What age should I start my child in music lessons?

Music. It is language, it transcends language, stimulating the brain and speaking to your heart. It’s a way to communicate. And it’s something will stay with you your whole life long. Music memory is so strong, in fact, it often withstands the ravages of Alzheimer’s. I’ve had the opportunity to use my music professionally, but no matter if it leads to a career or simply to joy, learning music benefits anyone and everyone. But what age should you start your child in piano lessons? How about drums, guitar, or violin?

I’ll give you my opinion, but please feel free to chime in! This is a topic I’ve had a few messages about, probably because I’m often sharing videos in my Instagram stories of baby Paris jamming on his ukulele. It’s cute. If you don’t follow along there, you should, if only to see him go!

Music education is something that can start at birth. Actively listening to different kinds of music, talking about what instruments you hear within songs, including musical notation when you're writing out letters and numbers, all of those things make music a part of life rather than a new concept all together. Kinda like throwing or kicking a ball becoming the basis for sport, laying the foundation early means building on top of it is all the easier. And no matter if you’re musically fluent or if you can’t tell a flute from a trumpet, early childhood music classes offer such a boost. Children learn differently from other people, with peers, and from new ideas. My kids began Music Together (via We Move SK) as newborns in a mixed-age class that saw them grow into keeping time on a drum, using scarves to interpret music, and repeating complex rhythms. It was amazing to see the progress and the CD that came with the course was often the only thing that could calm my car-trip-hating baby Petra.

As for formal instruction on one instrument, here are my thoughts:

I started piano at 5 and hands are pretty small before then to do anything very instructed, so it seems like the right age to me. You can find teachers that will accept students as young as three, but now five, Petra will begin lessons this month. A five-year-old also has a solid attention span, is able to feel confident one-on-one with a teacher, can ask questions, and has good dexterity. Some people say piano lessons are appropriate when a child can tie their shoes. (Mental note: teach Petra to tie her shoes. Oops!)

Before five, violin is a great option since there are really tiny versions (down to 1/16 size!) and although I have zero experience with Suzuki, a lot of my string friends started in it because it focuses on ear training, meaning you don't have to read music yet. In early Suzuki, you as a parent will be expected to learn along on your own violin. I had planned to do it with Petra last year but here we are and it hasn't happened yet. 🤷 Oh well, there's still time.

As for guitar and drums, I think a traditional piano foundation is awesome first to cement theory, reading, and proof of dedication (my parents' rule was Grade 4 Royal Conservatory before another instrument). Many people play without formal training, it’s true, and lots of guitarists can only read tab instead of standard notation, but it’s more comfortable to knowing a language completely. There are youth guitars that can accommodate a six-or-seven-year-old, and a small drum set is easy to find.

Does five and up for piano mean your child should just use toy instruments until then? HECK NO. In my home, all the instruments are real (except a keytar Paris got as a gift), the kids have access to them, and they figure this and that out on their own. My little jazz drum kit is dismantled and every piece gets independent play.

But that’s not where exposure to real music ends! My kids enjoy concerts of every genre, I think Petra was the only 2-year-old at Beck, and now she happily sits through a trip to the Saskatoon Symphony (The Little Mermaid is coming up, mark your calendars!). Paris isn’t quite there but happily, there is a classical series made just for him: Time For Toddlers! The SSO hosts events in the community designed specifically for 2-4-year-olds, the next one being January 29th, and the engagement is absolute magic. Music, song, and dance: it’s one of the best events in town for pre-schoolers.

Now, a list of music programs in Saskatoon and local music educators that take on children 6 and under, as recommended by you. (This is your moment to comment a music teacher you feel is excellent for small children, as well as the area they teach in, so I can add them to our curated list):

Music Together at We Move - newborn +, general music

Kindermusik with Kari & Friends - walkers +, general music

Singing With Sylvia - 2-7, general music

Wilton Academy of Music - newborn +, general music into piano, violin, guitar. Suzuki and traditional avail.

Saskatoon Academy of Music - 10 mo-5 year general music; drums, brass, woodwind, violin, piano, guitar, bass, voice

Long & McQuade age is dependent on teacher, all instruments are taught. (Paris will be taking guitar from George there at some point, he’s fantastic!)

12 Strings Studios - 3+ , piano, guitar, voice, songwriting, other instruments.

Sing Like A Star - 4+, voice, ukulele, guitar, piano, pop music

Or you can find a teacher through the Saskatchewan Registered Music Teacher’ Association

Let your favourite early childhood music teacher make the list by passing along their name, area, and contact info in the comments. Perhaps make sure they are looking for new students first. In the meantime, I’ll refrain from adding a double bar. ;)

xo