Mozart may have written a symphony by the age of 10, but most people would agree that is somewhat of an outlier in expectations from our children.
While we are all in awe of child prodigies who can master complicated instruments and complex music at very young ages, what is a sensible age for our children to begin lessons?
There is not a straightforward answer and there are a lot of variables and factors to take into account – every child and family is different, as are your hopes and expectations for what you want out of the lessons.
General opinions for the best age to take up formal music lessons ranges from as young as three to about eight, but there are issues to consider when thinking about encouraging your child to take up an instrument.
Two key questions parents should ask themselves are – what are the advantages of starting early, and how developed is your child intellectually and physically?
Music is highly beneficial for young children as part of their growth and helps them develop their creativity and learn to express themselves and their feelings, as well as problem-solving, working with their friends, and enjoyment. Starting young – like with a foreign language – means the child will absorb music much more quickly and have more time to grow and develop their musical skills.
That said, there are many adults who say they were turned off of music at a young age by being forced to take up an instrument by their parents and no longer have any interest in playing, even for their own satisfaction.
Work with your child to develop their interest in music informally from a young age – focus on enjoying the experience of exploring rhythm, tunes, and melodies before committing to an instrument.
And when you do want to progress to an instrument, think about your child. How interested are they in music? How big or small are they? How long is their attention span? All these will affect your choice of instrument and type of lessons.
As children grow, they will be able to handle and manipulate bigger instruments. Younger children usually struggle with regular full-sized adult instruments. The piano can be ideal as there is such a wide variety of music available for a child’s interests and skill levels. Strings are often a good choice as they can be rented in smaller sizes, but conversely, wind instruments may be best left to later, when your child has developed bigger lungs with growing up. Attention spans are also usually lower with younger children, so extended practice is not often helpful.
Do not fall foul of peer pressure – just because every other child seems to be playing an instrument does not mean you should make yours. If they really do not want to, the endeavor will quickly become futile and turn them off of playing, potentially for life. Keep encouraging their interest instead until they are ready.
And, of course – while there may be a debate over the best younger ages to start an instrument, remember there is definitely no maximum age. If you believed your time had passed and you are too old – think again. It is never too late to find a new passion and develop a new skill. Contact your local music school today and schedule your first lesson!