My son Felipe loves any kind of music, he loves to sing and anything that involves music. My dream is seeing him playing the violin and the piano one day.
When do you think is a good idea for a toddler to start playing an instrument?
I didn't start piano lessons until I was 9, but then I still don't play very well! I can barely play hymns. But I am still determined to have a piano in our home eventually.
I know a family with 5 grown children, and they are all, to my knowledge, VERY musical. I think they each play at least 2 instruments, and VERY well. I think the interest in music as well as talent can be genetic, but I also think that the fact that they were raised in such a music-loving environment may have made a difference. When you are exposed to something like that all your life, and your parents have an obvious love and enthusiasm for their musical endeavors, it is probably hard not to catch the love for it yourself! Not to mention it probably helps if the child is taught a good work/practice ethic.
Personally I would say 6 years old is a good age to begin music lessons. I suppose it also depends on what kind of instrument the child, or you, are interested in. I took both piano and guitar lessons as a child. I never did anything with either one, because music just wasn't for me. It wasn't that I didn't learn how to play, I was just not personally interested in music. I believe this is very important; the child must want to learn to play the instrument, as that will be key to them learning it and staying with the lessons. Currently I have my 2-year enrolled in 'music' classes at the local college, where kids are introduced to music, songs, sounds, and the like. If he shows an interest in music in general, then that may be a good indicator for later on, possibly.
I don't know what age to suggest a toddler learns to play music, but the school that my little girl attends, have just taught her to play the xylophone by 'Suzuki' method, this is where they learn to play by color coded cards that correspond to colors on the keyboard. She is 4, and it is working well for her.
My eldest son, mivered and mivered when he was about 6 to have guitar lessons, we went out and bought him a guitar, and payed for lessons, and he actually gave up after a few months because he hated it so much.
10 years down the line,he approached us about learning to play the electric guitar, our first instinct was 'no way' after the last episode, but he convinced us that he genuinely wanted to desperately learn, and 8 months down the line, he's really enjoying playing.
So I guess, it's different ages depending on the child, they all work through things at the right time for them.
QUOTE (malexander @ 8-May 06, 1:01 PM) |
I believe this is very important; the child must want to learn to play the instrument, as that will be key to them learning it and staying with the lessons. |
QUOTE |
So I guess, it's different ages depending on the child, they all work through things at the right time for them. |
You should ask your kid if he's interested in any insturments. Once they've chosen and insturment, then guide them along the path to practicing. I highly recommend the suzuki method of teaching, especially for piano and violin. Keep in mind if he likes singing, voice is also a good path to go for music wise.