DD piano progress… is this normal?

[Swinters]

DD has been playing piano for 2 months and is now looking to sit grade 1. She is 9 years old. I am so delighted for her, as she has been practicing daily without being asked (hope it continues!) and has clearly found her passion.

Her piano teacher seems to be impressed and wants her to sit the grade 1 exam soon.

I know 9 is young, but I’m a little disappointed I didn’t get her into this sooner, as she seems to be picking it up so well. Is 9 too late to start, to become a good pianist? Is her progress so far what would be considered normal for a 9 year old?

That’s amazing progress in two months! Not too late at all, it sounds like she is doing amazingly 😊 (music teacher here!)

2 months is too young to start even thinking about her “being a good piano player” tbh. Let her enjoy it as she is and don’t make it about grades or whatever. She is doing well on her own and be led by her.

FWIW I think generally the later they stay the quicker they pick it up as they are more able to understand and progress. Much like little kids who go to martial arts and take forever to work through one belt colour but if they start older they will achieve several belts within the same timeframe. 2/3 a year rather than 1 belt every other year

My DS started at 10 and made very rapid progress - did grade 2 with ease after 9 months. Before this he just couldn’t concentrate for long enough for it to be worth it. So no she’s absolutely fine

I started earlier than your daughter, had 10 years worth of lessons, managed grade 5 and now couldn’t play a single thing if you sat me at a piano!

It’s not about when she starts, it’s about how committed she is and how much she loves it.

There’s that theory that 10,000 hours of practise makes you an expert at something and that doesn’t even take into account natural ability or affinity for something so she has plenty of time!

Grade 1 after two months is really great. Does she play another instrument?

That’s so great that she is enjoying it and the teacher is pleased with her!

Don’t worry at all about her age. Grade 1 will be quite easy for a 9 year old who has 2 months experience compared to a 5/6 year old with a year’s experience. I know a lot fo teachers don’t bother with grade 1 or 2 if students are older, but I think it’s good for their confidence and enthusiasm if they are interested in doing grades.

Used to be an instrumental teacher. Theres little to no point in starting to formally learn an instrument much more before your daughters age. Progress is just so slow because the physical coordination and concentration are generally just not advanced enough in younger ones. There is the odd exceptional child though. Generally speaking those who start earlier arent any further ahead by the end of primary than those who started later.

Your daughter is progressing very well though. Thats great she's so motivated.

Oh god start them later. Started mine at 5 and had a very painful year haha! They progressed so slowly. Wish we’d waited!

@Swinters
What difference does it make? Your dd will make progress in her own time, depending on practice and natural ability.
To be honest, with it being piano, she wouldn’t have been playing in an orchestra or band anyway, so it doesn’t make any difference if she had started a few years earlier. It’s not like learning a group instrument where she could have been playing with others.

I’m a piano teacher too and agree grade 1 in 2 months is bonkers! Brilliant! The enjoyment is the main thing so sounds like she’s on the right track. A 9 year old with enthusiasm is a dream to teach (just had a lot of 6&7 years old today 😂).

Why would age 9 be too late? Too late for what? I started age 48