When considering music lessons, either for yourself or a child, one of the frequently pondered questions surrounding lessons is when to get started. Is there such a thing as too early or too late?
There are many dissenting opinions out there about this. I'm NOT going to tell you what to do, because I'm fairly certain you're a competent individual with opinions of your own. I'm also certain that you know yourself and your unique needs far better than I do. Therefore, I'll simply provide you with a brief snapshot of several varying opinions on the subject, their pros and cons and then you can decide for yourself.
Opinion 1: Start Lessons as soon as possible! The earlier the better! (2-4 years old)
Pros - Starting very young gives kids the advantage of learning difficult technique and muscle memory while the brain and coordination skills are developing. This typically leads to a superior level of comfort and familiarity with the instrument at a deeper cognitive level, helping it to become more "second nature".
Cons - Starting young requires a significant amount of parental involvement, meaning attendance at every lesson and supervising practice each day.
Opinion 2: Start Lessons after Kindergarten (age 5 or 6)
Pros - Typically, after a year or two of pre-school and kindergarten, most children have enough experience with structured activities that their attention span is capable of handling private instruction more independently.
Cons - Students will still need weekly parental involvement and supervision with lessons and practice.
Opinion 3: Start Lessons at in Middle School/High School (age 10-18)
Pros - Students that start when they are older are typically more ready to practice independently and self-monitor, meaning much less parental involvement is needed. There are also many more opportunities for building community and finding support from peers in the form of band, orchestra, chorus, and theatre.
Cons - The demands on time tend to increase through middle school and high-school and building up the aforementioned good technique and posture takes time and quality practice.
Opinion 4: Start Lessons as an Adult
Pros - Adults often seek lessons because it was something they had wanted as a child, or because they quit earlier in life and regret it. Regardless of reasoning, taking up lessons is a great way to stretch the brain in new ways, to impress friends or a partner, and it's a wonderful escape from the everyday stresses of life. Also, depending on location, there are often many local ensembles for adults to join and gain valuable community.
Cons - Many adults find it hard to be patient with themselves during the initial slow learning curve of note-reading and developing proper posture/technique. Plus, adults have many demands on their time and creating a regular weekly practice routine can be a challenge.
Overall Takeaways:
Start when you are ready - Each individual is unique. If someone, wether child or adult, expresses strong interest in learning an instrument, chances are it's a good time to start lessons.
Find a teacher that's a good fit - There are a lot of different teachers out there, all with different training and strengths. It's worth speaking with a potential teacher about their preferred age group as well as their overall teaching philosophy and values. Trial lessons are a fantastic way to get to know a teacher, their teaching style and to see if it's a good fit for more long-term study.
Most importantly of all, it's never too late to start learning something new! Learning is great for the brain and it's fun, too!
Ready to get started? Sign up for a trial lesson and let's start learning together!
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