I agree with what is being said above. Teachers often wait to start students until at least age five, though it's really on a case by case basis. If I were to recommend someone I can say I trust Natalie Gibson-Grimes to interview the students on an individual basis and know what's best. - Lauren

We used the method for pre-readers at individual classes. It was effective, but he did not want to continue. It is better to wait until they are 6.

Private piano lessons might be too much for a toddler. Our daughter started with group piano lessons at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gaithersburg when she was 4 and spent a couple of years there. The group lessons worked well because it wasn't the full 30-45 minutes at the piano, but rather it also included learning how musical notes sound, sight reading, writing notes, in addition to working at the keyboard. The classes are usually small (about 6 -9 kids) which helps ensure that the children get some one on one attention. The format also makes it fun for the kids. She eventually transitioned to private lessons and we plan to have her younger sibling start with group classes soon as well. There are a number of other places that offer similar group lessons -- Jordan Kitts, Levine School, and there are some through the Montgomery County Rec. Dept.

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Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any recommendations for a private in-home piano teacher they have used? We live in Potomac Falls, VA and are looking for someone for our toddler. There's many options for folks online but I would love to hear if anyone has any recommendations!

Thansk!

Hopefully, you found someone to come to your home in Potomac Falls, VA. Some of the comments you received were negative. However, you might look into the Yamaha Piano Method, Music for Young Children, Kindermusik, Musicgarten and Suzuki. I know that Suzuki trains piano and flute students as young as three. Truthfully, it depends upon the child. There are method books that are geared towards the younger beginner.

I am a piano teacher with a Master's degree from George Mason University in Piano Pedagogy and Performance. I did a special project on teaching the younger beginner because there are many parents like yourself who want their child to engage in piano lessons. A younger beginner needs to have activities at the piano and away from the piano. You can't teach them the way you teach an older child. Hope this helps!

Shandra Love www.lovesmusiclessons.com

Why on earth would you put a toddler in piano lessons?

All the professionals I've talked to say toddlers hands are too small for piano. If interested in music lessons that young, need to go with violin.

My 3 year old is taking it and it's great.

A good teacher will properly engage a little one for 30 minutes by incorporating game-like activities at and away from the keyboard. The child need not sit at the keyboard playing the piano for 30 minutes.

I'm a piano teacher and I agree that a toddler is too young for piano. It's so hard for them to focus that amount of time in a lesson and then put in the practice. A Kindermusic-type program would probably be more beneficial and they would be able to sing, play, etc.

Please look back into lessons at 5 or 6 years old.

B&B Music has great teachers, but toddler age DOES seem early--I they recommend starting between 5 and 7 depending on your child's maturity/focus for 30 minutes. Our child started right at 5 but in retrospect, I think it might have been too young to expect 30 mins of lesson concentration and then 10-15 mins of practice several days a week. At almost 7, it's much more reasonable.

For a toddler have you thought about music together classes?

You expect a toddler to sit and pay attention to a teacher at the piano for at least 30 minutes? If a toddler is precocious enough to learn piano, he/she is probably a little ADD as well.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a private in-home piano teacher they have used? We live in Potomac Falls, VA and are looking for someone for our toddler. There's many options for folks online but I would love to hear if anyone has any recommendations!

Thansk!