Most people – especially the parent – ask what the best age to start the piano is. While one can start piano lessons at any age, most music teachers suggest that the prime years are between the age of 6 and 9 years.
Mastering the skills of playing piano depends largely on the student’s willingness to accept the instruction and practice. This means that any person, be it a child or an adult, can start piano and become proficient in it.
Is there an age that is too early or too late to start? There is no clear-cut answer to this because history is replete with cases where great musicians started early and others late. For instance, Mozart, one of the most famous and influential composers, began playing at the age of three, while Albert Frantz, a world-class pianist, began at the age of 17.
However, they are advantages to starting early as well. For starters, you get to have many years of practice, which can help you master advanced piano skills and become a successful musician.
Signs Your Child Is Ready for Piano
1. Size of Hand
Piano requires the use of fingers to press the keys. Therefore, your child should have hands large enough to cover and comfortably use the keyboard.
2. Interest in Music
This is arguably the most critical factor that will determine the progress of the piano lessons. Playing music via piano or keyboard should be fun and exciting. A child should not feel as if a piano lesson and practice is drudgery.
Otherwise, they will hate it and find it difficult. A child who has an interest in music will be receptive to instruction and will be happy to practice often.
So how do you develop the interest for music in your child? For starters, you can cultivate the enthusiasm for music by playing colorful melodies, singing and dancing together with your child.
3. Cognitive Capacity to Distinguish Between Left and Right
Playing the piano requires the use of both the left and the right hands. A student should be old enough to distinguish between the right and the left. This is important because it makes it easier for the instructor to teach and for the student to understand.
4. Finger Independence
Related to the size of the hand is the capacity to control fingers independent of the others. What this means is that the child should be able to, say, lift the index finger without lifting the others.
The child should be able to work with each finger as they move from one key to another. If a child uses one finger to press all the keys, it means they haven’t developed the proper condition skills. However, if the child can make a little effort to move the finger independent of the others, they can strengthen and perfect their reflexes with a bit of more practice.
5. Developed Basic Motor Skills
A child should have developed motor skills and coordination to be able to play the piano. Interestingly, playing piano has been shown to improve and strengthen motor skills—talk of a curious interplay between cause and effect.
6. Sustained Focus
Small children are inherently curious and are easily distracted by the surrounding. Trying to teach a kid who cannot concentrate is difficult and a waste of time and money – with no gain. We recommend you monitor your child and establish whether they can focus for at least 30 minutes.
7. Ability to Count
Music has a mathematical element to it, and it is essential to be able to count up to 4. Why four, you may ask? Because four is the most common measure of music – most songs have four beats in a bar. Thus, knowing how to count will help the student acquire the vital timing concepts of music and also have a sense of rhythm.
8. Commitment and Motivation
Commitment and motivation are the nut and bolt of learning piano. Whatever the age you are starting piano, you should be aware that the speed of your progress will depend on how much time you commit to practicing. Even if children are in their prime years, they might fail to learn if they are unmotivated.
Like any instrument, you should dedicate a minimum of 30 minutes a day for practice.
Is It Too Early?
Yes. There is an age where it is too early to subject the kid to formal learning of piano. If your child shows interest in piano before the age of five, you should allow them to play with the instrument to satisfy their curiosity and explore it.
However, at this stage, you should avoid formal instruction because their attention span is still low and may fail to respond to a structured way of learning.
At this tender age, we recommend you help develop the interest of music by listening, singing, and dancing to your favorite music. This will help you bond with your kid, and also help create a sense of rhythm and the attitude that music is fun and enjoyable.
Is It Too Late?
Learning never stops, and no one is too old to learn something new. The same principle applies to Piano training.
While some educators may argue that there is a prime year for starting piano, there are plenty of cases providing evidence of people who started learning the piano at an advanced age and mastered the skill exceptionally well.
Therefore, if you think you – or your child – have missed the boat and it’s too late to start piano, you are wrong. The most valuable factors are commitment, willingness to learn, practice, practice, and more practice.
If you start piano at an advanced age, it is crucial to maintain a mental state of playfulness and avoid being hard on yourself. Adults may tend to be frustrated with their progress and underestimate the time and effort required to master the skill.
However, with practice, consistency, and realistic expectation, an adult can learn at the same rate or even faster than their children (in the prime years) counterparts.
What the Ideal Age to Start Piano?
The best age to start piano is between the age of 6 and 9. This is because the child has fully developed hands and motor skills to handle the keyboard effectively.
Studies show these prime years – between 5 and 9 – are best for learning new languages and music. Moreover, between the ages of 5 to 9, most children don’t have a lot of activities that take up much of their time, which means they can dedicate more time to practice. Past this age, life can get busier, thus leaving little time to focus on training.
Benefits of Starting Piano Early
Research has shown that playing instruments enhances children’s cognitive skills, boost confidence, and sharpen motor skills. Besides, music can lead to a profitable and fulfilling career.
Starting piano has many advantages. For instance:
1. The student can internalize key concepts earlier in life, laying the foundation for more advanced concepts later on.
2. The piano is a gateway to learning other instruments.
Final Thought
The best age to start piano is not straightforward as it depends on the person and their goal. However, when it comes to children, the recommended age is between 6-9 years because this is the peak moment when their brains are able to pick music and languages easily. Besides, they have plenty of time to practice and have fun.
Nevertheless, no matter the age, learning piano largely depends on the student’s willingness to accept instruction from the teacher and to practice.
Learning how to play music is beneficial to the body and mind, and therefore age should not be a factor. Whatever your age, you can start and become a master of the art.