Before your child goes for piano lessons, there are a few things they should know first, and a few things you should do, too! Here are 7 things you should do or know before your child takes piano lessons.
1. Purchase a piano
This may seem silly, but if you want your child to learn piano, you will need to buy a piano. A keyboard will do, too, but a real acoustic piano entices the child to practice and adds to the decor of your home.
2. Put the piano in the home before the child learns to play
A piano is an investment that will “pay dividends” musically down the road. Upfront time and energy need to go into learning the instrument before substantial development occurs. The piano in the home will be considered a part of “everyday life” to the child. Having a piano in the home communities to the child that it’s not just a decor piece, but an instrument that needs to be played and mastered.
3. Keep the piano in a public room, and away from electronics
The piano needs to be seen by the child in order for them to be reminded to practice. It should also be put in a place that’s out of the way from electronics. Here’s why:
- The child will be distracted by the TV or computer and not want to play.
- Other household members may need to use electronics in a quiet setting when the child is practicing.
4. Encourage your child to "play around" on the piano before lessons
Allow your child to get used to the piano before attempting lessons. This will get them used to the feeling of the keys, pedals, sounds, duration, harmony, and clashing of notes. They’ll better be prepared for music theory before they start lessons.
5. Talk over what your child "discovers" on the piano
When your child “discovers” something new on the piano — the duration of notes, the clashing of notes, or the loudness of a note being played — talk it over with them. This will encourage a sense of curiosity and a desire to further learn more about music.
6. Ensure your child knows the alphabet
Notes are named with letters, so it’s important that your child knows the difference between letters as (1) being sounds that string together to make words for speaking, and (2) as notes with a designated tone in octaves.
7. Ensure your child knows how to count (to at least 4)
Similar to letters being important to music, timing is important, too. It’s important that your child know how to count to at least 4 since music is a beat — “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and” — and so on.
RELATED: How to teach the 7 basics of music theory to young kids
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