a piano and in that we have a lovely teacher, an au pair who has studied with the Prague conservatiore and comes to us so no dragging my other 2 DD's round to a teachers house after school.

Ha, just realised how pushy mum the above sounds, the lessons are very fun based and DD1 loves them, if she didn't we'd stop and try again when she's a bit older.

[fimac1]

We used The right instrument for your child and it was spot on with my two - flute for dd and guitar for ds - they both enjoy them and they suit their individual styles of learning - well worth buying - we had it recommended to us - goes through learning styles to physical makeup (long fingers etc) Facinating read!

[KiwiKate]

Thanks for the comment bobbybob. I was rather concerned about ds loosing interest if sent to lessons too early. Your idea about group lessons is a great one.

We visited his Godfather last night, and mentioned that ds loves guitars, so the Godfather brought out his guitar. It is the first real one that ds has seen. He spent HOURS strumming it very happily - and even ignored the leggo and the cats in favour of the guitar. He loves to dance and play his toy guitar (and gives us "concerts" every day).

[bobbybob]

I think it can only increase the interest later on if when they start lessons they can already keep the beat, sing in tune, cross the mid line and do actions to music.

I'm biased because I teach groups from 10 weeks (when 2 sides of brain start forming connections). If they don't cry they are enjoying it!

[milosmum]

thanks bobbybob.... he does have a good rhythm (?) and dance and claps to the beat.... i just dont want him to feel forced into it but i think hes got a real hankering for it...

[jollymum]

Bobbybob, what are your classes called? I do the same thing, I wonder if we're the same group?!PS- if we are, I'm changing my name!!

[hallowcarla]

DD1 - not interested at all.

DD2 - completely interested.


Will let you know

[bobbybob]

Jollymum - are you in NZ too? The classes are in Christchurch if that helps to eliminate them from the enquiry.