When should you start piano lessons for children?

Parents of very young children often ask me if their offspring are old enough to start to learn piano. Well I’ve known some four year olds to start to learn to play piano successfully. Most, however, at that age find it too much of a challenge and I see them return later when they are closer to six years old.

I have a lot of experience with a piano lessons course that is specially designed for young children. Although it includes keyboard skills it also uses a lot of singing and all round musical activity. One big problem is the problem of tiny hands that just cannot cope with independent finger movement. Six year olds are just better physically equipped for the keyboard.

It may appear obvious, but there is a marked difference between a five and six year old learning to play piano. It’s not just hand size to reach the piano notes but ability to concentrate too. Basic knowledge in other ways of the world makes a big difference too. For example, knowing the first seven letters of the alphabet.

A lot depends ‘though on the course offered and the skill of the teacher. When I teach the very little ones I encourage their parents to sit in on the lessons and help to guide their child. I can then lead from the front of the class whilst parents can help to guide their childs hands in to place on the keyboards whilst I move around the class to check that all is well.

Lessons for the very young need to be flexible and fast moving. Incorporating singing and even dancing helps to introduce musical concepts leading to learning piano without the need for great physical dexterity. Preventing piano or music lessons from becoming too intense helps in teaching adults as much as it does in teaching children.

When learning music you are actually asking the pupil to think in two languages at the same time, for music has a ‘language’ all of its own. Add to that the need to learn to physical keyboard skills of making your hands work independently and add expression and feeling to the music and you realise what a task learning to play piano is.

It is perhaps all the more amazing then that a six year old with limited skills in English can still make a success of learning the piano. There are lots of young children who manage it very well ‘though. Seeing a small child looking at ease, sitting well and enjoying playing is a wonderful sight.

To summarise, therefore, I would say that, on average, seven would be the ideal time to start to play the piano. The child is old enough and physically big enough to cope with the academic work and the size of the keys on the instrument but a keen, musical six year old from a supportive family would probably be far more successful than a sullen eleven year old who is being pushed into learning by eager parents.

Every child is different and every teacher is different. Don’t despair if things don’t turn out right on the first attempt. Once you achieve the right formula, you and your child will experience the joy and overall benefits that good musical tuition will give.