At What Age Can My Child Start Music Lessons?

In reality there are two kinds of music lessons for children. One kind for young students which serve as an introduction to music and its elements; rhythm, melody, patterns etc. They become the foundation upon which instruction for instrumental proficiency is built for lessons at an older age. Given the right program and teacher this kind of lessons can start as early as infancy if enrolled in an early childhood music class. BUT…

You’re probably thinking of what most people think of when they think of music lessons; one on one instruction. Most kids are usually able to handle this kind of lesson with minimal fussing around age 7, some a little younger, others a little bit older.

Considerations

One of the main factors is whether or not the teacher can keep the student engaged and motivated. If your child lost interest in lessons after taking some, then it could be that the teacher was not able to keep them engaged rather than the student deciding they didn’t like music. If this is the case, try another teacher before throwing in the towel on music for your child.

One way to gauge if your child is ready for lessons is to see how they behave in other activities where they have to follow instructions from an adult like in a sports team or dance class. Their behavior in those activities is often reflective of how they will handle a music lesson.

Consider that music lessons are usually one-on-one as opposed to a group. Doing things in a group is usually more motivating and fun for young children, and therefore more engaging. HOWEVER there is a small minority of children who prefer doing things one on one. So, remember that when assessing your child in this way.

In my opinion, the best age to start lessons is whenever your child asks for them, or has demonstrated that they have an interest in lessons by playing make-shift instruments. My mother tells me that I used to take her wooden cooking spoons and drum on everything in the house. Even if you think your child might be too young, they may be ready for the task; Especially if they seem to making music with anything they get their hands on. Just be sure to find a teacher who has experience with young children.

Lessons Lite

One strategy that works well is if you have one child already taking lessons. For example, you have a child taking 30-minute lessons. Pay their teacher for an hour, and the child that has been taking 30-minute lessons can do 40 or 45 minutes, and the new student can do 15 or 20 minutes. This will give your and child an easy transition into lessons, or what I like to call, music lessons “lite,” and give you an idea of their readiness for on-one-on one lessons.

I normally start with at least four “lite” lessons at 15 minutes.I add a little more time to the lesson over the course of a few weeks until I end up at 30 minute lessons for the younger student. Sometimes I have to stay in a 15/45 or 20/40 split for along while. Different children will be ready for and acclimate to longer lessons at different times. If you only have ONE CHILD however, then you will probably have to start them off on 30 minute lessons. Shop around for local private teachers to see if they have their own version of "lite" lessons. You may have to be in the room with them until your child feels comfortable with their new teacher. You may want to try to “participate” in the lesson every now and again to encourage more engagement. It is difficult for young children to be focused, so resist the urge to quell every instance of distraction.

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Conclusion

The truth is there is no best age to start music lessons. Generally speaking the best time to start is yesterday, the second best is today. So long as your child can hold the instrument and demonstrates a willingness to learn, then they are most likely ready regardless of their age. If you are not sure, you can gently “nudge” them slowly into lessons by having a few one-off lessons to see if they are up for it.

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Further Reading

todaysparent.com/kids/start-music-lessons/

pbs.org/parents/thrive/whats-the-right-age-to-begin-music-lessons