I am often asked when children should begin children taking private music lessons. By this, people generally mean piano lessons. I always try to steer people to wait until their child is at least in grade 2 at school, so the child has had a chance to adjust to a full day of school. There are quite a few options, at least in big cities, for children to enjoy music in group singing and games, as pre-schoolers. There is also the well-known Suzuki approach, which when done well, can be enjoyable for both child and adult.

I feel that most children and adults, no matter what the instrument, have the best chance of enjoying their instrument and continuing with music when they have the opportunity to play often with other players. The same goes for singers, who generally do best when they can join a choir, or some sort of singing group. The social aspect of playing in an ensemble or orchestra or band or group is so much of the fun part of making the music. I am not talking about the performance aspect, which can be a joy for some and an intimidation for others. I am talking about the regular getting together and sharing the music with others. And I believe that this is true for any kind of music, be it folk or classical or jazz or .....

Choosing the right teacher has EVERYTHING in my opinion to do with the feeling the child or adult will have for learning music. A teacher might create ensembles for the students, or support them in finding suitable groups or music partners. But, even more importantly, they will pace and direct the lessons according to the particular students needs and desires. No one should have to feel 'rigid' or 'boxed-in' by a teacher.

Everyone's needs are different. As a young learner, I absolutely loved sitting at the piano and playing scales and arpeggios for up to 2 hours a day. Then I'd start the pieces. It was not work or drudgery to me....it was a time to be alone and to think and to feel comfortable with the piano. But I realize that most children are not like that!

My son had a fabulous piano teacher when he was little. With great FUN, she taught him how to read music. She also taught him to play by ear, which is something that many classical teachers avoid, but which I think makes the instrument come alive for the child. It makes it their own personal voice. Now, my son is nearly 16, and plays in an advanced level percussion ensemble. The concerts are fun, but it's definitely the weekly getting together and laughing-as-you-learn-in-a-group approach that keeps his at it and signing up for lessons every year.

Neither of my children are terribly keen on making music with a parent. But when they make music with their peers that's fine with me. Listening to lots of live music has been a big part of their experience as well.

~black walnut, (who has taught music from newborns to high schoolers to senior citizens, and loves it all)