How young can a child start piano?

29 replies

MIFLAW · 09/08/2010 13:59

Fairly straightforward question - how young can a child start the piano and what, if any, special adaptations need making for a small child (don't play piano myself so don't know anything.)

Thanks.

OP posts:

elphiethropp · 09/08/2010 15:14

I think that they need to be able to read first.

Dd was 6 when she started but I was teaching her in a very non pressure lets see how you go - doesn;t matter about practice way. To send her to a teacher I would say minimum age 7.

No special adaptations are needed.

Keys need to be weighted not touch sensitive. We only have a digital piano as it needs to be transportable for dh's teaching.

MathsMadMummy · 09/08/2010 15:09

I think it's good to be allowed to mess around on a keyboard or piano from a young age TBH.

I was a piano teacher for 5 years and at my music school we mostly started from reception age with no problems.

I really don't think there can be 'rules' about this though, some are ready much earlier so why not go with it? if you're not pushing them that is, obviously. I was given a keyboard very young and before I was 3, my dad walked past my bedroom and wondered where the Bolero theme was coming from - it was me :o

sorry for shameless showing off there - but I just reckon it's worth letting a child explore the keyboard themselves.

how old is your DC?

Original poster

MIFLAW · 09/08/2010 14:57

Thanks - was he or she unusual in that respect, do you know, or do most people agree?

On a realted question, we haven't got a piano yet. How snobby do teachers get about using an electronic piano and, if this is acceptable, again, what are the practical considerations (e.g. I know they need to have a certain type of key to imitate the experience of playing a "real" piano.)

OP posts:

RespectTheDoughnut · 09/08/2010 14:01

My old piano teacher insisted on waiting for the child's 6th birthday. No adaptations that I was aware of, though.

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