Do You Accept 3-5 Year Old Students?

My standard answer is no.  I believe that most children less than six years old are too young to begin formal private lessons.  This type of very early music education is typically called the Suzuki Method.  This method begins the child in the basics of the chosen instrument (usually piano and violin) and instructs them to play by ear.  Although printed sheet music is used and the children do learn rudimentary music reading skills, they 'play by ear'.  In my opinion this does more harm than good in the long run. Typically at ages six to eight Suzuki method students must begin to learn to read music fluently, and in order to do this they regress in the level of repertoire.  The students then see themselves playing easier music and become frustrated at their lack of progress.  There is also a great deal of frustration involved with the reading process since they have learned to play by finger patterns and fingering numbers instead of reading music from day one.  In my opinion it is best to enroll a young child in an early music group class. Many fine classes are offered through day care centers and early childhood development programs throughout the country.  These programs center on teaching in a group setting instead of one on one and educate the children on the fundamentals of music: rhythm, tempo, and rudimentary music reading skills.  After one or two years of early group instruction and when the child has completed at least one full semester of first grade are they properly ready for formal private lessons.  It is our experience that children who begin lessons at the three to five year old stage are more likely to quit than children who wait until they are six.  This isn't to say that the Suzuki method isn't good. It certainly has its success stories, but I believe that the majority of students who begin at that young of an age tend to have a difficult time in their music education. Here are a few myths and realties for you:

Myth #1 If a student begins at age three they will have a three year head start based compared to a student who begins at six.
Reality #1 All children learn at different rates.  I have seen children of equal age begin lessons at the same time and excel at significantly different rates.
Myth #2 My child can develop their talent to a greater level if they begin lessons at age three.
Reality#2 Natural talent does not diminish with age. I have had students who did not begin lessons until their early 20's and still progressed at the same amazing speed as if they had begun when they were a child.
Myth #3 All great musicians began lessons at very young ages.
Reality #3 Most professional musicians begin lessons in public school at about fourth grade or with a local music teacher in second grade.

I hope this has been helpful to you; please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.  If you do enroll your child in an early childhood development program keep these few points in mind:

  1. Look for programs that emphasize learning to count rhythm by singing and tapping.
  2. Look for programs that employ teachers that possess formal music education experience or specialize in early education.
  3. Look for programs that encourage both parents to participate in the classes.
  4. Look for programs that have two to five 4 - 12 week sessions that group students by age and experience.
  5. Avoid early music programs that emphasize one instrument over another or focus on 'group' piano sessions.
  6. Avoid programs that  support teaching the children to read music by numbers or shapes.
  7. Avoid programs that have class sizes of more than 12 students per class.
  8. Avoid any programs that emphasize only one instruction method and nothing else: David Cole, Suzuki, or  Jane Tan. 



  



Still interested in
Suzuki after reading
 this page?  Then
I suggest
contacting the
Peabody Preparatory