Music lessons present a fantastic opportunity for children to learn new skills, develop confidence, express themselves, and most importantly, have fun! 

One of the most common questions I get from parents is whether their child is old enough to start taking music lessons.

The answer depends on a few factors, including what instrument they want to learn and the associated physical limitations (e.g. hand size), as well as what their goals/desired outcomes are.

It’s also important to note that no two people are the same. We all have unique learning styles, interests, and natural inclinations for different skills. So while these tips are great to consider, ultimately it will be a personal decision based on your child’s interests, learning capabilities and physical limitations.

Below are four signs that your child may be ready to start taking music lessons. 

1. They ask to take them!

Our first sign sounds like a gimme, but in my experience the #1 indicator that your child will stick with lessons, practice at home, strive to learn, and have fun is that they lead the way in asking to learn. 

We always want to give our kids as many different experiences as possible, and there are of course numerous benefits to learning music at a young age. But the best students, and the ones who get the most out of their lessons, are the ones who want to be there. 

If your kid expresses interest in learning to play music, it’s likely that they’ll be old enough to start lessons.

2. They are always listening to music and/or dancing

Most of us are exposed to music beginning from the earliest stages of life. Many childhoods are defined by the songs that entertain, educate, and inspire us. If your young one is constantly asking to hear their favourite tunes, chances are they might be interested in making music of their own.

The same goes for dancing. We are all born with rhythm, and it often manifests itself through dance in children. If your child loves moving and grooving along to their favourite tunes, consider asking them if they’re interested in music or dance lessons.

3. They are physically capable of holding and playing their desired instrument

One of the biggest barriers for children trying to learn music is the challenge of holding and playing larger instruments. Instruments like the electric bass, trombone, or drum kit can prove difficult for kids, but the good news is that for most instruments, there are high-quality child-sized versions. 

While I’m not up-to-date on the children’s tuba market, I have worked with parents to find smaller guitars for their kids to try out. These guitars are typically well-suited for children as young as six or seven years old.

Having the chance to get the instrument in their hands, take a guitar lesson or two, and play around with it is a huge step in ensuring that they both enjoy it and are physically ready.

Check out this article from Guitar World to read about some of the top guitar options for kids!

4. They take a trial lesson – and love it!

While all of these tips are great in theory, you’ll never really know if your child is ready to learn an instrument until they try.

That’s why I offer a no-commitment trial lesson to give kids the opportunity to start their learning journey. And who knows – it might just inspire a life-long love of music.

If you’re considering enrolling your child in guitar lessons, ukulele lessons, bass lessons, or general music lessons in Lindsay or elsewhere in the City of Kawartha Lakes, please feel free to reach out and we can work together to book a trial lesson and figure out the best learning path for them.