Dear Dr. Renee,
When is the best time for my child to start playing an instrument? She’s 6.
Marc,
Dear Marc,
NOW!
Sorry, I did not mean to yell that at you…
Transparency here: I think encouraging your child to play a musical instrument is a gift you can give that will have life-long benefits.
Music has been shown to engage all parts of a person’s brain. Playing an instrument can lead to better reading and math skills, better attention, focus, and even self-discipline. Many instruments help children develop their fine motor skills, too. Here is a short video that explains some of the benefits of music education.
You can start your child playing an instrument at any age. There are music classes for infants and young children where they can play drums and maracas, or bang sticks together.
It’s not too late to start playing an instrument.
It is not too late to start if your child is 6, 8, or even 14. I just started learning to play the harp a few weeks ago, so I’d argue it is never too late!
Please keep your expectations of what music could sound like “ability” appropriate, not age-appropriate. Even a 50-year-old starts as a beginner when she learns a new instrument.
Piano is a good place to start. If you don’t have a piano, many music stores rent them, or you could start with an electric keyboard.
Violin or guitar are also good ‘starter’ instruments because you can find them in smaller sizes. You do need to be extremely attentive with these instruments. We started our daughters on violin when they were 5 1/2 and 3 1/2 years old with the Suzuki method.
Their violins were the cutest things you’ve ever seen – but they were also crazy expensive. My younger daughter loved to play, but when she was done, she would just let go of the violin and leave. I had to be right next to her to catch it, so it was a “play only when Mommy is available” instrument. The keyboard was much easier and could be left in the open to be played whenever the mood struck.
A great website for more information about instruments and music education is:
NAMMFoundation.org
I wish you many years of improved concerts and joyful music,
Dr. Renee
What a great message to spread! I don’t think it is ever too early to start a child with a musical instrument. But then, I started on piano at 3 or 4 and switched over to trumpet in the 3rd grade.
I can totally see you playing the trumpet! It fits your personality 🙂 I’m glad you were given the gift of music as a child – especially as an itty bitty one.
I started playing piano at age 10. For me, I think it was too late. By the time I started getting good, I was getting up to my teen years. I didn’t want to practice for hours — I wanted to be out and about. I actually had some ability — I have long fingers — but I was just in a different mindset. I did want to start at age seven but my parents pushed it back. We will never know!
Oh – it’s never too late! You might have been more distracted and less interested in high school, but you could always pick it up again if you are interested. I would love to know if it comes back to you easily. If you do play again, be kind to yourself as you dust off the cobwebs and start near the beginning again. 🙂
I remember asking the same question 40 years ago. I even asked what music I could play to help my child develop an interest in music. Great information!
I love that you were willing to play music to get your child excited about it! Children are sponges and love to “do what mom/dad is doing!” 🙂
Love how you advised to keep expectations appropriate. No pressure just pleasure!
I might have said that just to make myself feel better as I continue to work on the correct hand positions for the harp even though, with my musical background, I ‘should’ be able to play it so much better by now! 🙂
A little bit of pressure (typically in the form of reminders to practice) can be needed. However, focusing on the process and improvement will take the love of music so much farther than the need to be perfect.
This is great and I totally agree music education is really beneficial to kids overall education. My kids aren’t playing instruments anymore, but learning the basics when they were younger was wonderful for them.
I think having that musical foundation is so important to their developing brains. I love that you gave your kids the gift of music! 🙂