Good Age to Start Learning?

Post by **olly** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 8:42 am

My older Son turns three next week and it got me thinking about what age I should start teaching him guitar.

I think three might be a bit too young but maybe four or five? What do you guys think?

Instructor · Post by **Instructor** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:39 am

The earliest I will accept a student is 6. Its not their question of age, per se, but its one of their practice habits away from the lesson. If you have a young person whose support system is in place to direct and organize and participate in their off week practices, then a child can progress. If not, then you have to wait for their person maturity. In almost all cases if success, I find that the difference between a student that does well and one that does not, regardless of age...is buy-in and practice.

Instructor

Post by **olly** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:10 am

Thanks for the response.

I remember when I was younger, probably around 6 or 7, I started to learn the piano. I enjoyed it to a degree but I didn't practice and I never appreciated the skill I was developing. Eventually I gave up the piano for the guitar.

It was only when I hit around 18 -19 when I decided to really concentrate and make and effort with the guitar. I think at this age I really had self motivation and could see the end goal I was trying to reach. This made it a whole lot easier for me.

i-watermelon john · Post by **i-watermelon john** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:55 am

Practicing the guitar around your child is very helpful, but even more helpful is buying the child a toy guitar and have (him) just listen to you and watch and see if (he) has movement and if so, some praise should be enough for the time being.
Then at a latter date , I would say this is how I do it, and let (him) just get a feel for the rhythm and really not say anything more.
Then at a later date, start with them kid songs with the melody (row row row your boat) and show the fingering of the melody

after that I don't know

jamesd74 · Post by **jamesd74** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 7:29 am

I think 3 is a bit young, but my 6 year old has a paper jams which my 3 year old plays when I am listing to music. A paper jams could be a good place to start.

kayo1111 · Post by **kayo1111** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 8:01 am

If your child show signs he really wants to learn guitar it doesn't matter which age but make sure the guitar fits his size (small guitar adapted to kids). You can ask him if he wants new bike or a new guitar and to check how serious he is before you buy one.

bigiain · Post by **bigiain** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:50 pm

most kids wont sit and learn a instrument id say 9 years old plus id say

mitch2811 · Post by **mitch2811** » Mon May 16, 2011 12:36 pm

i started to learn to play the violin and bass guitar when i was 4

Street Sound · Post by **Street Sound** » Mon May 16, 2011 11:10 pm

In my experience it's really up to the parent and how much they are going to put in too.

I agree that a four year old is not going to take it on themselves to practice, but with parental influence and encouragement.. it can be done. That encouragement should not just be 'do your practice' but taking a real interest in the music and the result (even if it's not perfect letting a child know they have entertained you is a huge boost to them)

Also agree that modelling and having them watch their parent enjoying the instrument is encouragement.

with my own children, I am having them learn the basics with the piano and when they are six am letting them choose their instrument. So they will have already spent two years learning some basic music theory before they try to apply it to more than one instrument, as well as gain some finger strength and coordination. I have three months to go with my eldest to choose and she has wanted to play violin since she was three.. lately, though she is leaning towards the guitar (please say guitar, please say guitar..)

Being a teacher of music appreciation to young children (6months - 4.5) I have often found that they learn a lot by simple immersion. So many parents who think their three year old is not participating come back the next week and tell me how the child has been singing all the songs etc during the week.
So lots of different types of percussion instruments for them to listen to play with. Talk about the different sounds (pitch) and the length of sounds (staccato and legato) and the timbre of the instruments/ and then play and look at different beats. great start to music and no pressure.

crowhue · Post by **crowhue** » Tue May 17, 2011 11:38 am

Its the concentration span that matters to me, rather than age. If he's interested, can concentrate for 10 minutes or more and can physically hold the guitar, no harm in starting. I wish I had

Olly wrote:My older Son turns three next week and it got me thinking about what age I should start teaching him guitar.

I think three might be a bit too young but maybe four or five? What do you guys think?

opusmusic · Post by **opusmusic** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:54 pm

If you want to start music lessons at 3, I would recommend to take your son to a group music learning environment, such as Kinder Musik. I also think that 3 is a bit young to start. The attention won't be there, the coordination, and even reading of music will be difficult. I think that 6 is a good age to start private lessons. Good luck!

-Theresa Chen
Music Teacher in California

NicolaePaul · Post by **NicolaePaul** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 12:25 pm

Hehe, i started guitar at 17, because that's when is discovered it

and my parents have nothing to do with music or playing an instrument.

MY advice would be to see if he likes the guitar, if he want to play with it and stuff like that

.

Try to see if he is curious when you play something to him.

Anyway i think that teaching your son how to play will be a interesting challenge

Mega_Hedd · Post by **Mega_Hedd** » Sat May 04, 2013 5:29 pm

A lot of people seem to start playing when they're 12 or 13, but i say do it as soon as you can! I think teaching kids music is a great thing.

saurabhwillread · Post by **saurabhwillread** » Sat May 11, 2013 6:00 pm

I started playing when i was 12.. and wrote my first song in 14.. but most of us would be knowing that "BRYAN ADAMS" wrote a song like "SUMMER OF 69" when he was 10, so i guess at least we can start at 6 or something..