I get this question a lot. Parents see a spark of musical creativity or aptitude in a child as young as two or three, and want to immediately sign them up for lessons. Some children are ready for the structured environment of one-on-one intensive instruction; others might do better in group music & movement classes (Kindermusik, MusikGarten, etc.).
Parents need to take a realistic look at their children - you know him or her better than anyone else! - and determine if they are ready. Can your child sit still and pay attention for fifteen minutes at a time? Does your child know the alphabet? Can he or she count to ten? Write his name? Do you, as a parent, have the time in your schedule (and the patience) to sit with your child for 15-20 minutes EVERY DAY to supervise and assist with practice time? Older children and adults can discipline themselves to work through their assignments on their own, but young children will need constant guidance and support from you.
All that being said, I have found tremendous success teaching children as young as four to play the piano! This is NOT Suzuki training. These students are learning to read music, playing songs they love, and creating songs using their imaginations and creativity. In my studio, I will accept harp and piano students as young as four, and voice students at age eight. For students under age eight who are interested in taking singing lessons, I highly recommend beginning with piano lessons. This allows the student to learn the fundamentals of music reading and musicianship on the concrete object of the piano, rather than in the more abstract terms of the voice. Even my youngest students take 45-minute lessons. With "off the bench" music activities and games, we are able to maintain the focus on learning through different mediums.
An article appeared in the South Bend Tribune last February, that discussed the benefits of early music education and lessons. Selections from this article follow.
"Some instructors teach children as young as 4; others prefer to wait until the children can read. Some instructors say that, because more children are attending pre-school - and thereby being introduced to music in class - they are interested in music lessons at an earlier age.
"The decision usually falls to parents, many of whom view music as an alternative to sports or other extracurricular interests.
"Parents know that music carries our culture forward. If you want your child to be culturally literate, then you want him to study or listen to music.
"Music isn't a magic pill, but there are a variety of studies that show how music supports a child's development. Some of those benefits include socialization, cooperation, and mental agility. Other studies suggest that music helps children focus on the structure of sounds, an important aspect in language development.
"The challenge comes when parents set their expectations too high, hoping for instant results. The teaching method needs to match the child's age, interest, and maturity. Even when you hold an infant, sing to him and rock him gently, you are being a music teacher."
My studio has grown tremendously since moving to South Bend last summer. There are still some openings available if you or your child are interested in signing up for harp, piano, voice or music theory lessons. Please contact me at devon@theclassicharpist.com to set up a no-obligation interview!
