To really want ds age 4 to start learning to play an instrument?

[GoingLoopyLou]

When is a good age to start?

I'd like him to learn piano, he says he wants to, but I think he'd say that if I suggested he learnt to play a corn on the cob, don't want to be too pushy and am guessing his fingers wouldn't be able to cope with piano yet.

When did your dc start to learn to play an instrument and what was it?

Thanks

A decent xylophone is a good start.

I would think he's a bit too young at 4 - about 6 sounds about right for the piano. It's hard - I'm learning myself and you REALLY have to concentrate!

I am a violin/viola teacher who specialises in teaching very young children. 3/4 years is the optimum age to start a stringed instrument, provided they have plenty of support at home with practise. If you are not that interested and will be expecting them to practise on their own, if you are not a string player yourself and can't be bothered to come into lessons and take a real interest, then save your money and the teacher's time and leave it until they are about 9/10.

If you have visions of them going to music college and maybe doing it for a living then if they haven't started by the time they are five, you have probably "missed the boat". Certainly, older children will appear to learn quicker in early stages but, if you look at college students, well post grade 8 standard, with very few exceptions, the better students are the ones who started younger.

Of course bow hold matters, as does the way they hold the violin. It is an extremely physical instrument and, apart from setting up all kinds of physical problems in the future from putting too much strain on young joints/muscles/tendons, they will only have to "relearn" later how to hold the bow/violin "properly" (though there's no absolute "proper" way as we are all built differently, I prefer to say "for optimum efficiency"). The problem with very small children is, how to make it all fun and joyful whilst "hiding" the installation of good technique (rather like the "spoonful of sugar") in the sessions!

There's nothing wrong with introducing all manner of instruments really young. My boys had experience with guitar and piano (as that's what was in the house) and the pre-school and school they attend was great at having visitors who played a wide range of instruments, the familiarity without pressure fostered a love of music that came from them, rather than from my wish for them to play a certain instrument to a certain grade.

My eldest has fallen for the guitar and hasn't had formal lessons yet, but does know a few chords. I think my youngest will settle on the drums gulp I'll encourage it, but won't insist they do grades.

Frantic dh started piano at 14 and voice at 16 and went to music college (thought I know he is the exception)

I started vioin at 4, using the Suzuki method. I loved it and still play now, I have played for so long now that it is a part of me and I don't remember learning as such just always being able to play. My mum tells me that there was no screeching violin practice even when I was small.

I don't know where you live but check out Cellobabies or Music babies online. Sadly we don't have one near us and local string teachers say they don't have the resources to teach ds3(4)although he appears to be very musical.. Ds's 1 and 2 both play violin but started at 8 and as frantic51 says I feel we may have "missed the boat."

I was told that a child's lung capacity is too small to learn a wind instrument till they are at least 8. I was also told that the violin is quite a hard instrument to learn.

If I were you i would start with the piano or guitar.

my little boy has started playing the cornet and did his first concert last week I was so proud I cried! He goes every saturday to learn with the trg band and its the first thing hes expressed an interest in doing really. I think it will also help him when he goes up another year in September as they can learn other instruments I believe..

My DD started the violin at 5 doing Suzuki method. Learning is via ear, rather than reading music and formal, so she really enjoys it. Started with learning rhythms and just progressed onto tunes-twinkle twinkle for a while. DD's teacher's DD is 4 and learning the piano through Suzuki too. If he wants to learn then go for it:)

DS started learning the Cornet last year age 8.
Thinking on it, it was probably a good age to start with regard to breathing, fingering etc..

Much better to start later.
The pressure is on you, the parent, to supervise all the practise otherwise.
A cousin who is a piano teacher, says 7/8yrs is better, as they cover the same ground much more quickly, and have already mastered reading and writing, so not struggling with another form of notation.
Something which doesn't require practice is a much better use of your time at that age imo, dance is good or any sport really.
There is nothing to stop you singing at home with your child, and listening to lots of music with them, if you want to get them off to a good start.

elphabadefiesgravity. One wouldn't expect to start voice until 14/16 especially if one is male. That's quite late to start piano and get in so well done he if he went as a pianist rather than a singer! Does he work as a professional performer now? The problem is that something like 70 -80% of music college graduates won't earn a living as a performer when they leave.

Sorry, I was talking about string players. I think 6/8 is probably the optimum age to start piano as you need a reasonable hand span (no reduced size pianos ). Brass instruments are usually, I am told by brass colleagues, best started after adult front teeth have appeared. Likewise with most wind instruments I would imagine.