New Adult Piano Student and Can a 3 Year Old Start Piano Lessons?
by Georgia Zoe Schohl
Q. I'm
a new 42 year old student who just started piano lessons. I really like
it and my teacher is great, but I'm wondering how long I should
practice? I'm so busy with three children and a husband and have a job
outside of the home which really keeps me busy. How can I do it?
Alix, Indianapolis, IND
A. It sounds like you have little time for yourself! What I would do if I were you is set aside small daily increments of time (if possible) where you can practice at least 15 to 20 minutes.You don't mention how old your children are, but assuming they are young and need supervision, ask your husband to watch them for 15 - 20 minutes.
Only you know what the best time of day that would be. Also, some people can get a lot of practice in on the weekend, so make use of it if that works for you. If you miss a day or two, don't worry!
Just get some time in---set it up in your schedule and stick with the plan. There are bound to be events and appointments that come up, but just return to your schedule the next day. Since you're a beginner you won't need to practice for hours. (Not yet anyway!)
Q. I'd like to enroll my 3 year old son in private piano lessons. He just loves going over to the piano and makes up songs and sings. My husband and I believe that he is very talented. Would any teacher take a 3 year old for piano lessons? I've been told by my friends that he's way too young for piano lessons. He keeps asking me when he can take lessons like his older cousin. What should I do?
Anonymous, Fresno, CA
A. It sounds like you're doing the right thing by encouraging and praising him for his singing and playing. Keep applauding and listen to him perform!
Most teachers would not take a 3 year old for private piano lessons just yet. But what you can do is enroll him in a classroom music program such as Kindermusik where he is in a step by step program with other children that enjoy singing and performing. It's a good way to place him with other children and have fun with music at the same time.
As for piano lessons, some teachers will take them beginning at age 5 ( I have done that) but most start around 7 or 8, depending on the teacher. Don't forget at age 3 a child's hands are still very small and cannot reach too many keys and the attention span is shorter. Wait until he grows and matures, then you will probably find a willing teacher to accept him as a student.
Q. My 7 yr. old daughter wants to try out piano but we don't know whether to rent a piano or get an inexpensive portable 61 key keyboard instead. I don't like the idea of a monthly rental piano fee, but I feel that the keyboard is not enough for my child because it's not really a piano.
What should I do? I heard some piano teachers would not take my child if she has no access to a piano for practicing. I hate to spend a lot of extra money if my daughter decides she does not like it.
Dee, Louisville, KY
A.Your dilemma is more common than you think. Many parents don't want to spend money on piano rental or purchase a piano if they are not sure if their child will like it. And many piano instructors want the student to have an access to a piano for practice--otherwise why sign up for piano if you don't have a piano?
For the first several months of lessons it would be alright to use a keyboard just to get used to the keys and start note reading. But you will have to get access to a piano at a friend or relative's home or maybe you can find facilities at a church or school.
If you are short on space, don't forget you can also buy a compact 88 key keyboard, which is the same number of keys that a piano has, and you can get a pedal attachment for it like a regular piano. But remember that a 61 key keyboard will not help your child as she progresses to expand her range on the keyboard, because the smaller keyboards are limited in their range and the action is quite different than a piano.
If you do choose the smaller keyboard, make it a short term temporary solution. It will be more of a hindrance later than helpful. There are no real benefits for using a keyboard as a piano substitute as the student will be confused where to place her hands on the keyboard, the extreme difference of the key action, the range of octaves is much shorter making it confusing for the student, and there's no chance to play with expression as she plays.
Alix, Indianapolis, IND
A. It sounds like you have little time for yourself! What I would do if I were you is set aside small daily increments of time (if possible) where you can practice at least 15 to 20 minutes.You don't mention how old your children are, but assuming they are young and need supervision, ask your husband to watch them for 15 - 20 minutes.
Only you know what the best time of day that would be. Also, some people can get a lot of practice in on the weekend, so make use of it if that works for you. If you miss a day or two, don't worry!
Just get some time in---set it up in your schedule and stick with the plan. There are bound to be events and appointments that come up, but just return to your schedule the next day. Since you're a beginner you won't need to practice for hours. (Not yet anyway!)
Q. I'd like to enroll my 3 year old son in private piano lessons. He just loves going over to the piano and makes up songs and sings. My husband and I believe that he is very talented. Would any teacher take a 3 year old for piano lessons? I've been told by my friends that he's way too young for piano lessons. He keeps asking me when he can take lessons like his older cousin. What should I do?
Anonymous, Fresno, CA
A. It sounds like you're doing the right thing by encouraging and praising him for his singing and playing. Keep applauding and listen to him perform!
Most teachers would not take a 3 year old for private piano lessons just yet. But what you can do is enroll him in a classroom music program such as Kindermusik where he is in a step by step program with other children that enjoy singing and performing. It's a good way to place him with other children and have fun with music at the same time.
As for piano lessons, some teachers will take them beginning at age 5 ( I have done that) but most start around 7 or 8, depending on the teacher. Don't forget at age 3 a child's hands are still very small and cannot reach too many keys and the attention span is shorter. Wait until he grows and matures, then you will probably find a willing teacher to accept him as a student.
Q. My 7 yr. old daughter wants to try out piano but we don't know whether to rent a piano or get an inexpensive portable 61 key keyboard instead. I don't like the idea of a monthly rental piano fee, but I feel that the keyboard is not enough for my child because it's not really a piano.
What should I do? I heard some piano teachers would not take my child if she has no access to a piano for practicing. I hate to spend a lot of extra money if my daughter decides she does not like it.
Dee, Louisville, KY
A.Your dilemma is more common than you think. Many parents don't want to spend money on piano rental or purchase a piano if they are not sure if their child will like it. And many piano instructors want the student to have an access to a piano for practice--otherwise why sign up for piano if you don't have a piano?
For the first several months of lessons it would be alright to use a keyboard just to get used to the keys and start note reading. But you will have to get access to a piano at a friend or relative's home or maybe you can find facilities at a church or school.
If you are short on space, don't forget you can also buy a compact 88 key keyboard, which is the same number of keys that a piano has, and you can get a pedal attachment for it like a regular piano. But remember that a 61 key keyboard will not help your child as she progresses to expand her range on the keyboard, because the smaller keyboards are limited in their range and the action is quite different than a piano.
If you do choose the smaller keyboard, make it a short term temporary solution. It will be more of a hindrance later than helpful. There are no real benefits for using a keyboard as a piano substitute as the student will be confused where to place her hands on the keyboard, the extreme difference of the key action, the range of octaves is much shorter making it confusing for the student, and there's no chance to play with expression as she plays.
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