Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 12:29     Subject: Piano or violin lesson
Music is math. It’s also so good for the soul. Also everyone loves someone who can sit down at the piano and play a tune.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 12:22     Subject: Piano or violin lesson
Piano or guitar are social lubricants.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 12:19     Subject: Piano or violin lesson
My husband’s family has quite a few professional musicians going way back. He was in a youth orchestra that went to Europe every summer. He didn’t start that early.

My kids play guitar and love it for the fun not to make it a career. My son does a garage band as an activity.

As for sports I hope they are in sports that won’t end in middle school like basketball and other team sports.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 11:27     Subject: Piano or violin lesson
I learned to play the flute in elementary school and still enjoy playing as an adult. I encouraged my DCs to play an instrument when they were young, and I let them choose which one. They both wanted to play guitar, and both still play as adults (one actually makes a little money on the side doing it).

It's worth letting them try . . . they might enjoy it, and it's a life activity that can be very rewarding regardless of how seriously they choose to pursue it.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 11:12     Subject: Re:Piano or violin lesson
My kids have been doing piano because my wife plays. We also put them in violine (because I play) but they had no interest, so we stopped. I would have been sad, had the kids wanted to drop piano as well, but so far, they have been enjoying it.

I am not big on sports, but the kids asked and we tried many things until they settled on tennis/swimming. You can always try and see if your kids are interested in musical instruments and follow their lead. Our life would not be as full without music, but every family is different.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 10:32     Subject: Piano or violin lesson
So so weird.

We’re Asian. We started violin lessons because my daughter asked for them. My son wanted to sing so he did a youth choir.

Neither did sports.

Follow your kid’s lead!

Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 10:31     Subject: Piano or violin lesson
It's never to late to learn a little music.

Personally I do not want my child to be a top-level or professional musician. It's a hard life for those who don't truly love it and the job prospects are bleak. I do have them in violin lessons and make them practice but will not require it after elementary school. I hope they will have lifelong enjoyment of music and maybe the fun of being in a high school or college ensemble.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 10:29     Subject: Piano or violin lesson
I think that if you want your children to have a shot at a professional career in music, or even a first chair position in a youth orchestra or a win a concerto competition around here, then you need to not only start early, but start with the right teacher who can help them achieve this. But there are lots of successful people who never did music lessons and pursued other hobbies/extracurriculars instead. To the extent that you’re concerned about college admissions, remember that applying to an elite school is not a box-checking exercise. It’s about developing someone who is not only academically excellent, but also a very unique person who stands out to an adcomm.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 08:58     Subject: Piano or violin lesson
My kid (10) started orchestra at school. He picked cello. When we realized this was a 30 min/week group lesson, we asked if he would like private lessons. He said yes so we do that. I had such piano lessons growing up. Note, if your kid has music at school, they might know some basics of reading music.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 08:12     Subject: Piano or violin lesson
I don't think it is worth the money.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 20:48     Subject: Piano or violin lesson
Anonymous wrote:Many families I know from school pay for 1:1 piano or violin lessons since their kids were 5, especially if they are Chinese families. They hired a teacher to teach them how to read music sheets 1 on 1 and started from there. They probably need to spend a few thousands for each musical instrument per year. The parents do not know anything about musical instruments or have any musical background. I push my boy and my girl on sports, and sorry, I have not spent a penny on any music. Do I put my kids on disadvantages because I have not send them to learn any musical instruments? I wonder if I should follow them. I wonder if it is too late already. They cannot even read music sheets.


If you want to be true tiger then you must put them in piano too. Sport is not enough
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 20:20     Subject: Piano or violin lesson
They cannot read music. You don’t need the word sheets. But yeah, your kids are missing out on music.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 20:17     Subject: Piano or violin lesson
Many families I know from school pay for 1:1 piano or violin lessons since their kids were 5, especially if they are Chinese families. They hired a teacher to teach them how to read music sheets 1 on 1 and started from there. They probably need to spend a few thousands for each musical instrument per year. The parents do not know anything about musical instruments or have any musical background. I push my boy and my girl on sports, and sorry, I have not spent a penny on any music. Do I put my kids on disadvantages because I have not send them to learn any musical instruments? I wonder if I should follow them. I wonder if it is too late already. They cannot even read music sheets.