Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old?
-
[quote]The 5 year old however has to do boring drills because the hand span is limited and finger strength is not there. My conclusion is unless the child is very talented, 7 is a better age to start. [/quote]
I am very surprised to hear this. I think this has more to do with the teacher you are using rather than your child's age. There are good piano book series that my children started with at age 5, and instead of boring drills they teach through cute songs. I particularly like the Thompson series (starting with \"Teaching Little Fingers To Play\") though some very good teachers I've known prefer to start with the Alfred series, and then switch to the more advanced Thompson books as the child progresses. Both series start out with cute, simple songs straight from the beginning. If your teacher is boring your child, maybe you could mention these book series to her and see her reaction. If that doesn't help, then maybe you should look for another teacher.
On the original question of whether 7 is too old to start, some of the best piano teachers I've known refuse to start kids younger than 7. I worked very hard to get my oldest daughter's piano teacher to start working with my youngest daughter at age 5, and she only agreed because we were already good customers. In the U.S., at least, it is expected to start at 7 or later. -
vanyali:
[quote]The 5 year old however has to do boring drills because the hand span is limited and finger strength is not there. My conclusion is unless the child is very talented, 7 is a better age to start.
I am very surprised to hear this. I think this has more to do with the teacher you are using rather than your child's age. There are good piano book series that my children started with at age 5, and instead of boring drills they teach through cute songs. [/quote]LOL - I had to look through all the comments before I found that you'd lifted an old comment by \"ammonite\".
Yes, definitely more to do with the teacher. My littlest started before 3yo and although cute little finger exercises was part of the starting pieces, he also started straightaway with songs. He's now completed Suzuki Book 1 piano already after 1yr. -
[quote]LOL - I had to look through all the comments before I found that you'd lifted an old comment by \"ammonite\".
Yes, definitely more to do with the teacher. My littlest started before 3yo and although cute little finger exercises was part of the starting pieces, he also started straightaway with songs. He's now completed Suzuki Book 1 piano already after 1yr.[/quote]Sorry, yes, I guess that was an old comment for this thread. I hope my post still helps somebody and gives some perspective.
I am vary wary of Suzuki. While it's cute to stick a violin in a very young child's hands, what happens when it finally becomes time to teach them to read music and they have to start at the beginning again? Plus, learning to read music gives a structure to learning: teaches them how to think about and understand it. My oldest daughter did a little Suzuki volin when she was much younger, and the whole system just seemed kooky, and the teachers and parents reminded me of a cult. So we quit that.
We switched to sheet-music-based piano lessons, and I found that if I sat with my daughter at the piano every time she practiced, and sang the note names to her as she learned a piece, that she could learn to read music very quickly before she even learned to read words.
When we came to Singapore, I tried setting my girls up with lessons at the local Cristophori music store, and was very disappointed. My daughter says that when they would come to a lesson on theory in the book (in the book series I recommended, songs and techinical exercises and intersperced with pen-and-paper theory lessons), the teacher would ask her the answers to the exercise, and if she got an answer wrong, he would just say \"See, you don't know this\" instead of telling her what the right answer was and explaining the teaching point. What the heck is the point of that? So I quit those lessons and now teach both girls myself.
I don't know whether we've just had a lot of bad luck so far with lessons and tutors here, but many times, the teachers I find are more interested in proving what my kids don't know rather than teaching them things. If the girls already knew everything, I wouldn't be hiring a teacher! Some teachers just have no tolerance for children who came from other systems without these levels and exams. -
vanyali:
Some teachers just have no tolerance for children who came from other systems without these levels and exams.
This happened to my son when we were in France as well. He was already on Suzuki Bk2 back then. But the French violin teacher insisted on him starting from second base level of the French system. He was so bored that he didn't bother to practise the songs before attending her class. Whereas, his French piano teacher allowed him to continue from his level. 'Good teachers' is an important motivational tool to students.
PS: Though my kids were taught by a Suzuki violin teacher, they were expected to learn to listen and read notes at the same time. -
vanyali:
Sorry, yes, I guess that was an old comment for this thread. I hope my post still helps somebody and gives some perspective.[quote]LOL - I had to look through all the comments before I found that you'd lifted an old comment by \"ammonite\".
Yes, definitely more to do with the teacher. My littlest started before 3yo and although cute little finger exercises was part of the starting pieces, he also started straightaway with songs. He's now completed Suzuki Book 1 piano already after 1yr.
I am vary wary of Suzuki. While it's cute to stick a violin in a very young child's hands, what happens when it finally becomes time to teach them to read music and they have to start at the beginning again? Plus, learning to read music gives a structure to learning: teaches them how to think about and understand it. My oldest daughter did a little Suzuki volin when she was much younger, and the whole system just seemed kooky, and the teachers and parents reminded me of a cult. So we quit that.
We switched to sheet-music-based piano lessons, and I found that if I sat with my daughter at the piano every time she practiced, and sang the note names to her as she learned a piece, that she could learn to read music very quickly before she even learned to read words.[/quote]My now 4yo boy seems to be able to read notes. He's completed a book of basic theory already and is familiar with the musical terms. He could read words by 10months' old, so it would be \"reading musical scores after he could already read proficiently for a few years\".
Anyway, I've observed how my elder boy couldn't read notes when he started violin at 8yo, but could do so in a few months, so I don't worry about it. He had no problems with doing Theory Lessons when he finally took them up for exam purposes. Naturally they'd know how to read notes if that's what they are faced with on a daily basis.
This 4yo boy has 1-to-1 lessons with his violin & piano teachers (both Suzuki trained teachers), so I don't see the \"cult\" in it. Maybe that seems to be the case when there's a big group playing so \"obediently\" together? Not enough students of same age/level with his teacher for that to happen. I think in his group level, there's only some 5 children. For violin, that is. For Piano, it's individual insruction, no group - is that even possible for Piano Lesson?
I also read widely on Dr Suzuki's Philosophy and the Why's of each section of his way of teaching before I had my youngest start on any formal music lessons.
Aren't children of any age, learning with any method, having to think about and understand techniques required of any piece they are playing anyway? Also there are dynamics and rhythm that they need to be conscious of. Not like robots.
I've no experience with that music school you mentioned, but on this forum alone, I've not heard many favourable feedback. And yes, the style of the teachers and their approach is so very important. Esp for the very very young, they have to be more positive and turn situation into a positive learning opportunity (even if the child acts up during lesson). We have no experience with music learning at preschool age with any of our older children, but am glad to have found suitable ones for our youngest. I was very careful in this respect and wouldn't have bothered to start him with formal lessons otherwise. -
And the old old post has called me back here.
To be fair, the teacher was upfront about his lack of experience with very young kids and he was open to any suggestion. He introduced two simple songs to my little one after I suggested to him, and to both our surprise, the little one has learnt to read notes by then, albeit need a bit of time to decode. So I am happy with that two,three months of lessons I paid for. I have no idea how to teach him to read notes.
However the boy didn't want to continue with formal classes and told me to teach him instead. I am now teaching him myself with a couple of beginner books recommended by Yamaha staff.
phankao, can you pm me the detail of your son's piano teacher? Would like to outsource again at some point! -
Hi, Jus to share. My boy started his gp piano at Yamaha at 5yr. Due to ‘peer pressure’ (i think) cos girls sing better, he refused to return to the class on 2nd lesson. Wasted my 300 bucks though I can get refund, too lazy to do so. I never want to pressurize him so let him go indv lesson as he still learnt fr his music book but refused to attend class. I couldnt teach. Yamaha only took in6 yr old kids. I enrolled him to a private moe registered music sch at clementi n he really enjoyed indv lessons with this teacher. Now with 1.5 yrs lessons, he performed recently solo at mini performance organized by music school. I think interest n teacher are v impt. Also u hv to assess if kids like to be in a gp. If all not in place, forcing them to pick up our interest is pointless. I want him to enjoy music. Not much focus on fingering etc cos tt will bore him. I am still hesitating if he should take exam next yr. I hv a colleague who took exams during her young days n hate music later due to exam stress. Thot will wait for teacher to advise.
-
Kagillus:
Hi, Jus to share. My boy started his gp piano at Yamaha at 5yr. Due to 'peer pressure' (i think) cos girls sing better, he refused to return to the class on 2nd lesson. Wasted my 300 bucks though I can get refund, too lazy to do so. I never want to pressurize him so let him go indv lesson as he still learnt fr his music book but refused to attend class. I couldnt teach. Yamaha only took in6 yr old kids. I enrolled him to a private moe registered music sch at clementi n he really enjoyed indv lessons with this teacher. Now with 1.5 yrs lessons, he performed recently solo at mini performance organized by music school. I think interest n teacher are v impt. Also u hv to assess if kids like to be in a gp. If all not in place, forcing them to pick up our interest is pointless. I want him to enjoy music. Not much focus on fingering etc cos tt will bore him. I am still hesitating if he should take exam next yr. I hv a colleague who took exams during her young days n hate music later due to exam stress. Thot will wait for teacher to advise.
Its good to enjoy music. But I think you should also balance it with taking exams early. In sg, especially with psle, tuition, remedial classes etc... you wont have too much of a luxury. The later you take exams the more you find you dont have time to devote effort to it. I hated music because it was extra work when i was young but looking back now, i achieved a fair fit. Finished my grade 8. And its good to realise your son's discomfort with group classes. I think its important to feel comfortable when learning so he is not distracted and can focus. Kinda of like your way u handle your kid but I would still suggest taking exams asap at a comfortable pace maybe?
-
ccwj:
Exams are useful yardsticks, but there are other forms of assessments that can be stimulating as well and provide varieties in learning. Performances and goal pieces can be good milestones that push students as well. Every student is different and what makes a student tick may not work on other students. And if it's possible try to inject varieties in the learning e.g. duet, chamber works, improvisations, jazz, etc.Kagillus:
Hi, Jus to share. My boy started his gp piano at Yamaha at 5yr. Due to 'peer pressure' (i think) cos girls sing better, he refused to return to the class on 2nd lesson. Wasted my 300 bucks though I can get refund, too lazy to do so. I never want to pressurize him so let him go indv lesson as he still learnt fr his music book but refused to attend class. I couldnt teach. Yamaha only took in6 yr old kids. I enrolled him to a private moe registered music sch at clementi n he really enjoyed indv lessons with this teacher. Now with 1.5 yrs lessons, he performed recently solo at mini performance organized by music school. I think interest n teacher are v impt. Also u hv to assess if kids like to be in a gp. If all not in place, forcing them to pick up our interest is pointless. I want him to enjoy music. Not much focus on fingering etc cos tt will bore him. I am still hesitating if he should take exam next yr. I hv a colleague who took exams during her young days n hate music later due to exam stress. Thot will wait for teacher to advise.
Its good to enjoy music. But I think you should also balance it with taking exams early. In sg, especially with psle, tuition, remedial classes etc... you wont have too much of a luxury. The later you take exams the more you find you dont have time to devote effort to it. I hated music because it was extra work when i was young but looking back now, i achieved a fair fit. Finished my grade 8. And its good to realise your son's discomfort with group classes. I think its important to feel comfortable when learning so he is not distracted and can focus. Kinda of like your way u handle your kid but I would still suggest taking exams asap at a comfortable pace maybe? -
Kagillus:
Hi, Jus to share. My boy started his gp piano at Yamaha at 5yr. Due to 'peer pressure' (i think) cos girls sing better, he refused to return to the class on 2nd lesson. Wasted my 300 bucks though I can get refund, too lazy to do so. I never want to pressurize him so let him go indv lesson as he still learnt fr his music book but refused to attend class. I couldnt teach. Yamaha only took in6 yr old kids. I enrolled him to a private moe registered music sch at clementi n he really enjoyed indv lessons with this teacher. Now with 1.5 yrs lessons, he performed recently solo at mini performance organized by music school. I think interest n teacher are v impt. Also u hv to assess if kids like to be in a gp. If all not in place, forcing them to pick up our interest is pointless. I want him to enjoy music. Not much focus on fingering etc cos tt will bore him. I am still hesitating if he should take exam next yr. I hv a colleague who took exams during her young days n hate music later due to exam stress. Thot will wait for teacher to advise.
Be careful not to ignore the fundamentals such as good fingering, good posture and technique, sight-reading etc. Quite a few teachers choose to compromise on these as they are afraid lessons would be boring and demoralizing, unfortunately this will have effects down the road when more difficult or higher grade pieces are attempted. Not being able to express and execute technical requirements of a piece properly can be very frustrating as well. This is why a significant amount of students stop at grade 4 or 5. Exam is good to take to provide a milestone; but be absolutely sure your son is well prepared in all the components so the experience is a very positive one.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login
