I don't think that any age is too young to start playing an instrument (within reason) as long as the enthusiasm is there. My mum plays piano reasonably well and my dad's a highly skilled guitarist, so I've been around music scince I was born. I demanded to be taught to play piano at the age of two, so I was taught some simpler tunes by ear. Reading music was introduced to me at the same time I was reading basic words, at the age of three. I began to teach myself (with maternal help) to play piano at four. My parents tried sending me to lessons, but I was too stubborn and was convinced that my teacher was wrong and I could invent my own way of playing if I wanted to. (i.e. with my hands upside-down!) At six, I started formal piano lessons. I hated it after a year, because I was made to play music I cordially hated by an old-fashioned teacher. I changed teachers at 9 and haven't looked back. I started flute 'volountarily' at 11, whereupon my school ceilidh lit a blazing enthusiasm for Irish, Scottish and Northumbrian music. I started fiddle at 12. I've been playing the flute for two years now, and I'm studying for my player's diploma. I'm really grateful for being started on music so early - I've been able to pick up other instruments (basson, melody saxophone, whistle, keyboard, jazz piano, northumbrian pipes and Irish flute) so much more easily and quickly than friends I have who started playing at 9, say, or 10. I say, if a kid wants to learn, let them!

Ruthie.