Learning an instrument - questions for musicians or parents of kids who are musical

[Miss.September]

- what age would you start?
I don't think there is a great deal of point doing lessons until a child can read relatively well (so mid-first year of school for many). If you want your kid to be an international concert pianist, sure, start them with Suzuki when they are 2. But for those who want to give their child a musical education, 5-8 is a good age to start. Bear in mind if you start them when they are very young you really need to commit to supervising their practice (especially if they can't read what they are meant to be doing)

Why do you say this? My DD1 is 4, can't read (she recognizes a handful of words) but has no problem reading music. Just wondering what your experience is to say this and whether my DD will have problems down the track (I wasn't anticipating any!).

[surprised]

Hi PacRak,

That's awesome that your daughter is doing so well. In my experience this isn't usual and I can't see that she'd have any probs down the track.

Generally teaching kids who can't read means they can't read their practice notes and any words written on the music itself, so they go to practice and don't have a clue what to do. If the parent helps them that can make it work, but most parents just don't have the time for this.

So relax and enjoy your daughter's beautiful music!