Starting age for kids...

[scadgrad]

From reading this forum, it appears that there are quite a few players on here that have been on both sides of this issue. For myself, I didn't start playing until about 13-years of age and taught myself (long time guitarist, recently picked up mando and Irish tenor banjo). I was somewhat of an odd bird in my extended family because no one played an instrument of any sort (though they are all very good singers and really enjoy music, just poor Appalachian folks I guess). So now that I've got kids of my own, I realize that I would have advanced much quicker had I started younger and enjoyed the benefits of lessons. I don't want to be a pushy parent, and Momma seems to be of the opinion to let them do it in their own time. Both of the boys really like music of all sorts and say that they want to learn (guitar atm, but it's a start), but I'm wondering what age is good time to start? Clearly my youngest son (at age 3) is a few years away, but I'm thinking 6-years old might be OK to get introduced to stringed instruments.

Any thoughts or experiences on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

[Willieee]

I think your six year old is definitely ready, if he wants to. I have a 4 year old (almost 5), and he's had a uke for a couple years now. He doesn't fret any notes, but he bangs away. It was $20 and it's sturdy, but I can't get it to stay in tune, but it's been fine for him to bang around on and pretend he's playing with me and the folks I jam with. Here's a link to the Mahalo uke (no financial interest, I just googled it to find it on the web -- they come in all colors, one size fits all) http://www.ukuleleworld.com/product....&page=2 (http://www.ukuleleworld.com/product.php?productid=251&cat=2&page=2)

Anyway, more recently we discussed whether he wants to learn chords, and he said he did, so I took my Mid Missouri M-2 and got some very light gauge strings and put only 4 of 'em on there. Then I took some of that blue masking tape that's so great and cut out two small circles, two small triangles, and two small squares. I put the triangles on the E and A strings at the third and second frets, respectively, to show him the G chord. I put the circles on the two-note C chord and the squares on the two-note D chord. I told him "play the triangle chord" and he kinda tried. (I'd like to replace the all-blue tape with blue, red, and yellow so it's easier to see, but that hasn't happened yet. The other thought I had was to get a uke that stays in tune better just have him learn to form chords on that.)

So from there, we'll see. I don't push him to play, I just wanted him to have the option, and the 4-string mando seemed liked a good idea. I know that Mid Mo made a "kid-mo" 4 string for awhile, and I think Weber and some of the other builders have done similar things. Taylor makes a mini guitar, as you may know, and another option would be a tenor guitar with very light gauge strings, tuned as an octave mando. Although the uke is out and around the house for him to bang on whenever he wants (because it's sturdy and if he breaks it, hey, it's only $20 and I can glue it), the mando is only out when we get it out, just like my other instruments, so I can teach proper care of decent instruments. We know several families whose young kids play. 4 is the absolute earliest people seem to start with lessons, so I don't think you've lost any time at age 6. My son has also expressed interest in fiddle, so if he wants to pursue that we'll encourage it, and that would give me an excuse to buy one for myself. I have not given my son any formal lessons, and will not unless he asks, for now. All I do is demonstrate (at every opportunity) that playing music with other people is fun, and even playing by yourself is fun. He sings Grandfather's Clock and The Fox with me, and we also do The Mermaid Song. He likes Big Sciota when we call it Big Coyote and sing silly lyrics to it. He also really likes when I do Dylan's The Hour When The Ship Comes in at a nice fast bluegrass pace (great tune to jam on, I recommend playing it in G).

Hope this is helpful.

[Jonathan Peck]

It's never to early to start to cultivate an interest in music. I always had music on when my children were in their mother's tummy. With my daughter, she started with a basket full of shakers, tambourine, xylophone, harmonica etc... Basically anything she could make a sound with.

When she was three we brought her to a Suzuki school and they interviewed her and decided that she was ready. By age four she played with her Suzuki classmates at Carnegie Hall. By age five she started performing at our local church in both voice and violin. At age seven she was accepted into the Metropolitan Opera children's chorus, which is a paying gig, and started paying taxes. At age eight she was accepted into SAB, the school of American ballet. Performances like the Nutcracker are also a paid gig. She's also is on a competitive gymnastics team and would like to compete in the Olympics.

Needless to say, my kids aren't allowed to watch television or play video games. It's a huge commitment as I spend alot of my free time picking her up from practices, rehearsals, performances and competitions. Our schedule is limited by her schedule, but it's a sacrifice my wife and I are willing to make. The rewards are worth it though as I couldn't be more proud of my daughter's commitment and hard work.

Here's a picture of her hoisting the 1st place trophy at her last meet. She's the tiny one in the middle.

[Nolan]

My oldest two kids are in violin lessons. #We start them about 3 1/2 or 4 years old. #The violin is perfect for kids. #The strings are easy to push down and they have to concentrate on technique, not so much muscle strength (which they don't have in their fingers). #My oldest (7) begs me to play mandolin. #I always say "After you practice fiddle!". #It's my way of tricking him into playing mandolin... #anyway, he is able to play all his fiddle tunes on the mandolin because they are tuned the same. #He's doesn't really have the hand strength to press the strings down on the mandolin and get decent tone so based on that, I wouldn't want him taking lessons just yet on a fretted instrument. #I don't think there is too early of an age to start cultivating interest... shoot a lot of kids are exposed to tons of bluerass while still in the womb but my theory is once they start an instrument they should have to stick with it because MOST kids will come to hate practicing at some point and you'll be forced to be the one and work with them daily. #Left up to their own devices most kids will play an instrument for a few months and lose interest unless you keep pushing them and keep getting them around other kids that play. #One of the best things I've done is make sure I take my kids to a lot of live music. #Last month we saw Michael Cleveland for the first time. #My son started out the night telling me he didn't really like fiddle and by the end of Michael Clevelands set he was smilling ear to ear and was asking to practice fiddle when we got home.

[birdman98]

My (now) five year old had taken an interest in learning mando
last year. Of course I got so excited that I would put one in her lap every time she sat down.

Like Nolan said...she had a really hard time fretting notes with her little hands. So she got burned out pretty quick. Now she's not so hot on it.

So we're just letting it chill for a while. I'd think you definitely don't want to push past their interest level (like me!)...at least until they play enough to get hooked.


Then you can really crack the whip on em' !!

[Martin Jonas]

Like Nolan said...she had a really hard time fretting notes with her little hands. #So she got burned out pretty quick. #Now she's not so hot on it. #
To repeat what I said in the other kiddy mando thread going on at the moment:

Why not try a Risa Mando-stick: low-tension nylon strings, tuned like the mandolin (or alternatively like a uke if you prefer), essentially indestructible (it's a single piece of maple without any joints) and -- most importantly -- very quiet indeed when not plugged in. For practice purposes, it goes well with a small micro-amp or headphone amp, and with a proper amp can get properly loud without needing muscle strength.

My daughter is still a bit small for it -- she's two next month -- but she's started banging away on the piano and on her xylophone and comes over to try to pluck the strings whenever I pick the mandolin with her in the room. So, I guess I might let her have my Risa in a year or two.

Martin

[300win]

Never too young to begin learning, and never too old to continue to learn. And if a kid REALLY wants to learn and has the music in them, you will be able to tell pretty soon. When I begin learning to me it was like having a sickness. I thought about picking in every waking moment, could not keep my hands off the instrument. I've seen this in others over the years, and if a youngster has this kind of motivation they will learn REAl fast.

[Bertram Henze]

From my own experience as the child of two professional musicians and as a father:

An early start is best, but with conditions:

- no drill; motivation must come naturally; the instrument should be fondly remembered later as an integral part of a happy childhood

- no early locking with a specific instrument or genre; be prepared that the child finds or changes his own preference later

Let them learn what a real instrument is before they see Guitar Hero.

Bertram

[bgjunkie]

My daughter started fiddle lessons when she turned 5. My son doesn't take lessons, but he got a 5 piece drum kit when he turned 3. Almost two years later, my daughter still takes lessons, which she loves, but hates to practice. My son knocks around on his drum kit from time to time.

I have made sure that I have instruments that the kids can get their hands on without me hovering over them. They both know, "if it's in a case, don't touch it".

[Chunky But Funky]

I started my daughter playing a Weber Sweet pea very informally at about age 7. #(She is now 9) I took off one course of strings and tuned it down a step to lessen tension. #I tuned one of my mando's down a step also to play along with her. #When she asks, we play. #My wife and I try to encourage her to explore various aspects of music and let her find her niche. #I am encouraging her to attend an evolving "slow jam" every other week with some of the younger members of the Pittsburgh Mandolin Orchestra. #I think she is pretty much terrified.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

Doug

[jk245]

In Scotland there is a group which promotes the playing of the mandolin to very young children. Take a look at their on-line newsletters

Scotland (http://www.mandolinscotland.org/youth/yoymi.html)

[bshpmark]

I was introduced to the trumpet at around 5 or 6 years of age and ended up playing it for many, many years. I don't think kids are ever too young to start once they can hold the instrument and can comprehend a little about what is going on.

[Jim]

I had both a mandolin and a balaliaka(sp) available to me as well aa a pump organ and a piano at a very young age (as early as I remember) . Picked up Guitar on my own at about 11. I made many instruments available to my kids early ( drums, recorders. xylophones, guitars and basses) My son picked up Bass when he was 10 and guitar a year later.He still plays in bands and on his own at 26. My older daughter picked up flute in 5th grade and played until a "friend " talked her out of it in late High school. and my other daughter has shown some interest but not persued music. I say make it available but don't push it.

[Ivan Kelsall]

The son of Jazz Guitar legend,Django Reinhardt,Babik Reinhardt,has said that 6 years old is a good age to actually begin playing.Personally,i think that if a child of any age
shows a clear interest in playing an instrument,while it may not be possible for very young children to even hold,let alone play,that instrument,the parents should encourage the child. Watching & listening help hugely in playing a musical instrument & as we've come to understand,even very young children soak information up like blotting paper.
I think it's great to see youngsters come along & to be able to watch them as they
become adept at playing their chosen instrument,whatever it is,
Saska