My daughter is 5 and I would like her to start playng the piano. We live in Orlando Fl. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

The first question I have is, does she want to play the piano? if she is not interested right now, you are going to have a heck of a time trying to get her to sit down and practice the music and techniques that her teacher has given her. Believe me, I started playing the violin at three and I WANTED to learn how to play...I fought with my mom for a long time about practicing. I'm so glad that I never gave up.
Secondly, if she wants to play the piano, or another instrument for that matter, have her start with the Suzuki Method of Teaching. Suzuki teaches the student how to play an instrument through listening techniques and repetition. It is a great way for a young musician to start. I was involved in Suzuki until I was about 10 and it is one of the best things that my parents could have done. While learning to read music is not a priority for Suzuki, I am now able to pick up pieces quite easily just by hearing them. Once she reaches about 10 or so, switch to a traditional teacher who focuses on sight reading and upper level performance.
Starting your daughter on an instrument at a young age is an awesome idea. Just don't push her to start if she doesnt want to. The last thing you want is a kid who hates you because you wanted her to be the best and always forced her to practice. Try to get her interested in music! Also, why not start her on an instrument that not many people play, such as the viola or oboe/bassoon. I wish that I played one of those instruments, too. They are in such a great demand in many orchestras and colleges...something that stands out. Best of Luck! Music is Life!

Answer 2

I think that's wonderful that you want to start her that early. My mom started piano lessons at 5 years old and she has been playing for 39 years. She is very talented and plays beautifully. My suggestion is get her interested in it first by taking her to see somebody that is professional and then find a certified teacher to send her to. Enforce piano practice at home very diligently. There will be many times that she won't want to practice but she will thank you later for making her.
I have been playing piano since I was 8 years old and I love it. Be sure to help her in any way you can even if you don't know music. And maybe once in a while ask her to teach you a thing or two. That might enhance the fun in her individual learning process.
When she is of age, encourage her to be in her school band as well, so that you know she is continuing to get new perspectives on music and she is becoming a well-rounded musician and person.
I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Yes, first of all, go to the MTNA (music teachers national association) website. I believe there should be a way to find certified piano teachers in your area.

Before accepting any teacher, make sure that they have either a certificate in piano pedagogy from an accredited university, or even better a college major, or masters degree in piano pedagogy.

Its tempting to go to the nice lady down the street, however, in many cases, they don't have the expertise to be able to teach well.

Be sure that the teacher makes you and your children feel comfortable. You might want to ask if you can observe a few lessons before you sign on the dotted line long term.

Now, a good teacher will have some intake requirements (basic coordination issues, like being able to wiggle specific fingers on command) that if your child hasn't quite reached your teacher might suggest waiting for a certain amount of time. If that is what they say, respect it, because your child will not have a very good chance of learning well without those basic requirements.

Ask your child's prospective teacher how they would teach your child to practice. Listen for specific answers such as "add-on technique" Listen for a well-thought out strategy.

Ask you child's prospective teacher how they teach the basic physical movements and how they relate to the sound. Many teachers who haven't studied adequetely have no concept of this, and thus greatly cripples their student's ability to create the sound that they want to, and that they hear internally.

Also ask the teacher how much music theory they have been exposed to (classes etc) and how well they did. Also ask if they teach basic improvisation and sight reading skills.

Also ask what type of method they tend to use. Steer clear of middle C methods that begin without pre-staff notation. They dump way too much on the child at once without giving them much interest in sound creation and the physical movements.

PLEASE READ THIS, I HAVE TO COMMENT ON ANSWER #4!!!

The language learning pathways in the brain begin to be switched over to other functions at the time this person is recommending starting which will make the language learning part of music very difficult. These ages are remarkably late. I'm sure this person meant well, but 40 years of teaching children and the less specific music education DOES NOT qualify one to be able to tell one one is old enough to study PIANO. That age varies from child to child to be determined by a qualified piano teacher who has a set of qualifications as I have mentioned before. Don't trust anyone who doesn't have specific knowledge about Piano Pedagogy to be able to tell your child when to start.

I am sure this person meant well, however, NOBODY who has not sat down with your child and interviewed them has the ability to say whether or not your daughter is ready for lessons!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

It depends on the level you want your child to arrive at. If you want your child to be a professional concert pianist, contact a local university or professional piano studio to start researching good piano teachers right away. You want to get your child started right away.

If you want your child to be able to play in bars and clubs on the side, you can probably wait just a couple of years. Don't wait too long, however, because the cerebral cortex of the brain starts to change with the onset of puberty; new skills, such as learning to read music, become very difficult starting at around the age of ten or twelve.

If you want your child to be a skilled hobbyist, you can probably find a teacher through your church or a local music store who can teach fingering and notes. This is best if you want your child to be able to play at parties or accompany the hymns at church. However, the higher you want your child to ascend as a musician, the more skilled and experienced of a teacher you want. Evaluate your child's piano teacher's resume with the same eagle eye you would give to her pediatrician.

In response to answer #4 on this question, be careful how you lump all musicians together. Teachers with a background in "music education" tend to be trained at coaching a school band or choir, not in teaching specific instruments. But different instruments have different target dates at which you need to start your child learning. If you want your child to be an orchestral percussionist, for instance, you can probably wait until she is eight or nine; but if you want your child to be a concert violinist, you need to start her playing by the time she's three, if not sooner. The target age for piano is actually about six for most kids. If you want your child to be able to play well enough to have a lucrative future in the instrument, you need to get her started pretty soon.

Answer 5

After 40 years of teaching children and a degree in Music Education,unless you daughter is exceptionaly gifted and interested in music and the piano specifically,I would suggest that you take her to a variety of musical events and delay lessons until she is older;say 10,11,or12 years of age.

Answer 6

I would not suggest music store lessons. You should contact a qualified private teacher in your area.

Answer 7

uhhh.... how about a music store for lessons?


Wow, that was hard, my brain almost broke figuring that one out!