After many years of wanting DC to take an instrument (it was impossible to fit in at the time due to some health issues, etc.), DC started a brass instrument in a group lesson with some younger kids. DC quickly surpassed the younger kids because of previous exposure to music, good reading skills, etc., better able to practice and follow directions. DC moved out of that group and is now taking private lessons and moving quickly. While I wish I had had the kind of kid who could have taken an instrument earlier, that was not the case. However, it's working out now just fine. DC has the ability, motivation and interest going. Better late than never!

Not too late at all. My best friend started taking lessons when we were in 5th grade. He just finished his doctorate in musical performance and education. He has performed in some amazing shows, can play several instruments well, has been a music tutor on several instruments since we were in undergrad, and he has been a music TA in TX.

My daughter's piano teacher refused to take my son unless he was 7.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:8 and 7 are fine for piano and guitar, but a little old for violin, viola, and cello.

Absolutely. I mean, look at the careers of Pinchas Zukerman and Pablo Casals. Just awful.

Casals started playing violin at four. Zukerman started clarinet and other musical training at four. It's a manual dexterity issue. It's better to start earlier.

No, this doesn't make sense. It may be (in fact, probably is) a musical training issue. But it's not a manual dexterity issue. For this to be true,

1. there would have to be a clear relationship between fingering a clarinet and bowing and fingering a violin (which, as a former violin player, I'm quite doubtful of), and
2. the manual dexterity required to play a musical instrument could only be obtained by playing a musical instrument (in which case, please explain all of the professional non-string players).

Yes, it's better to start earlier. But 7 and 8 are just plain not too old to start violin, viola, and cello.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:8 and 7 are fine for piano and guitar, but a little old for violin, viola, and cello.

Absolutely. I mean, look at the careers of Pinchas Zukerman and Pablo Casals. Just awful.

Casals started playing violin at four. Zukerman started clarinet and other musical training at four. It's a manual dexterity issue. It's better to start earlier.

Check out the lower age limit for starting instruments at the DCYOP:

http://www.dcyop.org/program.jsp

The majority start at 8 or older.

I started the trumpet at 8, but was told that it was absolute minimum for physical reasons. My teacher was quite surprised that I could do it. But, I played in an orchestra with a guy who didn't start until he was 14 and he was incredible. Don't hold your kids back from trying something at any age, I say.

Anonymous wrote:8 and 7 are fine for piano and guitar, but a little old for violin, viola, and cello.

Absolutely. I mean, look at the careers of Pinchas Zukerman and Pablo Casals. Just awful.

My nephew picked up the trombone in middle school. Started lessons halfway through 8th grade. fastforward 3.5 years and he has a 6 week scholarship to Interlochen this summer and is looking at seriously competitive conservatories for college. I agree with PPs whose point is that music lessons are about enjoying music, but wanted to point out that if your kid has serious talent and passion, you are still not at all too late.

Anonymous wrote:2nd the recommendation for Suzuki for both piano and guitar (my kids have done both). Great way to learn an instrument and start playing songs fairly quickly.

Agree completely. Plus, since they are playing by ear and memorizing all the pieces, it seems to help music make more sense when they start reading notes.

Really. What's your goal? That your kids learn to appreciate, and enjoy producing music, right?

No age is too late, even for violin etc.

The odds of your children becoming pros are near zero, and I would bet that if your kids have some serious latent talent you have been ignoring, the late start can be overcome.

My kid is 13 with a bunch of years of piano under his belt and mediocre habits. He took off a year and is ready to start again. No, he won't be a pro, but he will have fun.