Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old?

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Sun, 14 Nov 2021 04:24:28 GMT

lowbethany888 — Sun, 14 Nov 2021 04:24:28 GMT

nope, its really not too late. in fact, i feel the older you are, the easier it is to learn. My dd is teaching a 7-year-old and 8-year-old and its a bit hard to teach intangible things like emotions, articulation and all that. Of course, as the child gets older, its harder to find time to practise. But if your child is really keen on it, with good time management, he/she will make time for piano!

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Fri, 18 Jan 2019 19:00:57 GMT

sweelysh — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 19:00:57 GMT

Oh, it's definitely NOT too late to start learning piano a 7yrs old.

That's basically when most famous pianists got started anyways

I think keeping time between practices as short as possible is a great thing to do when they're that young.

Personally I recommend the course http://1monthpiano.com. It did wonders for my eldest daughter!

Good luck you guys!

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Fri, 27 Sep 2013 07:08:18 GMT

sleepy — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 07:08:18 GMT

The issue is school workload is very heavy when child gets older. To progress in music at a reasonable pace, consistent practice is a must.

However, spare time is a luxury by upper primary. So for that reason, better start asap otherwise may end up on hold due to time constraint.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Fri, 27 Sep 2013 01:17:28 GMT

waiyean — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 01:17:28 GMT

phtthp:

Likewise, same thing apply in learning piano.
There are kids who start early, at nursery or k1.
But when reach primary school level, some lost interest, gave up.
Yet, there are others who persisted, slowly but surely, bit by bit, to grade 8.
Some may take a break, rest a while when Psle come.
But after that, they continue, back to the race again, till they pouch the finishing line, ie. eventually, reach grade 8.

Yes, some who start early may lose interest. However, there are lots who start late and eventually lose interest too. Comparison of people who start early and lose interest versus people who start late and persist is microscopic and does not mean anything much. They are different individuals. It is as good as comparing early starters who persist versus late starters who gives up after a while.... Meaningless.

It is not late to start learning. If a person wants to learn piano, then she should just go for it. However if a parent is thinking whether to start lessons for child now versus later, then it's better to start now.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Thu, 26 Sep 2013 17:59:20 GMT

Dreamaurora — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 17:59:20 GMT

taz:
The teacher did not explain that and we are layman to piano and music :oops:

Not many teachers will understand unless they themselves started late, so can't really fault them. The finger stiff is really a big myth perpetuated by teachers and layman alike; fortunately modern piano pedagogy has delved into the subject of tension in much more detail. Thus it is very much possible now to acquire very good technique even if starting late.

It is really advisable to start as early as possible to acquire technique and repertoire more easily. Really, the main issue when starting late will be juggling work/study/family commitment with piano practice.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Thu, 26 Sep 2013 17:23:10 GMT

taz — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 17:23:10 GMT

The teacher did not explain that and we are layman to piano and music :oops:

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Thu, 26 Sep 2013 16:02:29 GMT

Dreamaurora — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 16:02:29 GMT

taz:
My girl pick up piano at end P4, same time as her P1 bro. Just passed G1 piano this yr March.

Because of her age, the fingers are stiffer and need more practise.
There is never too late, only want to learn or no.

Fingers stiffer are not exactly the right words to describe. There is definitely a tendency to have more tension in the hands and arms when picking up piano at older age. I know because I started learning piano when I was 17. Only years later when I pursued music full time that I realised that this is the main culprit that significantly slows down my technical development.

It's not that more practice is needed. It's just that the way the technique is taught will be different as compared to children who start earlier. Most notably, there needs to be a much more conscious effort by the teacher to identify causes of tension and specific exercises will need to be assigned to solve these issues first.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:47:10 GMT

taz — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:47:10 GMT

phtthp:
It all boils down to whether you want to learn or not, & to practise piano diligently.

If you seriously want to learn a skill, nothing can stop you.
Those people who start early, what happen to them ?
Some lose interest in piano halfway, drop out.

Is just that if you start late, then you end late.
But still, you will reach the finishing line, one day.
Does it matter that you end late ? No.
Because at the end of the day, you can still play the piano.

:rahrah: :rahrah: :rahrah:

Yes, at least now my girl and boy can play piano for dh and me while we are eating dinner :).
No matter what they play, it is music to our ear.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:35:12 GMT

phtthp — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:35:12 GMT

It all boils down to whether you want to learn or not, & to practise piano diligently.

If you seriously want to learn a skill, nothing can stop you.
Those people who start early, what happen to them ?
Some lose interest in piano halfway, drop out.

Is just that if you start late, then you end late.
But still, you will reach the finishing line, one day.
Does it matter that you end late ? No.
Because at the end of the day, you can still play the piano.

Remember :-
It is not when you start that is important.
Rather, it is how you end the race (in this case, learning how to play piano fr grade 1 to grade 8), that is important.

Have you seen in a race, how people run?
When the pistol is fired into the air, everybody run fast.
Then what happen ?
Halfway through, some people too tired to run.
Some stop to take a rest, then continue running, after the rest.
Yet, there are others, who totally give up, dont run anymore.
Either lost interest in running the race, or lost will power.

Likewise, same thing apply in learning piano.
There are kids who start early, at nursery or k1.
But when reach primary school level, some lost interest, gave up.
Yet, there are others who persisted, slowly but surely, bit by bit, to grade 8.
Some may take a break, rest a while when Psle come.
But after that, they continue, back to the race again, till they pouch the finishing line, ie. eventually, reach grade 8.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:26:21 GMT

taz — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:26:21 GMT

My girl pick up piano at end P4, same time as her P1 bro. Just passed G1 piano this yr March.

Because of her age, the fingers are stiffer and need more practise.
There is never too late, only want to learn or no.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:08:09 GMT

fatbeary — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:08:09 GMT

Dreamaurora:
yernying:
I am a piano teacher.seven years old is slightly late but of cos still not v late.before u start to invest,u must think properly,cos it is long journey,u need a lot of money n energy to invest.answer,this is a good invest.

So what is your opinion on adult starter who pick up piano ahove 16 years old? Hopeless since it's super late?

It's never too late to learn anything. I have an adult student who's learning piano with me at the age of 71. There are many people who pick up new skills at a later age.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Fri, 14 Sep 2012 05:58:31 GMT

pirate — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 05:58:31 GMT

George Gershwin first displayed interest in music at the age of 10.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:32:40 GMT

Dreamaurora — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:32:40 GMT

Kagillus:
Hi, Jus to share. My boy started his gp piano at Yamaha at 5yr. Due to 'peer pressure' (i think) cos girls sing better, he refused to return to the class on 2nd lesson. Wasted my 300 bucks though I can get refund, too lazy to do so. I never want to pressurize him so let him go indv lesson as he still learnt fr his music book but refused to attend class. I couldnt teach. Yamaha only took in6 yr old kids. I enrolled him to a private moe registered music sch at clementi n he really enjoyed indv lessons with this teacher. Now with 1.5 yrs lessons, he performed recently solo at mini performance organized by music school. I think interest n teacher are v impt. Also u hv to assess if kids like to be in a gp. If all not in place, forcing them to pick up our interest is pointless. I want him to enjoy music. Not much focus on fingering etc cos tt will bore him. I am still hesitating if he should take exam next yr. I hv a colleague who took exams during her young days n hate music later due to exam stress. Thot will wait for teacher to advise.

Be careful not to ignore the fundamentals such as good fingering, good posture and technique, sight-reading etc. Quite a few teachers choose to compromise on these as they are afraid lessons would be boring and demoralizing, unfortunately this will have effects down the road when more difficult or higher grade pieces are attempted. Not being able to express and execute technical requirements of a piece properly can be very frustrating as well. This is why a significant amount of students stop at grade 4 or 5. Exam is good to take to provide a milestone; but be absolutely sure your son is well prepared in all the components so the experience is a very positive one.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:27:36 GMT

Dreamaurora — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:27:36 GMT

ccwj:
Kagillus:
Hi, Jus to share. My boy started his gp piano at Yamaha at 5yr. Due to 'peer pressure' (i think) cos girls sing better, he refused to return to the class on 2nd lesson. Wasted my 300 bucks though I can get refund, too lazy to do so. I never want to pressurize him so let him go indv lesson as he still learnt fr his music book but refused to attend class. I couldnt teach. Yamaha only took in6 yr old kids. I enrolled him to a private moe registered music sch at clementi n he really enjoyed indv lessons with this teacher. Now with 1.5 yrs lessons, he performed recently solo at mini performance organized by music school. I think interest n teacher are v impt. Also u hv to assess if kids like to be in a gp. If all not in place, forcing them to pick up our interest is pointless. I want him to enjoy music. Not much focus on fingering etc cos tt will bore him. I am still hesitating if he should take exam next yr. I hv a colleague who took exams during her young days n hate music later due to exam stress. Thot will wait for teacher to advise.

Its good to enjoy music. But I think you should also balance it with taking exams early. In sg, especially with psle, tuition, remedial classes etc... you wont have too much of a luxury. The later you take exams the more you find you dont have time to devote effort to it. I hated music because it was extra work when i was young but looking back now, i achieved a fair fit. Finished my grade 8. And its good to realise your son's discomfort with group classes. I think its important to feel comfortable when learning so he is not distracted and can focus. Kinda of like your way u handle your kid but I would still suggest taking exams asap at a comfortable pace maybe?

Exams are useful yardsticks, but there are other forms of assessments that can be stimulating as well and provide varieties in learning. Performances and goal pieces can be good milestones that push students as well. Every student is different and what makes a student tick may not work on other students. And if it's possible try to inject varieties in the learning e.g. duet, chamber works, improvisations, jazz, etc.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 08:57:53 GMT

ccwj — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 08:57:53 GMT

Kagillus:
Hi, Jus to share. My boy started his gp piano at Yamaha at 5yr. Due to 'peer pressure' (i think) cos girls sing better, he refused to return to the class on 2nd lesson. Wasted my 300 bucks though I can get refund, too lazy to do so. I never want to pressurize him so let him go indv lesson as he still learnt fr his music book but refused to attend class. I couldnt teach. Yamaha only took in6 yr old kids. I enrolled him to a private moe registered music sch at clementi n he really enjoyed indv lessons with this teacher. Now with 1.5 yrs lessons, he performed recently solo at mini performance organized by music school. I think interest n teacher are v impt. Also u hv to assess if kids like to be in a gp. If all not in place, forcing them to pick up our interest is pointless. I want him to enjoy music. Not much focus on fingering etc cos tt will bore him. I am still hesitating if he should take exam next yr. I hv a colleague who took exams during her young days n hate music later due to exam stress. Thot will wait for teacher to advise.

Its good to enjoy music. But I think you should also balance it with taking exams early. In sg, especially with psle, tuition, remedial classes etc... you wont have too much of a luxury. The later you take exams the more you find you dont have time to devote effort to it. I hated music because it was extra work when i was young but looking back now, i achieved a fair fit. Finished my grade 8. And its good to realise your son's discomfort with group classes. I think its important to feel comfortable when learning so he is not distracted and can focus. Kinda of like your way u handle your kid but I would still suggest taking exams asap at a comfortable pace maybe?

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 02:47:37 GMT

Kagillus — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 02:47:37 GMT

Hi, Jus to share. My boy started his gp piano at Yamaha at 5yr. Due to ‘peer pressure’ (i think) cos girls sing better, he refused to return to the class on 2nd lesson. Wasted my 300 bucks though I can get refund, too lazy to do so. I never want to pressurize him so let him go indv lesson as he still learnt fr his music book but refused to attend class. I couldnt teach. Yamaha only took in6 yr old kids. I enrolled him to a private moe registered music sch at clementi n he really enjoyed indv lessons with this teacher. Now with 1.5 yrs lessons, he performed recently solo at mini performance organized by music school. I think interest n teacher are v impt. Also u hv to assess if kids like to be in a gp. If all not in place, forcing them to pick up our interest is pointless. I want him to enjoy music. Not much focus on fingering etc cos tt will bore him. I am still hesitating if he should take exam next yr. I hv a colleague who took exams during her young days n hate music later due to exam stress. Thot will wait for teacher to advise.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Sun, 09 Sep 2012 06:13:01 GMT

ammonite — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 06:13:01 GMT

And the old old post has called me back here.

To be fair, the teacher was upfront about his lack of experience with very young kids and he was open to any suggestion. He introduced two simple songs to my little one after I suggested to him, and to both our surprise, the little one has learnt to read notes by then, albeit need a bit of time to decode. So I am happy with that two,three months of lessons I paid for. I have no idea how to teach him to read notes.

However the boy didn't want to continue with formal classes and told me to teach him instead. I am now teaching him myself with a couple of beginner books recommended by Yamaha staff.

phankao, can you pm me the detail of your son's piano teacher? Would like to outsource again at some point!

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Sun, 09 Sep 2012 05:00:06 GMT

phankao — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 05:00:06 GMT

vanyali:
[quote]LOL - I had to look through all the comments before I found that you'd lifted an old comment by \"ammonite\".

Yes, definitely more to do with the teacher. My littlest started before 3yo and although cute little finger exercises was part of the starting pieces, he also started straightaway with songs. He's now completed Suzuki Book 1 piano already after 1yr.

Sorry, yes, I guess that was an old comment for this thread. I hope my post still helps somebody and gives some perspective.

I am vary wary of Suzuki. While it's cute to stick a violin in a very young child's hands, what happens when it finally becomes time to teach them to read music and they have to start at the beginning again? Plus, learning to read music gives a structure to learning: teaches them how to think about and understand it. My oldest daughter did a little Suzuki volin when she was much younger, and the whole system just seemed kooky, and the teachers and parents reminded me of a cult. So we quit that.

We switched to sheet-music-based piano lessons, and I found that if I sat with my daughter at the piano every time she practiced, and sang the note names to her as she learned a piece, that she could learn to read music very quickly before she even learned to read words.[/quote]My now 4yo boy seems to be able to read notes. He's completed a book of basic theory already and is familiar with the musical terms. He could read words by 10months' old, so it would be \"reading musical scores after he could already read proficiently for a few years\".

Anyway, I've observed how my elder boy couldn't read notes when he started violin at 8yo, but could do so in a few months, so I don't worry about it. He had no problems with doing Theory Lessons when he finally took them up for exam purposes. Naturally they'd know how to read notes if that's what they are faced with on a daily basis.

This 4yo boy has 1-to-1 lessons with his violin & piano teachers (both Suzuki trained teachers), so I don't see the \"cult\" in it. Maybe that seems to be the case when there's a big group playing so \"obediently\" together? Not enough students of same age/level with his teacher for that to happen. I think in his group level, there's only some 5 children. For violin, that is. For Piano, it's individual insruction, no group - is that even possible for Piano Lesson?

I also read widely on Dr Suzuki's Philosophy and the Why's of each section of his way of teaching before I had my youngest start on any formal music lessons.

Aren't children of any age, learning with any method, having to think about and understand techniques required of any piece they are playing anyway? Also there are dynamics and rhythm that they need to be conscious of. Not like robots.

I've no experience with that music school you mentioned, but on this forum alone, I've not heard many favourable feedback. And yes, the style of the teachers and their approach is so very important. Esp for the very very young, they have to be more positive and turn situation into a positive learning opportunity (even if the child acts up during lesson). We have no experience with music learning at preschool age with any of our older children, but am glad to have found suitable ones for our youngest. I was very careful in this respect and wouldn't have bothered to start him with formal lessons otherwise.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Sun, 09 Sep 2012 03:46:55 GMT

metz — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 03:46:55 GMT

vanyali:
Some teachers just have no tolerance for children who came from other systems without these levels and exams.

This happened to my son when we were in France as well. He was already on Suzuki Bk2 back then. But the French violin teacher insisted on him starting from second base level of the French system. He was so bored that he didn't bother to practise the songs before attending her class. Whereas, his French piano teacher allowed him to continue from his level. 'Good teachers' is an important motivational tool to students.

PS: Though my kids were taught by a Suzuki violin teacher, they were expected to learn to listen and read notes at the same time.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Sun, 09 Sep 2012 02:20:44 GMT

vanyali — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 02:20:44 GMT

[quote]LOL - I had to look through all the comments before I found that you'd lifted an old comment by \"ammonite\".

Yes, definitely more to do with the teacher. My littlest started before 3yo and although cute little finger exercises was part of the starting pieces, he also started straightaway with songs. He's now completed Suzuki Book 1 piano already after 1yr.[/quote]Sorry, yes, I guess that was an old comment for this thread. I hope my post still helps somebody and gives some perspective.

I am vary wary of Suzuki. While it's cute to stick a violin in a very young child's hands, what happens when it finally becomes time to teach them to read music and they have to start at the beginning again? Plus, learning to read music gives a structure to learning: teaches them how to think about and understand it. My oldest daughter did a little Suzuki volin when she was much younger, and the whole system just seemed kooky, and the teachers and parents reminded me of a cult. So we quit that.

We switched to sheet-music-based piano lessons, and I found that if I sat with my daughter at the piano every time she practiced, and sang the note names to her as she learned a piece, that she could learn to read music very quickly before she even learned to read words.

When we came to Singapore, I tried setting my girls up with lessons at the local Cristophori music store, and was very disappointed. My daughter says that when they would come to a lesson on theory in the book (in the book series I recommended, songs and techinical exercises and intersperced with pen-and-paper theory lessons), the teacher would ask her the answers to the exercise, and if she got an answer wrong, he would just say \"See, you don't know this\" instead of telling her what the right answer was and explaining the teaching point. What the heck is the point of that? So I quit those lessons and now teach both girls myself.

I don't know whether we've just had a lot of bad luck so far with lessons and tutors here, but many times, the teachers I find are more interested in proving what my kids don't know rather than teaching them things. If the girls already knew everything, I wouldn't be hiring a teacher! Some teachers just have no tolerance for children who came from other systems without these levels and exams.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Sat, 08 Sep 2012 12:24:31 GMT

phankao — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 12:24:31 GMT

vanyali:
[quote]The 5 year old however has to do boring drills because the hand span is limited and finger strength is not there. My conclusion is unless the child is very talented, 7 is a better age to start.

I am very surprised to hear this. I think this has more to do with the teacher you are using rather than your child's age. There are good piano book series that my children started with at age 5, and instead of boring drills they teach through cute songs. [/quote]LOL - I had to look through all the comments before I found that you'd lifted an old comment by \"ammonite\".

Yes, definitely more to do with the teacher. My littlest started before 3yo and although cute little finger exercises was part of the starting pieces, he also started straightaway with songs. He's now completed Suzuki Book 1 piano already after 1yr.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Sat, 08 Sep 2012 11:48:32 GMT

vanyali — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 11:48:32 GMT

[quote]The 5 year old however has to do boring drills because the hand span is limited and finger strength is not there. My conclusion is unless the child is very talented, 7 is a better age to start. [/quote]
I am very surprised to hear this. I think this has more to do with the teacher you are using rather than your child's age. There are good piano book series that my children started with at age 5, and instead of boring drills they teach through cute songs. I particularly like the Thompson series (starting with \"Teaching Little Fingers To Play\") though some very good teachers I've known prefer to start with the Alfred series, and then switch to the more advanced Thompson books as the child progresses. Both series start out with cute, simple songs straight from the beginning. If your teacher is boring your child, maybe you could mention these book series to her and see her reaction. If that doesn't help, then maybe you should look for another teacher.

On the original question of whether 7 is too old to start, some of the best piano teachers I've known refuse to start kids younger than 7. I worked very hard to get my oldest daughter's piano teacher to start working with my youngest daughter at age 5, and she only agreed because we were already good customers. In the U.S., at least, it is expected to start at 7 or later.

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 13:51:15 GMT

waiyean — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 13:51:15 GMT

concern2:
phankao:

Just shows that NAFA has no confidence in their teachers' ability in handling 3 year olds, lah! Not all teachers can, wat. I have personally had a teacher whose bio states she is experienced in teaching children from 3yos for past 10+yrs. But she certainly did not show that in her interaction with my son.
Maybe it is different culture? :evil:

Sometimes, it's not just different culture. There are teachers who absolutely has no idea how to communicate with 3 years old. The language they use, the tone, their ability to explain concepts in a simple and interesting way...

Reply to Too late to start learning piano at 7yrs old? on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:39:16 GMT

concern2 — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:39:16 GMT

phankao:

Just shows that NAFA has no confidence in their teachers' ability in handling 3 year olds, lah! Not all teachers can, wat. I have personally had a teacher whose bio states she is experienced in teaching children from 3yos for past 10+yrs. But she certainly did not show that in her interaction with my son.

Maybe it is different culture? :evil: