Did you know that kids like music? Yes, it’s true…but you knew that already didn’t you?:) Young children (even infants and toddlers) like to “move” to music, listen to music, smile when they hear the music, and “sing” to the music whether it’s on a home stereo, iPod, TV show, musical toy, or whatever. It’s just natural for most kids and it’s part of our makeup as human beings. Parents should want to have their children be more involved in music as they grow up and hopefully have an opportunity learn to play a musical instrument. These kids (pictured on the left) are examples of happy, excited students that I have had the pleasure of working with, teaching, and their parents ordered pianos through us as well.
Sometimes certain parents make it difficult for a child to get into music. As a parent, piano & guitar teacher, and musician, I’ve seen this all my life. Parents will say things like “my kids are too young,” or “their not ready,” or “they need to prove to me that they really want it,” or I don’t want to spend the money and take the chance that my kids might “fail” or not like it (lessons). Even a few piano teachers out there will say “they’re too young” or “I’ve been teaching them for awhile and their not interested in practicing,” or “they don’t seem to enjoy their lessons so maybe they should quit.” It is true that certain children don’t like the process of music lessons and practicing, that is understandable. However, that doesn’t diminish the fact that they probably still like music and a lot of it depends on the parents & having the right piano teacher. Fortunately for me, my parents encouraged me when I was young by getting me into both guitar & piano lessons.
Discouraging your child from taking music lessons (before they’ve actually started) is a bad idea. This is because children become afraid they might fail are maybe disappoint their parents. Them maybe their parents don’t want to spend the money (invest in) on an instrument with this kind of uncertainty. But that uncertainty usually comes from the parents and NOT necessarily from the kids, based on my long-time experience. If a parent realized how playing music (especially piano) is such a good thing for a child in so many ways, they would rarely hesitate and would try to support their children every step of the way.For years it has been known that playing music can have a dramatic effect on raising grades and test scores for children in school, improving general study habits, increasing personal confidence and well being, and allowing for higher quality social contact with noticeable positive changes in maturity and personal responsibility. In other words, playing music (especially on a keyboard instrument of some kind) makes for a better, more well rounded child.
The musical goal should not be to play at a “certain skill level in a certain amount of time” or to play exclusively a particular type of music such as classical, jazz, or rock. The goal of the parent and the teacher should always be “what can I do to make piano lessons the best possible musical experience for my child.” Some teachers have a very strict “agenda” when it comes to teaching lessons, and if the students don’t fit into that, the child is blamed many times when things don’t go well. From personal experience I do know that some kids just don’t want to take lessons of any kind no matter what. Many kids want that instant, easy way out because they’re used to the fast paced life of instant satisfaction with their cell phones, computers, electronic games, and all the rest. But those things don’t always make for a better child.
I have been part of non-profit music education programs in my area that run special “after-school” music education classes for “at-risk and lower income families” in schools and rec centers. These programs have high quality teaching staff who give instruction on a multitude of different instruments including voice and dance for over 3,000 children per week. They are programs funded by local, state, and national grants and other donations that continue to help improve the lives of many children through playing and/or performing music. It’s a noble endeavor and one that I am proud to be associated with. But I can tell you with authority that the lives of these kids have been impacted in tremendous positive ways because of their involvement in music lessons and in some cases the changes are next to miraculous! Without the stimulation & fun of the lesson program and playing music, many of these children lives would start deteriorating. 
As for individual piano lessons, here’s what you need to do for your children (if you’re not already); if you get any sense at all that any of your kids like music and enjoy listening, singing to, or moving to the sound of music, then get them in piano lessons ASAP. Starting at the age of 5 is NOT too early. In fact, there is piano lesson curriculum out there (some of which I use for my lessons) which is written with young children in mind starting at the age of 2-4 years old. Be sure that you choose a piano teacher NOT because they have the lowest lesson price (although price & affordability is important), but because they know how to motivate and relate to kids and want to do what it takes to move them forward in a positive way.I hate to say this, but there ARE bad and/or lazy piano teachers out there who will hurt your kids musical future and musical enjoyment rather than help them, so be careful of who you choose for a piano teacher. Just don’t let your child tell YOU he or she would rather NOT take lessons because they don’t want to practice. The fact is…they WILL have to practice at some point and that’s just the way it is, but practicing can be fun & enjoyable if done the right way. Also, a good digital piano can help and motivate both the children and the parents in wanting to practice and play more often.
As adults, we know you can’t do anything well or enjoy doing it unless you practice and work at it. Whether it’s your job, your cooking, your driving, sports, your relationships with your spouse, kids, or whoever, everything takes a bit of work and discipline. So don’t let that get in the way of your kids (or your) success in playing the piano. Remember, sometimes getting the “right type of piano” makes all the difference and that’s why I highly recommend that most families with beginner students get a good digital piano like a Casio AP-S200 ($1099 internet price), Korg LP-380U, or Kawai CN201, or other great models in various price ranges to speed up the learning curve while making music more fun, all for a lower price. I’ve reviewed many of these pianos in blog articles, so check them out when you can and you’ll learn why these impressive digital pianos and others like them are so good for music education and piano playing. They play and sound like an upright piano including direct connect to iPad, etc for use with exciting interactive piano learning apps for both children & adults.
Or if you want to “take the plunge” right away and purchase a nice acoustic or digital baby grand for yourself and/or your children, there’s certainly nothing wrong with that and in fact, they are exciting to own and play even if you are just a beginner:). If your kids have been playing piano for awhile and are starting to do very well, a digital or acoustic grand piano or more advanced console digital piano is a great way to develop more advanced piano playing skills. If you have questions then please contact us personally and we will help you.For more info on pianos, piano lessons, or how to purchase a new piano for LESS than internet prices, contact us at 602-571-1864 or email us at tim@azpianowholesale.com.
Nice! Teaching a child to play piano can be an enjoyable task, especially when the child goes on to develop their skills and become a professional performer!
I really appreciated this article. I had a BAD piano teacher who actually fell asleep during one of my in-home lessons. Also, I kept wanting to try new and more current music styles, but the teacher was straight classical, so between that conflict and the teacher's laziness/sleepiness, it was never going to happen.
Now, with 25 years of hindsight, I am looking for a new teacher. What questions do you recommend that I ask to make sure that me and my new teacher make a good fit? (–besides price and availability issues.) Any advice is appreciated.
I would be happy to give you personal advice on selecting a piano teacher if you email me, as that kind of thing is better done in that way.
Here are a few questions for you to ask a prospective piano teacher:
• What is your professional and educational experience in music?
• What is your teaching experience? What age groups do you teach?
• Is piano your primary instrument?
• Are you a full-time teacher, or is teaching simply a hobby or part-time job?
• How do you participate in ongoing professional teaching development?
• Are you affiliated with a local or national music teachers association?
• Do you have a written studio policy?
• Do you regularly evaluate student progress?
• What instructional materials do you use?
• What styles of music do you teach?
• Do you offer group lessons?
• Do you offer other performance opportunities for your students, such as festivals and competitions?
• Do you use technology in your studio, such as computers, music instruction software, digital keyboards?
• How much practice time do you require each day?
• What do you expect of your students?
And, as the blog above stated, do not choose a teacher based on price alone! Make sure they are qualified, and don't be afraid to ask for references or testimonials from current students.