Discover Why Kids Are Never Too Old To Learn To Play The Piano

Do not be lead astray by anyone who says that children must start piano by age 5 to play well. While beginning at this young age was the traditional time for generations ago, early childhood development studies have shown differently. In fact, kids are never too old to learn to play the piano, and neither are their parents or grandparents.

The big problem with placing age limits on learning is that the limits are not the same for everyone. In the past, classical piano training required students to start at 5 years old. If a student could not keep up with the traditional regimen of finger exercises or was unable to read the notes well, they might have been called less than talented. In the general public, it was often thought that only the gifted were destined to be musical.

Since the time around 1960, however, music teachers began to study early childhood development as it related to musical development. It has been discovered that most anyone has the ability to play piano, or be musical in some way. The reality is that children develop certain skills at certain times. Their physical development depends on many things, such as how well their nervous system is developed. Now it is known that it may be better to start formal private piano lessons beginning anywhere between the ages of 7 to 11. And, there are special music training programs that focus on younger children ages 2 to 6. When you add adult beginner programs to the mix, it becomes pretty clear that you can be very young and very old to learn piano skills.

The frustration that adults feel when they practice piano is that their intellectual abilities are in stark contrast to their physical ones. Adult fingers can feel very clumsy when starting out on the keys. Adults simply need to be patient with themselves when developing their piano technique. Lots of slow and steady practice is important, but most adults master their fingers well enough to enjoy playing favorite tunes.

For older grade students and adults, finding time to practice is one of the biggest challenges. School and work obligations frequently take up much of the weekly schedule, making it difficult to keep up with lesson assignments. But motivation to acquire piano technique and play piano pieces can help learners to work around schedule problems.

Once you have made the decision to become a pianist, you will want to devote enough time to yourself to be able to do it. Just as with any other exercise plan, you should schedule time for it, and not allow other appointments to undo your practice time. Retired adults often find extra time to practice piano much more easily than working adults. So this is a plus for a very late start.

Students who are struggling in other areas of their lives may find studying piano makes them unique. Often, they discover that other students are surprised at their abilities and are drawn to them. Friendships can develop around the piano that were not possible in other activities. Older adults find pleasure in playing songs from long ago with their companions.

When your teenager, or high school kid tells you they would like to try piano, let them. They are never too old to learn to play if they are interested. Do not discourage older adults either. They get the same joy from learning as anyone else. Once their decision to try has been announced, be supportive. Applaud any progress, and enjoy their success. Piano music brings happiness, and age should not be a barrier to it.

Merriam School Of Music 75-3175 Rutherford Rd, Vaughan, ON L4K 5Y6 (905) 829-4489 http://www.merriammusic.com/ Music school and piano store in the Greater Toronto Area. Offers piano lessons for children and adults. Also sells instruments, music and related products. Visit our Vaughan location!