No music tuition until Year 2.....shall I get private lessons for Yr1 DD?

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DD is 5.5. I made enquiries at her school this week and was told music tuition available from year 2 (violin, guitar, keyboard), year 3 (ukulele) and Year 4 (recorder).

I’m really keen to get DD started sooner - do you think it’s worth getting private recorder or keyboard lessons? Or is recorder something I could try to teach her myself (non musical parent)? Thank you

Is your DD keen too though? If she's not. I wouldn't. if she is, why not?

DD started piano at school (through school music service, not mass class lessons) at 5.3, Y1. She asked very nicely and consistently. She is very capable, and has not suffered from missing 20 mins of class once a week. 10 months later she is still going strong, and is committed to her weekly theory homework and daily practice.

Ours offered recorder only in Y3, other instruments from Y4. It's not ideal and local private music teachers are in demand! But Y2 seems positively early to me.

Most schools start from Year 3 or later, so yours sounds fab. What does she want to learn? Violin and cello are also possible at or before age 5. I started my two on recorders at age 3 and 4, but it is what I do for a living...

Two things, what is she interested in and how keen? And is there a local teacher on that instrument who's great with little ones?

For example DC's piano teacher starts them in school in year 1 and is happy to potter along gently learning basics if needed, the other local teacher doesn't like to start before age 7 and they usually go faster and a bit more serious. Strings and recorder are also very possible at young age with the right teacher.

Depends on your child. If your child doesn’t want to then I am not sure it’s worth it. For the record DS is 6 and Grade 2 on the violin and piano but he’s always been very musical and enjoys practice. We are as far from being musical as you can get. DS2 has no such interest and would rather play football. I’m not signing him up for music any time soon.

Many music teachers aren't keen to take on pupils younger than 7.
For some instruments it is to do with physical development (of teeth, of reach of fingers), for some it is concentrations / ability to sit still / ability to take on board more learning after a day in school. For something like piano, where they are reading 2 lines of music at once, and doing different things with each hand, it helps to be a capable reader.
There is a reason why school doesn't offer the lessons earlier.

Wow thank you everyone. A lot to consider. To be honest, I don’t know whether she is keen or not because we are a non-musical family so she has not had much exposure to different instruments. She enjoys making sounds on her grandmother’s piano when we visit and she liked a taster keyboard session I once took her to, but that’s about it. She has certainly not been exposed to a violin or cello.

Hmmmm I’m not sure how to proceed. I guess finding a good local teacher would be a good first step.

Thanks again everybody.

Depends on the child in that some children are ready for traditional teaching methods younger than others. But also some teachers can adapt to or even specialise in teaching younger children, and make it more game based so the expectations of concentration etc are age appropriate. Normally they then progress more slowly so there is some degree of catching up from the later starters, but not always.

DD is not 7 yet and like kosha's DS has a good head start on 2 instruments, good practice habits and main thing is having fun. Like with early reading I think you take it up because they're going to enjoy it now, not because it may get them a grade or two further ahead years down the line.

A lot of music teachers will only take on children who are 7. They need to be able to read confidently and concentrate for a half hour lesson.

Some will take younger children but its usually thing like playing games at the piano. A more general music group might be better and will start to instill some skills. Have a look to see if there is anything Kodaly or Dalcroze based in your area.

DS started guitar at 5, he wanted to do piano too, but we were told because his hands were too small, it was too early. School lessons didn't start until Year 2, he was Reception and had a small size guitar. He really enjoyed and is still having lessons now, in Year 6, both private and in school.

If your child is keen, go for it! Find a good music teacher though. It took us a whole.

While*

Some will take younger children but its usually thing like playing games at the piano.
Which to be fair don't knock it as an approach! It can be very effective judging by the teachers locally who do it. I thought DD was just playing games on violin at 3 but actually at 6 she is playing grade 3ish pieces and much more with it musically than a new beginner would be. And still playful about it which I think actually helps. But as I say there's no guarantee. Find a teacher who likes teaching the age group and your DC will have fun, anything else is a bonus.

Definitely worth looking. But remember that very few teachers actually do teach small children music. My stepdaughter’s music teacher does begin teaching lessons to children aged 3 upwards.

My step daughter takes lessons but most of her time is spent on ensuring she actually does understand what she is learning. His only requirement is that she can sit down for twenty minutes and be able to answer questions.

They do a lot of five finger work. My advice is to see if you can find a decent local teacher. Ask for recommendations or look online for a teacher.

If you live in an area that has a Music Service they often provide classes for younger kids and/or taster sessions. Have a Google and see what's on locally. That would be a great starting point.

Symphony orchestras sometimes do family concerts where they introduce kids (and non-musical adults!) to the various orchestral instruments. Your DD may be attracted to the look and sound of one or more instrument or family of instruments. At the moment you have no idea if she is a string player, a brass player or a percussionist (or all three, but that is rare).

Thanks again everybody. I’m finding this all very useful. We live next to The Sage, Gateshead and they do lots of family classes so I shall start there. Im happy with a fun/play based approach so that’s ok.

Going to google Kodaly and Dalcroze now!

Some instruments are too big to play properly if you have little hands.

Show your DD YouTube clips of different instruments. Take her to The Sage and see if anything fires her imagination. And sing, anything you like, just sing!

DH & I are both string players so our DDs came with us to rehearsals from being very young. At 3, DD1 asked to learn the cello. A friend who is a cello teacher at school said to start her on my own full-size one just plucking the strings. She doesn't teach privately but I did find someone locally who took DD at 4 on an appropriately sized instrument. Although she was a term away from starting school, DD could read and was quite studious so coped with 30 minute lessons. She's 19 now and still plays.

I like the idea of going to Kodaly or Dalcroze classes first. They teach musicianship through games and there is a lot of singing involved, which helps to develop a sense of pitch. Sometimes they are run in conjunction with instrumental teachers who can then introduce those instruments to the children.

Thank you Malbec - funnily enough I’ve just booked tickets for 3 events at The Sage