Best age to start piano lessons?

[lechatnoir]

I would like DS1 to start piano lessons - hopefully he'll enjoy it and be good at it but even if he just learns the basics that's fine but, what age is best to start? He's just turned 6 in Y1 & has his name down to start a lunch hour class next term but wondering whether we should just save our money (& his playtime) and wait another year or so. Any advice?
Thanks
LCN

If he can comfortably spread his hand so his thumb and pinky can stretch a bit beyond 4 inches then he can reach one octave (8 keys) and therefore is physically ready to start learning.

6/7 isn't too young, as long as he's keen.

I think the question to ask is whether if you wait he'll lose the opportunity. At our school music lesson places are very scarce, so sometimes better to start a bit young than have a long wait.

HTH

when the child wants too? ds started at 13. When he wanted too. Within 2 years he was Grade 8

I spoke to my old piano teacher about this as wanted DS who was 4 at teh time to start with her, she said he was too young really as his hands wouldn't have been big enough but said it would be fine for me to teach him the basics myself then about 8 or 9 would be the time for formal lessons. I have trained to a high level myself so it would be fine if we ever seemed to find time in between everything else.

If he was given the opportunity at 6 at school I would probably still let him even though I know that until he can stretch an octave it is probably a bit of a waste of time. At 6 they can still learn the basics and learn to read music etc.

My piano teacher is very strict and would not allow someone to start with her unless they have a full size piano to practice on so maybe she has stricter rules than other people.

Hi there. Year 2 is a great time to start learning. So Year 1 Summer term should be fine too. Will he have 1 to 1 lessons?

My dd started just after her 5th birthday. She's 7 now and doing grade 2 in June.

DS2 started at 6, because he wanted to. I was dubious but he has done really well and enjoyed it.

dd begged to start but we made her wait til she was 6/yr 1 - she has done great, and loves playing at home; i am rubbish at ensuring practice happens regularly but she just goes and plays when she feels like it and it is working so far!

IMO 6 is a good age to start, but no pressure, make it a game, don't start looking at grade exams yet. DS took Grade 1 at 8.

40 ime

Wow, Kal, that's really impressive! How much practice did he do?

I started when I was 5, and loved it. dd1 started when she was 7, which was far better for her - she wouldn't have stuck at it aged 5 (barely did aged 7!)

dd2 wants to start this summer, she is 5.5

felt like all the time (he has aspergers so gets a bit excessive) but maybe an hour a day? He's slacked right off now he is at university but its his hobby, not mine. We were extremely lucky to find a local guy who charged £10 an hour and would often be here 2 or 3 hours as the pair of them discussed music and experimented and looked up peices on youtube.
He can play something after hearing it once