Do not be lead astray by anyone who says that children must start piano by age 5 to play well. While beginning at this young age was the traditional time for generations ago, early childhood development studies have shown differently. In fact, kids are never too old to learn to play the piano, and neither are their parents or grandparents.
You actually may start piano lessons at any age. Teachers often disagree about the best ages to start, but most will agree that an average starting age may be around 6 years old. The reason? This is when you start to read and write, and learning to read piano music is simply another language. You can learn to read and write your own language and music all together at the same time. And, the coordination it takes to navigate over piano keys starts to form around that time.
Since the time around 1960, however, music teachers began to study early childhood development as it related to musical development. It has been discovered that most anyone has the ability to play piano, or be musical in some way. The reality is that children develop certain skills at certain times. Their physical development depends on many things, such as how well their nervous system is developed. Now it is known that it may be better to start formal private piano lessons beginning anywhere between the ages of 7 to 11. And, there are special music training programs that focus on younger children ages 2 to 6. When you add adult beginner programs to the mix, it becomes pretty clear that you can be very young and very old to learn piano skills.
Experienced teachers will actually plan a piano learning program that is tailored to the age and maturity of the student. There are many, many well written course books that are available now. You do not need to begin at 5, nor is it a problem if life made you wait until 75. Find a good teacher that has taught many ages and used many course books, and you have a great chance to succeed regardless of your age.
For older grade students and adults, finding time to practice is one of the biggest challenges. School and work obligations frequently take up much of the weekly schedule, making it difficult to keep up with lesson assignments. But motivation to acquire piano technique and play piano pieces can help learners to work around schedule problems.
Helping an older student learn can be as easy as modeling good time management habits. Setting up an area to store piano music, theory workbooks, manuscript paper, pencils and erasers, and a lesson assignment notebook are the first step. Make sure your piano has good light so eyes do not become strained. Try different practice times over the course of one week, and choose what works best for everyone in the family. Stick to the routine until it becomes normal.
Students who are struggling in other areas of their lives may find studying piano makes them unique. Often, they discover that other students are surprised at their abilities and are drawn to them. Friendships can develop around the piano that were not possible in other activities. Older adults find pleasure in playing songs from long ago with their companions.
Desiring to take up lessons can surface when your children or grandchildren start their studies. This can be a springboard to creating shared learning experiences that last a lifetime. It really is true that you are never too old to learn to play the piano. - 40732
You actually may start piano lessons at any age. Teachers often disagree about the best ages to start, but most will agree that an average starting age may be around 6 years old. The reason? This is when you start to read and write, and learning to read piano music is simply another language. You can learn to read and write your own language and music all together at the same time. And, the coordination it takes to navigate over piano keys starts to form around that time.
Since the time around 1960, however, music teachers began to study early childhood development as it related to musical development. It has been discovered that most anyone has the ability to play piano, or be musical in some way. The reality is that children develop certain skills at certain times. Their physical development depends on many things, such as how well their nervous system is developed. Now it is known that it may be better to start formal private piano lessons beginning anywhere between the ages of 7 to 11. And, there are special music training programs that focus on younger children ages 2 to 6. When you add adult beginner programs to the mix, it becomes pretty clear that you can be very young and very old to learn piano skills.
Experienced teachers will actually plan a piano learning program that is tailored to the age and maturity of the student. There are many, many well written course books that are available now. You do not need to begin at 5, nor is it a problem if life made you wait until 75. Find a good teacher that has taught many ages and used many course books, and you have a great chance to succeed regardless of your age.
For older grade students and adults, finding time to practice is one of the biggest challenges. School and work obligations frequently take up much of the weekly schedule, making it difficult to keep up with lesson assignments. But motivation to acquire piano technique and play piano pieces can help learners to work around schedule problems.
Helping an older student learn can be as easy as modeling good time management habits. Setting up an area to store piano music, theory workbooks, manuscript paper, pencils and erasers, and a lesson assignment notebook are the first step. Make sure your piano has good light so eyes do not become strained. Try different practice times over the course of one week, and choose what works best for everyone in the family. Stick to the routine until it becomes normal.
Students who are struggling in other areas of their lives may find studying piano makes them unique. Often, they discover that other students are surprised at their abilities and are drawn to them. Friendships can develop around the piano that were not possible in other activities. Older adults find pleasure in playing songs from long ago with their companions.
Desiring to take up lessons can surface when your children or grandchildren start their studies. This can be a springboard to creating shared learning experiences that last a lifetime. It really is true that you are never too old to learn to play the piano. - 40732
About the Author:
Merriam School Of Music 75-3175 Rutherford Rd, Vaughan, ON L4K 5Y6 (905) 829-4489 http://www.merriammusic.com/ Music school and piano store in the Greater Toronto Area. Offers piano lessons for children and adults. Also sells instruments, music and related products. Visit our Vaughan location!
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