A common question of parents curious about music lessons is, “How do I know if my child is ready for music lessons?” Here are some tips for determining if it’s time:
- Your child seems to enjoy listening to a specific instrument, singer, or group.
- Your child persists in asking you about how to play an instrument or how to sing better.
- Your child seems to have musical qualities and innate skills not easily taught: an appreciation for good tone quality, a desire to stay on pitch, and artistry are not abilities easily taught or learned.
What Is the Best Age to Begin?
Often we are asked when a child should begin learning an instrument. Different teachers have different preferences and protocols for determining when to start; however, most teachers agree that the “golden window” is between ages six and nine. Fine motor skills, the ability to read, eye-hand coordination, and a longer attention span make this age group the prime age for long-term success in music. Prior to that, students can develop some rhythm and aural skills in preschool music classes, but the greatest focus should be fostering a love for music. For those who may start later, some advantages are greater independence (self-motivation), the ability to handle complex music theory, and comfort handling larger instruments.
At Morgan Valley Music we don’t have any age requirements—some 4- to 5-year-olds demonstrate a readiness to begin an instrument, and if that curiosity and eagerness persist, we are more than happy to begin lessons through a pre-reading curriculum.
What Instrument Should They Learn First?
This question has already been answered briefly above, but some instruments do lend themselves to certain types of musicians:
- Singer/songwriters tend to favor instruments to accompany their singing, such as piano or guitar.
- Those who enjoy community while learning tend to be band or orchestra students, selecting an instrument that would be suitable for that.
- Those who have a strong feel for rhythm and tempo often lean toward percussion instruments.
In the end, the parent will be the best judge of the right mix of personality and resources to make a sound judgment about the instrument best suited for the student in question.
How Can I Support My Child If I Am Not Musically Talented?
This is a great question. One of the great values of music lessons is the character qualities learned in the process of creating great music:
- Pursuing excellence—not settling for mediocrity
- Persisting toward a solution
- Collaborating with others (when in ensembles such as band, orchestra, or choirs)
All of these lessons can be taught by any parent who considers them important, whether you read music or not! I have fond memories of practicing the piano as a young child, and on more than one occasion attempting to finish early with an assignment. My mom—who had never taken a day of music lessons in her life—would call out from the kitchen, “I don’t think you played that quite right. Don’t you think you should go over that again?” With reluctance, I’d go back and correct what I knew my mom had heard, even if she could not identify it precisely. This kind of oversight and encouragement is just what students need to become great musicians.
These are the specific questions we are asked most frequently by parents who are considering music lessons for their children, and we hope that each of the answers will help give clarity in determining whether or not their child is ready to begin.
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