Is Six Too Young For Piano Lessons?

Dear Mamas,

My daughter, age 6, has been bugging me for months to take piano lessons. I think it’s because her best friend takes them. The teacher she goes to seems nice and they have been happy with her but it’s not cheap and I don’t know if she is really old enough. Should we wait, tell her to forget it or start it up?

Thanks, Debbie

Dear Debbie,

Music lessons are a great gift to give your child and she is not too young to be able to take piano successfully. However, it is a big commitment of time and money on your part and it’s important that she understands what will be involved if you decide to let her do it. I like the fact that you didn’t rush over to the piano teacher’s house the minute your little darling said, “Mommy, I want…”. It’s good to allow some time to pass when a child expresses an interest in starting an activity in order to see whether it’s truly something she wants to learn or just a passing fancy.

One way you can help clarify whether it will be worth it to start is to talk to her about what will be required of her if you let her take the lessons. Start by asking the teacher how often and for what period of time she will need to practice. Then find out whether your daughter is willing to make that kind of commitment.

I would also recommend that you decide on a minimum number of months that she must stick to it once she begins. Deciding to quit after a few weeks when she gets bored or sick of practicing should not be an option and she should understand that going in. Explain that once she begins she must stay with it for at least six months, otherwise she really won’t learn anything and it would be a waste of your time and money.

If she is willing to do that — practice as much as the teacher requires and stick with it for six months (or a year) — then go for it if you can spare the time and money. It’s a skill that she will be able to enjoy her whole life but you will have to be the one who makes sure she gets there and then comes home and does the practicing so you have to be willing to make the commitment yourself.