Piano or Violin and When to Start

2 of my kids play piano. One started at 8, the other at 10. My 10 year old wizzed through the first book, while my 8 year old went at a steady pace. I wouldn't worry about starting to late, but instead too early. You want it to be an enjoyable activity, not a constant struggle, so your child won't get overwhelmed and quit. This needs to be her idea, her fun, her interest, not yours.

Has your daughter expressed an interest in one instrument over the other? If she has, I'd recommend going with her interest. It might translate to more enjoyment on her part, which in turn would (theoretically) translate towards a greater willingness to practice.

One thought about the violin: I began playing when I was seven years old. It can be painful to play the violin until your fingers develop calluses. The strings can cut and can cause blistering. I think that most teachers would be careful to limit the finger work with such a young child, but it's worth discussing with a teacher, as I could see a 4-year old losing interest in the violin for this reason.

I'm not sure if there's a similar problem to playing the piano, but certainly that would be something I would want to find out about.

Don't mean to be discouraging at all- playing the violin was wonderful for me, and the benefits to playing music are enormous. I enjoyed playing as a child, and the whole finger callusing issue wasn't insurmountable by any means. Just something to factor into your decision making.

Good luck!

M.

I started my piano lessons at age 5. So did my sister and my two best friends from kindergarten. We all did fine and actually went on to play for several more years. Only when I turned 13 and realized that I liked boys more than I liked practicing did I stop taking lessons. Of course now I have a piano and play all the time!

As a former music teacher - you have a lot of options. Suzuki violin is good for young kids. I would probably opt tho for an 'explore' music type of class rather than lessons on a specific instrument. Have you check out kindermusic or other similar programs?

L. L
Certified Nutrition Consultant

I started my son at 5 with the Suzuki method on piano. That was great. My daughter is going to be 4 this summer and we hope to start her within the next year (she wants to do violin and isn't quite at crazy as my son was at this age).

I think if you start at this age, just know that it requires a lot of parental involvement and enthusiasm. I do practice with my son even now at age 7. My son is amazing pianist for a 7 year old and loves piano in general. But definitely would not be self directed enough to practice on his own. I would highly recommend reading some material about the Suzuki method before beginning. It is a particular philosophy that is definitely not for everyone.

I started playing the piano at 5, and then quit for a few years while I taught myself to play by ear. I found that much more enjoyable, and then was ready to pick back up reading music a few years later. Maybe a method like suzuki where they focus less on reading and more on playing at first would be good at such a young age? I have a 3 year old, and that's what I've been thinking of for him. More of the "you learn to talk before you learn to read" approach.

Also, I went on to play several other instruments (french horn and guitar), and I loved the base that the piano gave me. It was so much easier to "visualize" music (especially chords) with a piano background. I felt like I had a definite advantage over my fellow beginning guitar players.

I currently have two sons taking piano lessons. One started at 6 and the other at 5. I think 5 is a great age.

I started piano at age 7... some kids are ready before them but don't force it. Also ask her what she would like to try, that way she will be mor likely to stick with it.

i believe they can start violin as young as 3.

i started piano between 4 and 5 i think and it was definitely not too young.

I teach piano and, in my experience, most children are not ready before 7-years-old. I had one successfully start at 5 but most children that young do not have the necessary patience or discipline.

I started violin at 5 and still play 30 years later!! I think now is a great time especially with summer coming it would be something to help entertain her with...