Many parents dream that their 1-year-old might be a musical genius.
Who knows — little Johnny might just pick up an instrument and start playing a concerto.
Chances are it’s not going to happen that way. The odds that your little ones are music prodigies are slim.
But how do parents know when children are interested in learning to play an instrument? When is the right time to start your children on music lessons? What are the signs it might be time to learn about treble clefs and half notes?
There are many factors to figuring out whether a child is ready for music lessons, said Rick Seifert, a piano teacher and president of the Snohomish County Music Teacher’s Association.
A good attention span is one aspect of readiness, he said. Balance and coordination for rhythm on both sides of the body are others.
If they like to ride a bike or go inline-skating then these balancing activities will help with music lessons.
"Take them ice skating," Seifert said.
Exposing small children to poetry and rhymes also helps because they learn about steady beats.
They "internalize the beat to put rhythm on top of it," Seifert said.
Some children can play music intuitively at a young age, that’s not often the case. Parents have to ask themselves if the desire for music lessons is coming from their child or from themselves.
"If they are willing to take lessons, that’s one thing," Seifert said.
Seifert believes that age 5 is exceptional for a student to be learning, practicing and keeping up a music schedule.
Staying focused on practice can be a challenge, Seifert said. With some students everything and anything can get in the way, and soon lessons and practice become an uphill battle.
The investments of time and money can be wasted if students are not committed to practice. The routine might be easy to follow on rainy days, but the distraction of friends playing outside, Nintendo and television can upset a routine.
Seifert advises children to practice at the same time every day and to stick to a schedule. Students need to realize they have to practice through summer breaks.
Making it a priority in the family is helpful. Put up a sign that says "Suzy’s piano lesson is at this time," Seifert said.
Natasha Davis, 16, and her sister Grace Davis, 12, practice piano once or twice a day for 30 minutes to an hour, seven days a week. Natasha practices more, sometimes taking a break from homework.
"I want to feel the keys more than a pencil," Natasha said.
Grace, who is home-schooled, is able to go to the piano on and off during the day.
"I like Beethoven a lot," Grace said. "I wanted to learn his songs."
The piano in the Davis home in Mukilteo has been in the family for 18 years.
"It sat silent until two years ago," said Monika Davis, Grace and Natasha’s mother.
Two years ago, she asked her children who would like to play?
Monika Davis believes that learning to play the piano has helped Grace battle dyslexia, as she has greatly increased her reading skills.
"Piano is like gymnastics of the fingers and brain," Monika Davis said.
The sisters encourage each other to practice, and when they first started were surprised at the amount of counting that is involved, the scales and fingering they had to learn.
"You have to keep the beat," Natasha said.
Although the sisters are at an intermediate level of piano skills, it feels good to have music in the house.
"It’s never too late to play an instrument," Monika Davis said.
The youngest child that Seifert will teach is a 5-year-old. He is quick to point out that between girls and boys this age group learns differently.
"A 5-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl are very different," Seifert said.
From 5 to 6 years old is a big development time.
"Often girls are much more advanced in motor skills," Seifert said.
Short music sessions are best for young children. That way they don’t get bored and can keep their attention on the lesson.
If a 5- or 6-year-old child is sitting down to read a book, that may be one sign that he or she has the discipline for committing to 30 minutes a day, six days a week of practice, Seifert said.
Connie Schatz, department head and faculty member of the Early Childhood Education Department at Edmonds Community College, said she hesitates to put an age on when children might begin lessons or a music practice schedule.
A child who is 5 or younger might be a rarity when it comes to learning to play an instrument, but it does happen.
Think "what are they going to stay with and explore?" Schatz said.
Looking at when children understand the long-term outcome of what they are doing and their ability to have the discipline to stick to a practice schedule varies. Personality differences as well as differences in development should all be taken into consideration.
"It’s quite individual," Schatz said.
Seifert who taught in public schools for many years maintains that if there is a piano or a keyboard in the home and children show interest then obviously, that’s a sign. Many children take an interest in musical instruments when they are presented to them in school around fifth grade, or church.
"That’s where some of the kids get their first exposure," to instruments such as strings or brass, Seifert said.
Learning to play a musical instrument takes many years. To make headway Seifert advises making a two- to three-year commitment to piano or violin.
"It’s up to Mom and Dad to say, ‘We want you to value this and continue,’ " Seifert said.
If children just are not interested in music lessons and it becomes a struggle for parents, it’s up to them to step in and not put the music teacher in the middle.
"I’d rather let the child take a couple of years off and mature," Seifert said.
Reporter Christina Harper: 425-339-3491 or harper@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
