A guide to getting your kid started with piano
If you are looking to get your son or daughter started on piano, your goal is commendable! Music lessons are one of the best gifts you can give your child. Piano is one of the most versatile and fun instruments to play. But is your kid ready to embark on this journey? There are several aspects to consider. Let’s go over a few of them.
The age of your child
A young child’s mind is like a sponge, and they are more open to learning at a young age. If your child is age 5 or under, they may take an interest in playing piano. Of course, at that age, they will be more likely to simply bang on the keys without any rhyme or reason. By all means, this should be encouraged. At that age, they are not likely to want to (or be able to) accept the rigidity of regular lessons, but their enthusiasm may eventually lead to acceptance as they grow older.
Depending on the advancement of your child, age 6 is typically a good time to get started with formal playing lessons. They are usually in school at this point and thus more adaptable to formal training.
The expense
If you don’t already own a piano, it can be a rather sizable expense. A good upright can run upwards of a few thousand dollars. A larger piano, such as a grand or baby grand, will typically run even more. You can get your child an electronic keyboard as a starter, but even then, you are looking at a considerable expense, and we haven’t even discussed the piece of lessons yet!
This is not meant to discourage you from getting your child started. It’s simply meant to gauge your child’s enthusiasm for learning. If your child is showing that he or she really wants to learn, fantastic! If your child is on the fence, you may want to discuss it further with them first. So let’s get to the important question…
Are they REALLY ready?
Some children seem to focus really well on a task when it is given to them and drive themselves when they are doing something they enjoy. Other children move from interest to interest without one really taking root. If your child fits into the first category, fantastic! They are a great candidate for piano lessons if they show interest.
If your kid fits more into the second category, that doesn’t mean they won’t take to piano lessons. You simply need to gauge their interests more. If they initiate an interest, talk with them and see if this is something they see themselves doing long-term.
Finding the right instructor
Once you have decided to move ahead with lessons for your child, it’s time to find the right teacher. You should ask around. In addition to having the obvious musical ability, the teacher should have the right temperament and requisite patience for teaching young people. He or she should also be able to structure the lessons around each individual child once the basics are out of the way.
