Most children begin to show an affinity for music at a very young age. Some children start showing an interest in musical instruments as young as three or four years old, and five is the age many piano teachers recommend beginning lessons. But stringed instruments are a slightly different story. A violin is more complicated than a piano. So what’s the best age to begin taking violin lessons, and how do you know if your child is ready?
What’s the Right Age?
Technically speaking, there’s no “perfect age” to begin music lessons. It’s never too late to start, but it can be too early to begin. So rather than speaking about ages, let’s discuss a few pros and cons of starting early vs. starting later. By early, I mean five or six years of age. By later, I mean 5th or 6th grade, the age many children begin an organized orchestra program.
Starting early: Starting early has some distinct advantages in terms of muscle development. Violin requires excellent fine motor skills. Starting your child at a young age while their finger muscles are still developing can make it easier for them to pick up some of the detailed finger patterns required by the violin. However, starting early can also have drawbacks. Younger children need more supervision, more motivation, and more help from parents than older children do.
Starting later: Many music teachers recommend starting very small children on the piano first to give them a solid foundation in musical notation and theory before moving on to another instrument. Even if you don’t choose to give your child piano lessons, starting him or her on the violin at a later age opens up the option of joining a student orchestra. Learning with others in a group setting can be excellent motivation and can also provide a way to solidify the things learned in the weekly lesson.
Is My Child Ready?
Ultimately, the question isn’t what age you should begin. It’s whether or not your child is ready. Ask the following questions to help determine whether it’s time to choose a violin teacher:
– Has my child expressed an interest in learning an instrument?
– Can my child sit still and pay attention for 25-30 minutes at a time?
– Am I committed to helping my child with daily practice?
– Can my child follow directions?
If the answer to all these questions is yes, then talk to a violin teacher and ask what recommendations they have regarding the right time to begin lessons. As a parent, you can help you child be successful with the violin by being a motivator and cheerleader, no matter what age they first pick up the bow.
This is a TBMA original article written for our Tampa Bay Music Academy readership. If you find it to be helpful, we would love for you to re-post it on your blog. Please contact us first for permission. Visit our website home for information on finding a music teacher in Tampa, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Citrus Park, Westchase, New Port Richey, Lutz, Trinity, Keystone, or Tarpon Springs Florida who offers private piano lessons, guitar lessons, saxophone lessons, voice lessons, or music lessons in any other instrument proficiency category. TBMA teachers (piano, guitar, voice, woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion) pride themselves in a reputation for an uncompromising commitment to excellence and special care taken for every student. We remain absolutely committed to providing an outstanding enrollment experience beyond any other in the region. Call us today. We look forward to hearing from you!