Getting your child enrolled in piano lessons at an early age can be one of the best decisions you make. Not only does learning how to play the piano teach your child a great deal of discipline, but it also teaches your child how to read and play music, which can be an extremely valuable skill throughout life.
Still, if you're considering piano lessons for your little one, there are a few things you should know before you make that commitment.
Is Your Child Physically Ready?
If your child is younger in age, then you'll want to make sure he or she is physically ready to learn how to play the piano. This is something a lot of parents don't realize. Specifically, your child should be able to sit down and place his or her hands out on a table in front of him or her; when doing this, is your child able to extend all fingers parallel to the table surface? If not, then your child is not quite physically ready for the demands of playing the piano.
What About Mentally/Emotionally?
While most children are physically able to play the piano around the age of five, it's important that you consider your child's level of emotional readiness before you sign up for any classes. In fact, a good piano instructor will probably have your child go through some initial tests to check for musical aptitude and focus before agreeing to take him or her on as a student.
Choosing the Right Piano Instructor
Speaking of piano instructors, you truly get what you pay for. Ideally, you'll want to find an instructor who has experience in working with students of your child's age. You should always sit down with a potential instructor for an interview before enrolling your child in classes, so you can get a better feel for how the instructor interacts with your child and vice versa.
Avoid the Mistake of "Gauging Interest"
Finally, understand that once your child enrolls in piano classes, this should be seen as a permanent commitment and not something that you "test the waters" with. If your child isn't 100% committed to learning in the early stages, he or she will likely develop bad habits that could take years to undo later on. Make sure, then, that your child understands how much of a commitment this is and is fully ready to give it his or her all.
For more information, contact your local piano school.
When I was seven-years-old, my parents signed me up for private piano lessons. Whenever I had a lesson, my teacher and I were the only people in the room. Therefore, my instructor could give me her undivided attention. Even better, I could listen to my teacher and concentrate on playing the piano without having to worry about any noise being made by others. After mere months of private lessons, I was ready to play the piano in my first recital. On this blog, I hope you will discover the amazing advantages of taking private lessons to learn how to play your favorite instrument. Enjoy!