What is a good age to start musical instrument lessons?

[Littlepurpleprincess]

DS is only 4 and a half but he is really keen on playing the guitar. He has a small acoustic one that we picked up in a charity shop but it's broken. He said he would like a new one. Rather than just buying him a new one and letting it get bashed about I would rather get him lessons along with it. I want to encourage him if he's found his 'thing' (he's not keen to join in much, with anything and lacks confidence).

My question is, what would be a good age to get him started?

I have an electric guitar (that I don't know how to play) and he's playing with now. He said he wants a box (an amp) that makes his guitar loud too!

My DS started when he was 10. 4.5 may be a bit on the young side as he would need to be hold the guitar comfortably and have the strength in his fingers. Around the age of 8 seems to be the norm with a 1/2 to 3/4 size guitar. I think a 4.5 year old would be dwarfed even with the 1/2 size.

A Ukulele might be an idea....?

I think if he's really keen, you should speak to a guitar teacher to see if you can get guitars for children that small. If so, then why not try him with a few lessons? It is rare for a child to express an interest to play an instrument, so I would take full advantage of it.

He has a guitar that's tiny (the broken one) and can manage it fine. www.karacha.com/Palma-30-75cm-Junior-Guitar-Pack-Metallic-Purple?source=webgains&siteid=20369 Think its one of these. We only paid £3 for it but if he really wants to learn to play I would be happy to buy him a new one. I wasn't sure if there would be any teachers willing to teach him.

I am sure there are plenty of teachers out there. They teach piano and violin from 3, so why not guitar?

Good luck - you might have the next Eric Clapton

He said he wants to be a rock star when he grows up, that or a bin man...

I'm off to put Scuzz on for him, give him some inspiration

Ah, bless him! And good for you for encouraging him .

He's really reluctant to try new things (he cries if I suggest he rides his bike and won't go in the slide on his own at the park ) so when he finds something he likes I jump on it. I don't want to seem like the pushy parent type thought.

Thanks for advice. I will talk to DP and maybe pop into the guitar shop in town. They might know of a good teacher.

I can teach your little guy guitar if you're anywhere near me...send me a message if you want

I learned to play the piano from about 5, my mum taught me at first, and then i went to a proper teacher when i was about 7. I went up to Grade 8 (at 17), so I think yes it's definitely possible to start that early and I think it will be good for him.

when they are really interested and have a concentration span ie can sit down and concentrate for more than 5 minutes. important to check out the teacher as i know some children may be put off for a very long time with a bad experience. its not always 'the younger they start the better they will be', its very dependent on the person and their enthusiasm, i started piano when i was young (about 6) and got diploma when i was 18, however i know some people who can get that even when they start at 11, just because they have the will to really want to learn so excel very quickly. (faster than a grade a year for example).

Very dependent person by person, if he wants to learn and to have lessons, definitely encourage him. Maybe try to self teach him a few things with beginner books and then move onto a teacher.

I have always been led to believe that 7 is round about the "right" age. They're old enough to concentrate, learn to read music and their hands are getting big enough to reach the keys. That was for piano, however. DS was over 8 when he began the flute, and we did wonder if his arms would be long enough (although you can get a curved head to help). Heard a friend say that she was waiting for her DS's front baby teeth to come out before he started the trumpet.

So it varies, I suppose, depending on the instrument and whether it's "them."
DS took a while to get going on the flute, although he is flying now. He then took up the piano as well, at 11, and was ready for Grade 1 in a couple of months. It "suited" him better - plus he could already read music.

I agree with ninjamonkey. It is really important that you find a music teacher that your DS will like/bond with. DS1 gave up violin with first teacher, despite begging for violin lessons for 2 years, but is loving it with new teacher.

Thanks for all the replies. The thing that concerned me about finding a teacher was finding someone who knew 'how' to teach this age group. It would be completely different to teaching an 8 year old and they would have to have a lot of patience.

I'm in South Devon Goldtinsel. Is that close?

I am happy to learn the basics myself and teach him (I have a guitar, acquired when I was a teenager) but I think I may be tone deaf , I understand how to tune the thing but can't really hear much difference IYKWIM. It's hard to explain, my Keyboard teacher didn't get what I was on about either which made parts of my lessons quite challenging!

Our school of music runs a musicianship program for kids, starting at around 4. They sing, clap rhythms, and play musical games. They don't move them onto an instrument until about 6 or 7. It is a great training, and helps develop a musical hear. My kids have friends doing this, and I hear it is great fun.

It can be difficult to teach it yourself, if you are only learning too you might pass on bad habits which he would later need to unlearn...
My girls do Suzuki violin, and even thought I participate in their lessons I don't pick up everything and teacher gets to make the corrections in the next week...

My DS started guitar at 6 with lessons at school (peripatetic teacher 2 children in the lesson for half an hour once a week). He absolutely loved it from the word go and got a full size steel string for christmas at 8, persuading the guy he could handle it by playing a mean 12 bar blues and a couple of Beatles numbers.

He goes through phases of enthusiasm (he is now 9) but still plays every day and is now learning to read music and wants to do some grades. I think the teacher was right to keep it simple teaching them bits of pop songs and to read tab.

So if you can find a teacher who likes teachng small ones and knows how to keep them interested then go for it. Has he started school yet? Does it offer guitar lessons?

He started school in september (summer baby). I think they do offer lessons but I don't know what age they start. I have heard one parent complain that it's £11 for half an hour but any longer than that would be to long anyway. I will ask, I'm a little embarrased that I may be seen as 'that' (pfb)parent by DS's teachers . I seem to be in there every other day about something atm.

Just ask - better feel embarrassed now, than sorry you didn't later.

Fair point....