Piano lessons for children

bylromarha

I want my 4 year old to start piano playing. Trying to work out yearly costs before we commit.

First off, do you think it's worth it for a 4 year old (who turned 4 mid August)? Talking to someone today she said 4 year olds are too skittish and lively for piano and struggle reading music. I think he's ready as he's practically taught himself to read and will often sit reading for as long as we let him (we often have to stop him reading after an hour), so I don't think concentration or focus will be a problem, but co-ordination and hand strength might at this age?

How much do you all pay for lessons? How often do you take lessons for them to be effective? And how many extras do you all buy like music books and the like?

Thanks

jackiegibbo

does your 4yr old want to learn? we pay £14 for half an hour but i waited until my daughter SAID that she wanted to learn but still sometimes she doesnt want to do her practice and thats the most important aspect they need to practice.

Dill

My knowledge might be a bit out of date now but I have a few music teachers in the family and I think the going rates for lessons would be about £20/hour. I know my mum's mum used to do 20 minute lessons rather than ½-hour for the little ones, some I think were as young as 3 or 4.
Lessons were weekly.

Is he showing interest in learning the piano? I only ask because while it's really good to have parents who encourage their kids to take up an instrument, it really has to come from the child. He might get bored with practising, though the lessons wouldn't be too heavy-going at first.

For music books it might be worth a quick look on the Chappel of Bond Street website to see if they do any for kiddies. The music teacher will have their own preferred books, but it would give you a rough idea about the prices, etc.

LillyJ

I started learning when I was 6 but I found half an hour too much. I would suggest 15-20 mins at first.
I don't think that hand strength would be an issue - they would be doing easier stuff anyway that doesn't need too much coordination. I think if you learn the theory especially at an early age, it becomes second nature rather than having to learn it later on.

I used to babysit a boy who was 5 when I started babysitting him and he already could play the piano fairly well. (was about to do grade 1)

conradmum

You could start by having a look at this site:

http://www.britishsuzuki.org.uk/

Suzuki teachers prefer to start the children very young, so 4 years old is not too young at all for them. Rates will vary according to the area of the country and how well qualified and experienced the teacher is.

andyrules

It really does depend on the child. I know someone who started at 5 and is now a brilliant pianist, but he's probably the exception.

I don't see any harm in trying; I would keep it low key (sorry;)) and not put pressure on or expect too much. 15-20 minutes once a week is enough at this age, and encourage very short practice sessions in between. There is some great music for kiddies - if you find a teacher who teaches other little ones, ask if other mums want to sell their music on - grade music won't be needed again afterwards!

When he gets enough skill, the play along books are good for encouraging playing - they do popular arrangements, like Pink Panther etc.

Music room is reasonable, and netmusicalinstruments (they do cheap sheet music). Both offer a good service.

Some schools offer peripatetic lessons at very reasonable prices, which are good as a start.

anonymousie

:eek: IMHO 4 is way tro young to start piano- it is really complicated, any apartfrom concentation and coordination issues kids often wont have the finger strength to push the keys! (remember it is a finger/wrist action not whole arm!).

I would only consider any musical instrument before age 6 if you can play and read music yourself. Little kids need a lot of support to practice accurately etc- they wont remember what they are supposed to be doing TBH.

What about finding a primary school music teacher/piano teacher that will take your child for a "musical fun" session once a week, with a view to starting piano when he is ready? Rhythym and singing games would lay sound foundations to build on.

BTW I have 3 kids who are musical aged 15/12/9 yrs, they started piano at age 6/7 (yr2 at school). It is hard work for the parent till they are 8-9 or so, monitoring practice etc and after that, getting them to practice when you know they can:rotfl:

(BTW DD1 is working towards grade 8 in singing, recorder and piano over the next 12 months :eek: )

Prices- at the moment piano £11/30 mins (very cheap). REcorder £30/hour with a very lovely teacher, who is well known and respected in the recorder world (I suspect this is no where near the "going rate " for him either, but he teaches both the elder 2 and will likely teach the youngest soon).

Mind you school "group" lessons are £5plus each in a group of 3, so that would be £45/hr:eek: group lessons are pretty rubbish TBH (image 3 7yr olds playing clarinet- takes 10mins to get them all set up:mad: ).

'tis a biiig money sink!

Zziggi

I asked this only a week ago.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1137267

Hope it helps
Zziggi

littlesnuggy

I started playing the violin when I was 4 - my sister, who is two years older than me, had started when she was 5 and I was desparate to start playing too! (This was Suzuki) At first, I had 20 min lessons which later became 30mins, and eventually 45 mins.

I started piano lessons when I was about 7, but wish I'd started at the same time as the violin, really.

OP your little boy sounds more than capable of concentrating for 20 mins and having the right attitude to practice. I'd say see if a teacher will give him a trial lesson and see how he gets on / if he's excited about it afterwards etc. Good luck!