Tomoko asserts, “You can start learning how to play the
piano at any age.” However, starting piano lessons too early can be a waste of
money. Here are some guidelines.
First, the child should WANT to learn how to play. If there
is a piano or electric keyboard around, does the child show interest and
gravitate to it? Pushing a reluctant child into piano lessons invites
frustration and family fights.
Is the child emotionally ready? Can the child follow
directions? Is the child willing to accept instruction – and criticism? Does
the child have a long enough attention span to sit still, practice and
persevere?
Is the child physically ready? Can the child place his hands
parallel to the ground when seated so he doesn’t have to strain when reaching
the piano? Does the child have enough finder strength to press the piano keys
down effectively? (A good way to tell is if the child can hold onto objects
without dropping them.) Does the child have sufficient fine motor skills; for
instance, can he color within a picture’s lines and draw letters accurately?
Does the child have enough stamina to last through a 20-minute lesson without
getting tired?
Is the child cognitively ready? Can the child tell between her
left and right hand? Can the child count? Does the child know the alphabet? Can
the child learn how to read notes?
AND are the parents ready to encourage and support the
child?
Even if children aren’t ready to take piano lessons, they
can still be encouraged to become familiar with the piano. They can explore how
sounds are made on the piano. They can discover the relationship between the
sequence of the keys and the associated pitch from low to high. They can watch
people play the piano, and enjoy the music that is created. The piano player
can also point out how a piano score notes correspond to the keys, just as
letter shapes correspond to sounds (generally).
Just as there is reading readiness, there is musical reading
and performance readiness. And a lifetime of learning and enjoyment.
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