2006-12-05 00:23:40 · 8 answers · asked by Adrian L 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
The best way is to buy them music related toys like a keyboard etc and see if their interest develops from there. If not, wait until they are old enough to decide for themselves which instrument interests them and encourage (don't push) them to give it a try. If they don't enjoy it, try to encourage them to try something else.
2006-12-05 00:28:42 · answer #1 · answered by Coco 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Suzuki method for violin starts kids at age 3. I don't know when other lessons start. I believe I started piano at 6 or 7 years old.
Sing to your kids. Get them some inexpensive toy instruments to experiment with. Maracas are great, as is an inexpensive electronic keyboard.
The best way to encourage a child to play a musical instrument is to make music an important part of your household. Play a variety of music in your home, watch programs regarding music on TV. If you play an instrument yourself, that will be the best motivator. Suzuki's original concept was to teach the mother one song on the violin (twinkle twinkle little star) and have her play it at home. I do not know if the modern Suzuki teachers still do this. I plan to find out next year when my kids are about to turn 3!
2006-12-05 08:30:29 · answer #2 · answered by Stimpy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A toddler can have great fun with a xylophone or cheap battery powered keyboard. Once they have the idea of making individual notes you can teach them to pick out simple tunes such as "Row, row, row your boat" or "Three blind mice"
Formal lessons are not going to be of much use until the child is at least 5 and you need to pick the teacher very carefully. Many people enjoy being able to play a few tunes on their chosen instrument but don't want to spend hours practising scales or chord changes. Even very talented musicians don't necessarily want to make music their life. And yet there are music teachers out there who simply cannot comprehend this and can very quickly put a child off playing by insisting on half-an-hours practice everyday (When the sun is shining and your child and his mates want to play footie?) or by assuming that the ultimate goal is to perform in public or take exams. It's not. The ultimate goal is to make music!!!
2006-12-05 08:50:06 · answer #3 · answered by Quorlia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know several people who have started their kids at five to start learning the piano.. and another started their kid at the age of 7 to start the violin.. I would recommend the age 5 or 6 actually to start learning
2006-12-05 08:26:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know how to encourage them, but I would do it quite early - though not at a very young age as they might get bored and not practise, and therefore not be able to enjoy the instrument.
"Don't learn the recorder, that's bollocks" says my friend. "Learn the guitar - they'll live to love it" says my other friend.
2006-12-05 08:26:54 · answer #5 · answered by hello772345 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whatever you do let the child choose the instrument! My parents let me choose, I was going to learn piano until my parents wrote the letter to the school and I suddenly decided I wanted to play the flute! After playing the flute for several years I took up piano too and discovered I didn't really enjoy it but I do enjoy playing the flute and now my piccolo too!
2006-12-05 08:29:40 · answer #6 · answered by ehc11 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i would recommend starting early, maybe 6-8 yrs old. learning an instrument is an excellent experience for a child, however don't push them if they really don't want to.
2006-12-05 08:27:57 · answer #7 · answered by Tina 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the instrument.
piano and violin for instance I reckon you can start about 4 if they are keen.
Cello, tuba, trombone, Sousaphone probably wait til they are bigger and more muscly.
2006-12-05 08:34:13 · answer #8 · answered by Ice Queen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋