What's a good age to start piano lessosn?

[Queline]

Does anybody know at what age kids usually start piano lessons and do you have any teachers you would recommend?

Thanks

[nunheadmum]

Talking to my daughter's piano teacher last time, she was saying that she's come to the conclusion that Year 1 is about the best time to start them - so about 5-6. She's tried recently starting some younger kids and even though she's totally child friendly, she's found that generally the younger ones struggle more whereas the Year 1 kids are coping better.

We're based over in Nunhead. If that's of use to you let me know and I'll send you the contact details.

[teamtidball]

Hi there,

I'm a music teacher and I'd say 6 if they're really keen and if not, then probably 7 would be a good age. If they start much younger than 6 I think they'd struggle. It's good to encourage them to work out tunes they know at the piano though and to compose their own music at any age.

[Queline]

Thanks for your comments, that's really useful. My son is 6, so now sounds like a good time to start. If you'd like to PM me any details or recommendations I'd appreciate it!

Thanks again.

Q

[suniil]

6 is a good age to start but not later than 8 years. Also the progress they make is all down to how good the teacher is and what level of support parents provide at home.

If your child is seriously interested in music / piano, then a practice of 45 minutes per day is minimum to start with and should go upto 2-3 hours before they hit secondary school!!

Daughter was a late starter, at 8 years and now at 10+ she is close to grade 8 standard. Practices around 3 hours every day and has a wonderful teacher.

[ontheedge]

To reach grade 8 standard in just over 2 years is quite a feat, but honestly 2-3 hours practice at that age does seem a little excessive, I would say 15 minutes for the younger child & 30-45 minutes once they start grades that is if you want them to do exams rather than just play for enjoyment.

[Pickle]

Speaking as someone who has worked as a professional musician (flautist) I would agree that the amount of practise mentioned above is excessive! I remember doing a couple of hours a day in the lead up to doing my LTCL at age 17, but never that much in the earlier years, and I went on to be successful as a musician.

I agree that around 6 or 7 is a good age to start.

[suniil]

It depends how much success you want! At least in my daughter's case, that's way she got into country's one of the finest Specialist Music School. She starts there in September (to year 7), in school they will have to do more than 5 hours of supervised instrumental practice (including after school practice hours).

Also, it is down to the instrument choice. She is in similar-ish level in singing, but only spends time during singing lessons & Choir.

[Campbelltown]

Suniil, am interested to find out who your daughter's piano teacher is. Is she local ?

[lucyA1308]

as a freelance musician and music teacher, I am also very impressed by Suniil's daughter. That amount of practice has clearly paid off. It doesn't have to be that much, but there does need to be encouragement at home to keep up with the practice. I start all my pupils off from the same beginning, and it is very easy to spot the ones who do the practice and those who don't.

What ever age you are when you start, it has to be the right combination of hard work and fun. The more you put into it, the more fun you will get out of it.

[suniil]

Yes, she is local but takes students who are seriously committed and Grade 6 level above. She is also a touring pianist, who debuts her US tours with Carnegie hall performance next month.

Campbelltown Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Suniil, am interested to find out who your

> daughter's piano teacher is. Is she local ?

[suniil]

Thank you Lucy, she got into both Chethams & Purcell but we are going to accept Purcell school for young musicians. I'm sure you know how hard to get in with Piano / singing as first choice of instruments in early school years, where she has to compete with the far east / eastern european Child prodigies. It's just her hard work and determination coupled with best mentoring.

lucyA1308 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> as a freelance musician and music teacher, I am

> also very impressed by Suniil's daughter. That

> amount of practice has clearly paid off.

100% agreed with the comment below. It should be a perfect balance between hard work and fun (aka enjoyment)

> It doesn't have to be that much, but there does need

> to be encouragement at home to keep up with the

> practice. I start all my pupils off from the same

> beginning, and it is very easy to spot the ones

> who do the practice and those who don't.

>

> What ever age you are when you start, it has to be

> the right combination of hard work and fun. The

> more you put into it, the more fun you will get

> out of it.

[swannieboy]

Blimey. I don't think I've ever done 3 hours practise in a day, and I'm considered to be a pretty competent musician...!

It depends on lots of things. For example - what kind of musician you want her to be, and when she gets old enough to choose, the kind of musician SHE wants to be. Clearly suniil's daughter is headed for the realms of the professional classical soloist. That's a tough gig, which takes no prisoners.

As for starting age - this depends on their level of ability to take instruction and take it with any degree of seriousness, so it varies from child to child. I have 7-year olds who have learnt all 12 of their major scales, the 12-bar blues, and can read quite fluently. I also have older students who lose concentration after 15 minutes. It depends. Mine, who are 15 and 13 now, started in the cradle. But then I could teach them, and it's different when dad does it every day. Ben got his Grade 8 drums at 12 and they are both superb musicians.

I would normally recommend about 10-20 mins practice daily for a 6-7 year old.

Oh, and you can start playing the piano at ANY age. If you want to be a professional concert pianist, then yes, definitely before 8. If not, definitely start sometime before you die. But before 8 is good, as long as it's with the right teacher...

[dulwichgirl2]

As a matter of interest, why do so many posters cite "8"? Is it a developmental thing or is it a question of putting in the hours for some years?

It clearly requires dedication and a particularly mature child, either way.