Why is the piano a good choice for my child?
Piano provides instant gratification. With the first strike of his finger, your child can create a finely tuned sound. Other instruments —
like brass, woodwind, or string instruments — require careful finger position, breath control, or mouth movements, so it takes longer to
produce a pleasing note.
It's an excellent way to learn the basics. Learning piano provides a good foundation in basic musical skills.
The piano's range is greater than all the other instruments in the orchestra (the organ has the widest range),
and musical concepts are more concrete. For instance, pitch recognition, learning to tell high notes from low notes, is simpler —
high notes are on the right side of the keyboard, and low notes are on the left side.
What is a good age to start?
Many children are ready to start traditional piano lessons at 6 years old,
some at 5. (Children can start Suzuki lessons as young as 3.) Although eye-hand
coordination is important, this is a skill that can be learned. Physical
size isn't an issue, as it might be with other instruments. (With a trumpet,
for instance, a child needs to be big enough to hold it and to finger the
valves.) Also, by this age children have developed some reading skills;
many teachers believe children should have some basic reading skills before
starting lessons. And often children's attention spans are long enough to
concentrate in class and practice for twenty to thirty minutes at a time.
Here are a variety of questions and answers for parents about the role of
piano study in child development.
What are the “3 C’s”?
They are Concentration,
Coordination and Confidence — the key non-musical benefits a child receives
from taking piano lessons.
Is it true that children take to music naturally?
Babies typically are introduced to music through lullabies. As
children grow, songs and music play a vital role in their development.
How can children improve their performance in school?
By learning and practicing the piano. When a child concentrates at
the piano, he or she develops good study habits that transfer to other endeavors.
What do piano lessons and athletics have in common?
Piano lessons require a child to use eyes, ears, arms, legs, feet and
all ten fingers. This is an excellent way to help develop hand-eye and body
coordination on the athletic field.
How can my child become more outgoing and have better
self-esteem?
Learning to play music on the piano increases a child's
confidence. Over time, this accomplishment develops into greater assurance
and pride.
Should you try to make your child a concert pianist?
Of course not. The overriding goal of studying piano is not necessarily
preparing for the concert stage, but to enjoy the experience and gain benefits
such as concentration, coordination and confidence. However if the child
is capable and is interested in taking music professionally, we will be
honored glad to pave that way.
Should a child begin to study music at a particular
age?
Best age to start the following instruments is: Between 5 and
7 years old for piano. Between 8 and 10 years old for flute or other wind
instruments. Between 12 and 14 years old for voice. Learning music will
unable your child to gain the positive attributes that will carry over into
pre-school, elementary school and beyond.
Why is the piano an educational tool for children?
It is a constructive way to learn how to concentrate and get more out
of school. It is also much better for a child to sit and play the piano
each day than to sit in front of the television for hours.
Can a music teacher make a difference in a child’s
development?
Very much so. This relationship helps a child mature
by providing careful instruction, guidance, confidence and praise, while
instilling a “can do” attitude.
Can playing the piano make your child a success in
life?
Nothing guarantees success, but observations by psychologists
have shown that children who play the piano usually earn better grades,
are more self-confident and use the benefits of their piano training throughout
their life.
Can the piano be considered an investment in a child’s
future?
This is the perfect way to describe what piano lessons
can do for a child because the benefits go beyond just learning to appreciate
music. As a child learns to concentrate at the piano, he or she is developing
skills that last a lifetime.
Do I have to have a piano or digital piano for my
child to take piano lessons? Can my child learn begin on a keyboard?
Although having a piano or digital piano is desirable, it is not necessary
for beginning students. Beginners may begin learning keyboard skills on
a small electronic keyboard for a while; however, the keyboard must have
full sized keys and at least four octaves.
By the time your child progress
musically, play dynamically (shaping the phrase of the music), and use a
pedal while playing, it is recommended that they move to a more sophisticated
keyboard or digital piano which has the three features as below. This will
ensure that they develop to use the correct key range, finger strength and
control technique while playing:
- 88 full-sized keys
- Velocity/touch sensitive
or hammer graduation action (sound louder & brighter when the keys are struck
harder)
- A damper pedal.
Am I too old to start to
learn or refresh playing the piano?
You are never too old to begin learning the piano.
Many adults are concerned that they are too old or no
longer have the ability to learn to play piano, and that is absolutely not
true. Although the best time to learn music is before age 7, adult piano
students can still develop their musically knowledge and abilities. Adult's
advantages are more focused, self-motivated, and greater intellectual powers
to grasp musical concept than the average children. The many adult students
are now taking up piano lessons in later years are living proof that it
is never too late to learn something new which opens them to have a more
enjoyable & relaxed life, especially while they receive the pleasure and
sense of accomplishment.
In addition, it is also noted that playing piano
is a good exercise if fingers are getting stiff from arthritis. |
Q uestions and A nswers
