Talk to me about piano lessons

[Bingtata]

DD is only 4.5 so I'm conscious of probably being miles too early

She is very interested in her keyboard so today when DH was watching the football I wrote the notes on the keys and showed her how to play a simple song and so a scale and she really enjoyed it - sat 'writing' her own songs by writing lists of the note names on a piece of paper. I'm not for a second suggesting that she is some kind of musical genius, more that she seemed to really enjoy it.

I used to play keyboards when I was younger, so would be able to show her some more basics/teach her to read music, which I would be happy to do if she was still interested. I worried about teaching her bad habits though, because I'm not fantastic and also very rusty! So should I leave alone, continue to show her what I know or think about lessons at some point?

I think you can carry on showing her things whil she's interested. Stop if it becomes a battle.

I know for a fact I that I can't teach my DCs the piano - the stress and strain is too great! So I have paid someone else to do it since they were both about 6.
(11 and 9 now)

Thanks Katisha, that's helpful. I'm trying to balance not being pushy and also not ignoring something she is interested in!

my ds has just started lessons. He has had about 3 and she is showing him how to read music and learning the notes by spelling words, dad, cabbage etc.
His tutor did say that she does not take kids until they know all their letters and can count.

Forgot to say he is 7!

Thanks Kahlua. She does know all her letters and can count, but 6 or 7 feels abit more reasonable to me so will just carry on teaching her bits and pieces.

be aware also that there will be a burst of interest followed by absolutely nothing and then possibly another burst of interest. So you can often be disappointed if you start them this early unless you are prepared to enforce regular practise.

DD1 was like that, tinkering on the piano from 3. I started her on lessons when she was 5, the piano teacher said usually they need to be 7 but as she was a good reader we thought she would be fine.

In reality, she wasn't emotionally ready for lessons, she just wanted to mess about. She went through phases of really doing well and progressing then phases of not wanting to do it. After book 2 (less than a year i think) we stopped as it was getting hard (2 hands) and she was getting stressed.

so i would just carry on as you are and tinker on it with her for the next couple of years...

I am a piano teacher and I don't normally take pupils until year 2 or 3, unless they have 10 mins tagged onto the end of a sibling's lesson.
Keep teaching your DC some little things and let her have fun - when she is older she can start lessons. You need commitment from the child to have lessons - they need to understand that they need to practise at home - something that I don't think a 4.5 year old would be able to do.

I think it comes down to an individual child. It might not be common but you can find a 4 or 5 year old child who can practise at home without too much difficulty. Take you child's lead and see where it goes.

I think personally it is a bit young for lessons but I remember that a friend of dd's began lessons at the age of 5. When they are that young though, a lot will depend on the teacher and the chemistry between your dc and her teacher. I would assume that 6-7 would be a good starting age for piano lessons.

No harm in playing about though. You could try lessons if she is really very keen

I started learning at about 4, with a little boy, and enjoyed it till he swapped to have lessons with his sister - then it became more serious about practising....

DD started school lessons when she was 8, but the teacher was negative and uninspiring and didn't teach well..... She moved to a teacher outside of school who some of her friends go to and she loves her and the lessons so much. She is funny and very positive and a good teacher.

So definitely look for someone who will make the lessons fun and enjoyable when you think she's ready.

I'm considering finding a teacher for ME to have lessons with who will "tack on " 5/ 10 mins for DS aged 5. There is one working locally who will do this with younger siblings of pupils.
I've forgotten all I learnt in my piano lessons as a child. And now have a piano after 30 years gap.

why not? You could always call and ask. I should think watching his mother doing it would be an enormous motivation for a dc actually.

Bing, there is a piano book called Dogs and Birds, which is specifically designed for younger children learning the piano. It teaches the notes using animal names, and there are little wooden animals that you can put on the keys.

I have used it a couple of times with pupils, and it is an interesting way to start, although transitioning to 'real' notes is something that needs tackling later on.

You can buy a little help book for parents, with ideas of things to do with the pupil - games, singing - and is quite creative. I quite like it, and it's great for teaching rhythm notation too.

Check it out at www.dogsandbirds.co.uk

Meant to also say that singing games will be great for your DD's musical development.

i am home educating my 13 year old at present. she enjoys playing the piano. she has an electronic keyboard at home. but getting some music tuition is very expensive. does anyone know anyplace or anyone where the price is reasonable. in the borough of barnet, london. please email if you do. ([email protected])

thanks