Suzuki Method. 2 year old too young?

[TankFlyBossWalk]

I am thinking of looking into the Suzuki Method to help teach DD (2 years, 5 months) piano.

Does anyone have experience of this? Is she too young?

My sister was 2 when she started piano lessons and is a successul composer now, but is this unusual?

I would imagine being a successful composer at all is pretty damn unusual! I am hoping to start my four year old daughter on Suzuki violin in the near future and think it is lots of fun for young children but would question the choice of piano - isn't it a bit difficult when their hands are so tiny? Surely something where you can get an instrument suited to the size of the child would be a lot easier and therefore more fun.

Yes, it is unusual unfortunately Horton!

I'm not sure that violin would be more manageable for a small child. Hmmm, perhaps 2 years old is pushing it. DD recognises (and presses) C, D and E on the piano, but yes she'd probably struggle with much more than that I suppose!

I hope it goes well for your DD. :)

Maybe the way forward is just to get her loads and loads of different fun instruments to try out now and wait to see what grabs her. Speaking personally, I loved the violin but it didn't suit my brother at all - he played the trumpet really well. Another brother found his instrument with the piano and my sister is brilliant with her guitar.

I got my DD a ukulele when she was two. It's sized really well for a little kid and she can now pick out a few simple tunes on it. I don't suppose she'll want to take it forward long term but it has been a lot of fun for her and that's the main thing at this age, IMO.

I think Suzuki generally starts around 3. I have delayed DD's starting anything like that, although I think she is quite musical and would like to do it, because she has tiny tiny hands and I don't want her to feel like she can't do it purely on a mechanical thing which will change as she gets older.

Also there's a great book about picking an instrument for your child:

www.amazon.co.uk/Right-Instrument-Your-Child/dp/0297850652

Having read it, I think the author is spot on about what grabbed me and my siblings.

That's brilliant, thank you very much! Very interesting.

I love the thought of a little ukulele!

Thanks again for your reply! :)

I was talking to a mum who is a succesful violinist and teacher (and who is Japanese) - her view is that there is no difference in outcomes if a child starts at 2 or at 4.

So maybe just play around now and start at 4?

Sullwah, on the off chance does this teacher live in the north london area/middlesex area?
(someone I know was enquiring about Japanese vviolin teacher in that area.)

Instincively I would say that for most children 2 or 3 years old is too young, but this doesn't stop you trying to have a go - as long as it doesn't put her off!

We started my DD's ballet lessons at 3 and really there are girls who started at 5 who are now at the same level and I should think this is the same for piano, etc

I am starting my DD (nearly 6) on piano lessons now and when she goes to the piano at home she can pretty much play little tunes with no tuition, I think this is a developmental thing as she couldn't do this say 6 months ago (and was just interested in making sounds, pretend play and lots of noise!).

Let us know how it goes though, I would be really very interested to hear! :o)

Think depends on child and instrument. I dont know whether a child at 2 would have the hand span necessary for piano. For us (various strings) suzuki worked as start at 3 but we swithed to trad method at 4 ish when they were able to begin to read music and enjoyed structure of those lessons more. They started piano at 6 and took it up really quickly. Good luck. Really recommened choose intstrument book mentionned above. Good luck

It really does depend on the child. The 'no difference in outcomes if you start at 2 or 4' I have also heard as 'no difference if you start at 6 or 8' and for many children that is also true, but obviously if you have a mozart then it doesn't work like that. The big danger with starting young is that progress is slow and music becomes seen as something that is very difficult and the child gets put off, but it undeniably does work for some children.

Is there a 'music for little people' near you?
www.mflp.co.uk/
Proper structured music & movement with 5 minutes bashing percussion instruments for a treat. DD did it from age 1-5 and it got her off to a great start (might even be the reason for her perfect pitch!). Develop the musical side of the brain first, then add an instrument once they have the co-ordination for legible handwriting is my advice!