Starting formal music lessons before age 5?

Jen&Len

Did anyone start their kids in formal music lessons before they turned 5?  DS has always been a music lover and we would like to enroll him in some sort of activity next year.  I was thinking about possibly starting him with piano lessons. 

I think he has a fairly good ear for music and we got a piano this past year because I wanted to re-start the piano for myself.  Today, he surprised us by playing the scale in C major (with one finger) while singing, "do, re, me, fa, so, la, ti, do" all the way through, coordinating the correct note with the correct key on the piano.   I don't actually play as often as I'd like because i have no time. And I have never played the scale for him while singing that.  My dad is a really good pianist and I thought maybe he had taught DS that when he came down to watch the kids on some weekends.  But when I called him to ask, he said he never even thought to teach him that because he thought DS was still too young and he doesn't play scales for him.  DS always asks that my dad play "jingle bells" and "happy birthday", so he ends up playing that most of the time.

 I know he learned the "do, re, me" part from preschool, but their music classes are done without a piano...just your basic toy drums, bells, etc.  Somehow he figured out that if you play the notes one after another, it sounds like the do, re, me song.  The thing that really surprised us about that was that when we asked him to do it again, he started the scale at C every single time, even when I scooted him around on the piano bench.  He would start at C a couple of octaves up or down depending on where I scoot him.  He must have figured out that if he started on another note, that it would sound strange if he plays all white keys.  He also has a really good sense of rhythm and will beat out the exact pattern of a melody even if it's syncopated.

He has no interest in other activites that we've suggested like soccer, t-ball, swimming, tae kwon do, art classes, etc.  This is something I think he'd enjoy.  We've tried the group music classes, but he's on the shy side and he doesn't really participate too much and he just wants to sit with me the entire time. He is much better at dealing with people 1 on 1.  I started lessons at 5, but I have heard of people starting as young as 3. 

Anyway, sorry this turned out to be so lengthy.  Thank you if you've made it this far!  I would love to hear experiences (positive and negative) from anyone who started their LO in music lessons at a young age.

 

JMC11511

I have a 9 month old so I obviously haven't started him on piano. BUT, I started playing piano at age 3.5 and still play semi-professionally. I also taught piano for 7 years in HS and College. My students were ages 4-18 and I had 16 students by the time I had to stop teaching because of school. I'm sure there is a teacher in your area that would be able to give him lessons! It sounds like he has a natural talent and would be super fun to teach! 

MrsPteranodon

We plan on starting music lessons at 5. However, Buddy can not sit still to save his life...sooo that plays a hand in why we wouldn't start him early. He is a physical kid, tons of energy. I need him to burn energy right now. I can't see a downside to starting him in lessons next year at 4. 

lcherian

i think if your child is interested you could definitely start him at age 4.  personally, im waiting until my daughter is 5.5/6 since that is what other friends of mine have suggested for starting piano lessons.

CoffeeBeen

Agree with PP - if this is your child's interest, then pursue it. 

We just found out that they have professional piano lessons for 2 years and up in our area.  So long as the price is reasonable, I don't see anything wrong with starting your LO now.

kj07

My friend is a Suzuki piano teacher and she has a few students under the age of 5.  Usually they're the younger siblings of current students and they want to do whatever big brother/sister is doing.

For your son, it sounds like it might be a good fit based on interest.  It wouldn't hurt to try it for a month or two - you can always stop it and try again later if it turns out he needs more maturity.

Angela814

I have a friend who teaches piano, and she suggests that kids be able to read before starting. I believe it's because it's easier for them to learn the notes and how to read music. The younger kids also tend not to be able to sit through a lesson.

But it sounds like he's ready and that he has a natural inclination to music. Do you think he could sit for a lesson?

Also there's a non-traditional method of teaching geared for younger kids, but I can't remember the name of it. Hopefully someone else here will know.

ETA: The method is Suzuki. I should have read the entire post before replying.

Abinormal

BostonKisses2:

I started piano lessons at age 4, but you can start earlier than that.  I'm a music teacher, and I would recommend looking for a music teacher that works with the Suzuki method - it relies on memorization and aural training, with note reading coming later.  Generally really young kids will start on piano or violin.  If your son is already picking up on a C Major scale, he should do well with Suzuki.  FWIW, we're planning to start Judith on piano in another year or 2, and we will use Suzuki.

I'm also a music teacher. I teach elementary music and I think your son would do just fine with piano lessons at this time. However, I will stress that I would not do a lesson longer than 30-45 minutes and with someone who is certified in the Suzuki method or has proven that they're capable of working with someone as young as your son. At this point, you son should be focusing on steady beat, simple rhythm and ear training. The piano "skills" would be secondary to these basic music concepts. It certainly can't hurt to try out piano lessons with your son.