Your toddler can really jam on his mini-xylophone. But is he ready for formal lessons? Debbie Rohwer, chair of the Division of Music Education at the University of North Texas, says when it comes to musical education, no child is too young. Formal instrument instruction can begin when your child is ready for the challenges of lessons (like sitting still for more than 10 minutes), but parents can start fostering a love of music from infancy.
“Surrounding children with high-quality musical sounds is in the best interest of every child,” she says. “Informal musical activities in the home, such as chants, clapping games and singing common folk songs, can be highly beneficial to a child’s musical development.”
Rohwer explains that children who are exposed to music education early in life gain much more than rhythm: Brain scans of individuals making music show activity across the brain, and kids learn life skills like commitment, concentration and teamwork.
Here are a few tips that may make starting lessons a bit easier.
PIANO
What age to start: 4-5 years old
Why: Children are able to focus, practice and make a commitment of time to their lessons.
“Some children have the coordination, musculature, maturity, concentration, skill and motivation to begin music instruction at an early age, while others do not,” Rohwer says. “Decisions should ideally be made on an individual basis, with the specific strengths and weaknesses of the child in mind.”
VIOLIN
What age to start: 3 years old
Why: Children this young may start the Suzuki method, which involves an active parental component (the parent is responsible for attending lessons, taking notes and supervising practice); lessons focus on learning notes by memorization rather than reading music.
“Small-sized violins exist so that young children can begin violin instruction without the discomfort or bad habits that can be gained when playing an instrument that is too big for the child,” Rohwer says.
GUITAR
What age to start: 7-8 years old
Why: Children this age can handle the larger instrument and have the necessary strength to press strings on the guitar frets.
WIND INSTRUMENT
What age to start: 11-12 years old
Why: Children at this age have better lung capacity and can properly form their embouchure (mouth shape).
VOICE
What age to start: 12 years old
Why: Older children are able to develop pitch and have more developed vocal chords.
However, Rohwer asserts, children can start singing as early as preschool to learn how to listen to and work in a group and build their social skills and confidence.
