piano lessons for 5 yr old

[Anonymous]

trying to figure out how to get my son excited about learning to play music. he loves hearing classical (he calls it "ballerina") music, but he does not particularly like to practice things, or things that seem like work. I think playing music should be enjoyable so i want to find a place or person who can teach him and keep his attention at the same time. Any thoughts schools/instructors in the DC area and also on the suzuki method would be appreciated as well, as we have begun looking at the Levine School.

[Anonymous]

the piano teachers that I"ve spoken to don't start til 7 years old

[Anonymous]

Start with general music classes. Most kids don't have the fine motor skills or interest in practicing for piano at age 5. Look at www.centerformusic.org in Bethesda for progressive music classes that move into keyboard classes around age 6-7. Lots of music theory, ear training, reading music, etc taught through a variety of ways (movement, drumming, listening, games). After that, kids move easily into piano or other instruments by 3rd or 4th grade.

[Anonymous]

The classical view is that you shouldn't start before 7. We ignored this and found a teacher. Started w/ Suzuki group lessons via Levine. Eventually moved on. One can have different views about Suzuki, but I'd guess theirs is one of the stronger ones, especially if Michiko Yurko is still involved.

[Anonymous]

My son (now is 5 and 1/2) tried music for Young children since last September. He absolutely loves the music class. It is a group lesson, the teacher teaches music theory through many fun activities. We practise using keyboard at class. Now we are more than half way through for the first year, my son is able to recognize many C-B notes on both treb clef and base clef, and play simply songs with both hands. The class (group of 4-5 children) meets once a week for 50 minutes. We have assigned homework each week, but they are fun activities targeted to child's age.
Check it out: http://www.myc.com. My teacher's website is http://www.musicplayhouse.net

[Anonymous]

Agree that music and movement classes are probably best at this stage. We had our 6-year-old meet with a professional piano teacher who emphasized that the child needed to WANT to practice, make connections between the notes and the keyboard, etc., in order for private lessons to be worthwhile. This teacher recommended classes at the Levine School, though others people have mentioned are probably good as well.

We realized that it would be pointless to enforce daily practicing with a child who would rather be dancing to the music, or running around outside, or doing imaginative play. We'll keep encouraging the love of music and think about private lessons again later.