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kristacecilia
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| Posted: Feb 25 2010 at 7:45am | IP Logged
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My DS (almost 6) is completely taken with the electronic keyboard my grandmother gave us. He has worked his way through John Thompson's 'Teaching Little Fingers to Play' (which was my dad's piano book- also donated to us by my grandmother). Now he's trying to memorize every song in the book.
I brought out the only other piano music I have in the house- Alan Jemison's 36 Catholic Hymns, and now he's teaching himself the Stabat Mater for Lent.
He will frequently run to the keyboard throughout the day and play a song from memory or one that he is practicing for a few minutes before running off to play again.
I can read music, and I have taught myself the same amount of piano he has, but I feel like he would really enjoy/benefit from formal lessons. I did contact one local teacher a year or so ago and she said she would take him on for $20/half hour weekly lesson, using the Bastien books, but only if we got a real piano for him to practice on.
I am looking at getting a real piano anyway (I have always wanted to own one!)- I have been browsing used sites like Craig's List and found several that look promising.
I just feel like that's a lot of money to be investing if he is still too young. I don't want him getting burnt out or hating piano when he is older because I put him in early. Plus, $20/week is almost all the money we allot towards ALL our homeschooling materials for the year. That's a big investment for us.
At the same time, though, I don't want him forming too many bad habits that have to be corrected if/when he does go on to formal lessons.
I do have the Bastien Level 1 books flagged to purchase for next year's curriculum, with the plan that he can just continue learning on his own. We still have the plans to get the piano.
When is the ideal time to switch to formal lessons?
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guitarnan
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I'm not sure. Some teachers won't take students younger than eight years old because they've found it doesn't work out for them. Ours does (and uses the Bastien books).
One thought - tell everyone you know that you're looking for a piano. We got ours for free when a church friend replaced it with a new piano. Same with the piano books (although, of course, they may have teacher notes written in them if they're used).
Also, check around for other teachers. Where I live, the going rate is $18 - $20 per lesson, but we were paying $15 for the first three years dd took piano because our teacher was new. She just raised her rates last month.
How wonderful that your son is so musical!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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hmbress
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| Posted: Feb 25 2010 at 8:28am | IP Logged
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You may also want to look into the Suzuki method which offers music instruction for many instruments (including piano) at younger ages than usual.
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Anastasia
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| Posted: Feb 25 2010 at 10:32am | IP Logged
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Craigslist has a lot of free pianos, but check the sound before you haul it away. If you have a friend who knows pianos, ask him along. And if your son is interested, by all means let him start piano lessons now, a lot of kids start playing around age six. I know this won't be possible for a few years, but once he's fairly proficient, he can make money as an accompianist.
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kristacecilia
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| Posted: Feb 25 2010 at 11:51am | IP Logged
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Thanks for all your help, ladies!
I guess we need to get in gear getting the piano. I browse our used site quite a bit watching them, and there are always quite a few. We're getting new living room furniture next week and DH wanted to wait until after that was in to bring a piano in as well.
I will mention to people that we are looking for a piano. I know our church has an extra one in the basement just sitting there that is never (or very rarely) used. They are planning to do renovations in the area where it is kept currently. I have wondered several times if they're looking for a new home. :)
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CandaceC
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| Posted: Feb 25 2010 at 1:54pm | IP Logged
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I have a music degree and taught piano for years before my 3rd baby came along.
Every teacher is different. 
I can tell you from personal experience, that *generally* younger boys don't do as well, simply because they aren't great at sitting on the piano bench for 30 minutes.
That said, I always tell parents that if there is a sincere INTEREST that has lasted longer than a few days (ha ha) then I think around age 6yrs would be great!
I took beginners at age 5-6yrs when I taught. I, myself, started lessons when I was 4yrs. But not everyone will accept a 4yr old to teach.
One other thought for you, when looking for a teacher, try to ask around, get opinions, find someone who is GOOD with young children!! I think that is a MAJOR advantage to whether a child ENJOYS the lessons or ends up hating the piano because of a mean/harsh piano teacher who is too strict.
You want the child to ENJOY the music...do whatever you can to make that happen.  He will succeed moreso in the long run and stick with it longer if the lessons are enjoyable and the teacher tries to make it fun, play games, etc.
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Candace - wife to David since 2000...mommy to Hannah (Feb. 2002), Emily (April 2003) and Caleb (March 2005)
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Heliodora
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Since he has shown such an interest, and if you can afford it, I would definitely get him started with lessons. Personally, I really dislike the Bastien books, so I'd second the recommendation to look into a Suzuki teacher. I've started my kids on Suzuki piano, violin, and guitar, and I can't say how impressed I am with the method. Kids really enjoy it. I wish I had learned that way- my parents would have saved a lot of money. Suzuki is especially good for younger children since you are not required to read notes right away.
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Feb 25 2010 at 9:37pm | IP Logged
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My piano teacher suggests you look around for free pianos (she got hers for free via Craigslist). She says she hears about free pianos all the time.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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violingirl
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I'm a suzuki and traditional teacher for piano, violin and viola.
Every teacher is comfortable taking kids at different ages and I think with a boy under 8-ish it's important to find a teacher that really enjoys working with young kids. I personally take students as young as 3 1/2, but not all Suzuki teachers (and far less traditional teachers) will start that young. I just really love teaching preschoolers. :)
I dislike the Bastien books as well. If you'd like a really great series that he can do with a little bit of help from you for awhile (to see if he's interested) Piano Town by Keith Snell (published by Kjos) is a really great series. I particularly use it with my male students because it uses short to-the-point lessons (actually very CM when I think about it!) and the books are very self-explanatory. There are 4 books per level and the primer level prices out to around $25, which is great for a set that typically takes 6-9 months to get through. It is important to use the books together to get a rounded look at beginner piano.
I second the suggestion to watch Craig's list for cheap/free pianos. Several of my students have gotten their first pianos that way.
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Erin
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violingirl
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I'm a suzuki and traditional teacher for piano, violin and viola.
Every teacher is comfortable taking kids at different ages and I think with a boy under 8-ish it's important to find a teacher that really enjoys working with young kids. I personally take students as young as 3 1/2, but not all Suzuki teachers (and far less traditional teachers) will start that young. I just really love teaching preschoolers. :) Most of my boys do really well starting in 1st grade, and for a few they're able to start a year before that- kind of depends on a combo of their level of desire and their ability to sit still in 5 minute increments (that's what I expect anyway. Another teacher may expect him to be able to focus for the full lesson, and in that case I'd wait if your son doesn't have a great attention span).
I dislike the Bastien books as well. If you'd like a really great series that he can do with a little bit of help from you for awhile (to see if he's interested) Piano Town by Keith Snell (published by Kjos) is a really great series. I particularly use it with my male students because it uses short to-the-point lessons (actually very CM when I think about it!) and the books are very self-explanatory. There are 4 books per level and the primer level prices out to around $25, which is great for a set that typically takes 6-9 months to get through. It is important to use the books together to get a rounded look at beginner piano.
I second the suggestion to watch Craig's list for cheap/free pianos. Several of my students have gotten their first pianos that way.
I would also call around to several teachers and interview with them before just grabbing an available spot. Depending on what area you live in $20 is a lot for a 30 minute lesson. I live in a major metro in the midwest and lesson fees are usually $12-18 depending on the experience of the teacher.
I'd be happy to answer any other questions you might have too. :)
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Erin
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Lori
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I was surfing the net and saw this series of videos on eHow for teaching music/piano to children...I watched them all, and got some really neat ideas from it.
eHow Tips for Teaching Music to Children
Might be good for parents who aren't quite ready to make the jump to formal lessons yet...and it doesn't seem that you need to know that much about music yourself to do the teaching...
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Angel
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On free pianos... I know a mom of 11 who suggests that the first thing she does when she sees a need to be filled in her family (somebody wants piano lessons, they need a new dance teacher, etc.) is to pray. She says that something always comes up.
Last year we were thinking about getting a piano. All the used pianos we could find were outrageously expensive. We had talked to various people about our desire for a piano, but nobody knew of any other pianos out there. So my husband took this mom's advice and said a prayer.
Not long after, the secretary where he works said she had been driving a back road and noticed a sign for a free piano. It was exactly the right size for our living room -- a bit small for an upright. We had to pay piano movers and that wasn't free, but it was a lot cheaper than having to buy a piano!
Anyway, that's our piano story. I guess the moral of the story is that God comes through for our kids!
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Angela
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: When to start formal instrument lessons?
