Teaching Piano to a 3 Year old...any ideas?

Question

For Christmas we got our 3 year old a piano. He's really been showing interest in it at other places which is why we bought it. Problem is I don't play. Any websites that can give me some really basic things to get him started. Thank you.

yes I will get piano lessons soon but he's eager to start and we are moving soon so I want to wait until we move to start any lessons. In the meantime I just wanted to be able to show him a couple basic things to get him started.

Please don't get me wrong I'm not some nut that thinks I've got Motzart on my hands. My son has shown an interest and is the one that wants to play. I'm not in any rush I just want him to have fun and if I can get him started by teaching him little things along the way then I would like to do that. I have looked into appropriate ages for kids learning piano and there are some programs out there that are meant for this age group that are very basic and just meant for the kids to "begin" to learn about music and most importantly have fun. Thank you for the people that answered my question I appreciate the websites.

Answer 1

in http://www.reviewsnest.com/PianoLessons they review a few learn at home programs. one is designed for kids, teaching them as a fun computer game that they play with and learn. also pretty inexpensive (i think $20, but not sure - saw this a few weeks ago)

Happy new year - and good luck!

Answer 2

I am a piano teacher that teaches a traditional classical method. I strongly advise against traditional methods of teaching for a three year old. In fact, I would warn you against any teacher who claims to teach 3 year olds traditional methods. There is the Suzuki method, but the pitfall of this method is that is requires very strong discipline on the part of both parent and student. It teaches children to play and memorize before learning to read music. Some students become quite advanced, and when then forced to start reading music, they reject traditional method. I would enroll my child in a Kindermusik class or try local music stores that may offer an introductory group keyboard class. My three year old loves the piano also, but I won't start real lessons with him until he is at least five, and even then that depends alot on finger dexterity. I'm not trying to squelch your desire to foster a love of music in your child... I think that's great, just remember, learning to the play the piano at even a very basic level can take many years. I would get those lessons for yourself first, then let your child take lessons in a few years. Work with him on clapping to rhythms, and learning basic musical terms. I think the Baby Einsteins on Disney introduces age- appropriate musical concepts. Good luck!!!!

Answer 3

There is a popular kids' book you can buy at the store that has a small plastic piano keyboard attached with numbered keys.

The pages (in heavy cardboard, safe for 3 year olds) also have illustrated children's songs with the notes marked with colors and numbers that match the keys.

So I would use something like that to teach the notes that go with the keys. I have even taped numbers or letters to the keys so kids can follow along.

Answer 4

No, he's certainly not too young. My three - year - old has been playing drums (yes, REALLY playing a real drum set) for over a year, and started playing guitar a few months ago. Hubby has played both, along with singing and playing piano, for over 20 years. When our son showed an interest, we got him his own child - sized real (NOT toy) instruments. In our case, we let him make the decision. When he wanted to learn something, Dad would show him. He also learned quite a bit just by listening and imitating. I would suggest contacting a Suzuki music teacher in your area. They usually work with children as young as three. Remember, it needs to be fun or he won't get anything out of it. Forcing or pressuring him to play will have an adverse effect on him. Good luck!

Answer 5

In the Music Centre I work in, most parents learn piano themselves before putting their children in. They think that they should equip themselves with some basic knowledge, humanly interaction is easier to absorb and they wanna know how the teacher teach.

Actually 3 years old... er... is difficult to determine whether they really like the piano or not. Most children I meet, [whose parents claimed that their children liked piano], actually only liked to listen to music and hear their parents or the TV sing!!! So step by step, my suggestion is that:

1. Everytime the TV has a music part (e.g. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, Hi-5, Barney, etc.), beat the pulse with him... just clap - clap - clap - following the beat, or put him on your lap and slightly swing left - right - left - right, anything to do with following the beats. (Rhythm Training)

2. Everytime you read a book to him, use high and low voices. e.g. old man, big bear, dinosaurs - low voice; e.g. little mouse, rooster, cats, birds - high voice. (Pitch Training)

3. Everytime you play with him at the piano, make him count the black keys, play from one end to the other end... "123 - 12 - 123 - 12 - 123 - 12 - 123" (Recognising piano keys structure)

4. Combine all three elements above... play 2-black-keys, at the high pitch of piano, with short-short-longgggggggg beats (repeat 10x)... play 2-black-keys, the lowest pitch of piano, with longgggg-longgggg beats (do this tomorrow or later also 10x)... repeat these steps with your own different combinations! If there are mistakes, neeever mind! Laugh it off and correct it! Have fun!!!!

Your child will have all the fun at the piano, wanting more and feeling your loving anticipation too!!!

About me: 4+ yrs teaching experience, about 60 students a week, and also have a baby boy 1.5 yrs old, hehe~!!

Answer 6

There are some great materials out there for young beginners. You may like to pick up a couple of books at your local music store. Here are a few for his age:
Alfred Prep Course for the Young Beginner
Alfred Music for Little Mozarts Series.
You can learn more about both series here: http://www.alfred.com/frameset.cfm?sub=piano

Now, to get him started right away, you may like to introduce him to the following:
High and Low Sounds
Black Keys in groups of 2's and 3's
Loud and Soft Sounds

Good luck!

Answer 7

I am a dance teacher and I teach dance from three year olds and on. I would go to a music store and find a music book filled with childrens songs and finger plays. Something that both you and your child will understand and follow with confidence. I know that they might also have a page with the name of each key at the music store also. I know that you mentioned websites. I would search on the computer to see if there is anything helpful on there also. I hope that I helped you out. Happy Holidays.

Answer 8

If you want a kid under 6 to learn an instrument, try the Suzuki method. I don't know if you'd want to teach that on your own - most Suzuki teachers have special training to teach little kids how to learn to play. It's a good system- they will be playing fun, recognizable music quickly, unlike those other method books that go on for 5 books with two-line exercises and are SO boring.

Answer 9

www.gopiano.com

has free online lessons, with audio.

But really, at age three, he probably should just explore a little bit with rhythm and appropriate pressure on the keys. We bought a piano, and it seems that none of the kids were ready for lessons until age five or so. It would be awful for him to have this great love burned out of him by formal lessons.

Answer 10

Alfred's piano books are my favorite! The beginner level books are designed with young children in mine and use pictures along with notes. They are reasonably priced. A good activity (that is found in one book) simply has the student deciding which notes are lower/higher than middle c. I don't know of any good websites. It is hard for me to even find sheet music on the web for experienced players.