Help!! My DS just started Piano lessons!

[Mishetta]

Will I be able to endure the practice? He seems to be very excited about it right now but who knows how long the excitment will last?

It's a beginner class & he's about the only one who has never played the piano. All the other kids in his class have "tinkered" around on one before....so I hope this won't discourage him.

Do you have any words of advice or encouragement to offer???

 

[MerryPoppins]

Grit your teeth while he practices. If necessary buy some cheap ear plugs. It gets better before too long and they usually start to balk at practicing so enjoy this stage while it lasts.

 

[KathyTX]

Digital pianos are equipped with headphone jacks...

 

[Poohnatic]

Guess I'm weird, I enjoyed sitting with my son while he practiced.

Alas, due to his medical difficulties, we had to stop the lessons after a year and a half. He's starting to show interest in restarting. Younger son will start in September, so I think I'll be sitting with two practicing kids!

Suzanne

 

[disykat]

I grew up with a piano teacher - bad piano playing makes me feel right at home! Just wait until he starts band. For some reason my son doesn't want to practice in his room - he wants to follow me around the house with his trumpet! At least the piano stays put.

 

[Mishetta]

Well, we have one of those portable yamaha keyboard sets.....he just set up stakes in the kitchen (right next to the room I'm in!!)

Actually, I'm enjoying hearing him practice. I believe I can add headphones to this keyboard set for only his ears to hear the sounds. Heck, I'd like to learn myself!!

 

[Rutt and Tuke]

Just be glad he isn't starting violin-- piano doesn't sound as bad at the beginning.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Young kids practicing is actually pretty neat I think. I like it.

 

[Mishetta]

Okay, not to brag but he's already playing "Mary had a little lamb" & I can tell what song he's playing!! WOO HOO!!

I agree about the piano being easier to listen too over the violin (or Viola in my case!) When I was in my teens, I lived with my aunt/cousin for a short time & my cousin was taking viola lessons & I still cringe when I hear the viola being played anywhere!

 

[GlennandAnn]

How old is your DS? I'm wondering what the proper age to start a child with piano lessons is. Anyone know?

Ann

 

[KathyTX]

The early grade school years seem to be the rule around here.

My piano teacher has one 4 year old student who is really quite good! But I think that's very unusual.

In general, being able to read is necessary. Or at least very helpful.

 

[Pop Daddy]

he needs to learn how to play the drums

 

[grinningghost]

My DD started piano at age 7. She's almost 15 and still playing. She practices in spurts. She'll practice ALOT for a week or so, then she doesn't practice at all. It's like she has to be in the mood.

If he gets in the mood to practice, let him go - it may not last long.

It will be nice if he sticks with it though. It's amazing how good they learn to play and it's much nicer to listen to than some of the CD's she likes to blare.

 

[Mishetta]

GlennandAnn ~ my son is 8 y/o. He's very interested in music. We have a "celebrity" musician friend & we get to attend concerts when he's in town & my DS is so in "awe" of the whole "being on stage" scene. I don't know if there is a "proper age" to start music lessons. As far as I'm concerned, as soon as they show interest! Jazz guitarist Peter White says that his Dad put a guitar in his hand at 3 y/o & was constantly encouraging him to play. I did ask him if he thought my DS was too young to start piano lessons & he said "you're never too young."

Pop Daddy ~ I would not have encouraged my DS to take up the drums, although I'm sure he'd probably prefer that over the piano!! He can learn how to play the drums when he gets his own place!!

 

[Serena]

LOL, you can send him to Pop Daddy's house to practice the drums since it's his idea.

I much prefer the piano to other things, like a sax. My oldest did that for a while. And do other kids have to learn the recorder one year in school?

 

[Mishetta]

Serena ~ I don't know what you mean by "do kids have to learn the recorder one year in school?" Also, my DS is not taking his piano lessons thru school, its thru a music store. My son attends a small private school & they (unfortunately) do not offer musical instruments...they just have a "music appreciation" type class.

Oh & I loved your idea about sending my DS to Pop Daddy's house to practice the drums!!! Will do!!

 

[Poohnatic]

My mom gifted us with my son's lessons (guilt over not getting mine until my late teens). Because my son was always noodling with the piano at 3, when he was 4 she said she was getting the lessons.

I spent several months trying to find something a step above the Kindermusic program. As soon as I told most teachers his age, they said no way. The piano teacher we did find said the only reason she took him at 4 (a month shy of 5) was because I had studied piano and both my husband and I are musically aware. She would not take a child under 7 unless they had parents that could read music.

This probably is common, and may because the teacher wants the child to be able to read the lessons.

Suzanne

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

Just want to wish you good luck on your road to musicianship!

 

[Serena]

Originally posted by Mishetta
Serena ~ I don't know what you mean by "do kids have to learn the recorder one year in school?" Also, my DS is not taking his piano lessons thru school, its thru a music store. My son attends a small private school & they (unfortunately) do not offer musical instruments...they just have a "music appreciation" type class.

Oh & I loved your idea about sending my DS to Pop Daddy's house to practice the drums!!! Will do!!

In our school system, in 5th grade all the kids have to learn how to play a flute like instrument. They call it a recorder. It's very hard on the ears.

I hope PD has earplugs.

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by Dan Murphy
Young kids practicing is actually pretty neat I think. I like it.

I agree, Dan! DS16 plays drums and DSalmost13 plays trumpet AND piano, and nothing sounds better to me than hearing them play