What’s the best age to start learning a musical instrument? Am I too old to start? Is my child too young for lessons? Should my child have started younger? We find ourselves answering these questions very frequently and for good reason. The answers are not always intuitive.
We’ve all heard that children acquire language and aural skills more quickly than adults. Indeed, young children, as their neurology and physiology rapidly develop, seem particularly suited to learn the sequential memorization and fine motor skills required to play an instrument. So, is younger categorically better? The answer is a definite NO. As a private instrumental teacher one of the things I love about my job and marvel at daily is that no two people learn exactly the same way — and that goes for children and adults of all ages! In fact, the field of neuroscience continually uncovers more details of how our brain’s chemistry determines so much of how we learn and what we remember.
And here’s the cool part, our psychology and state of mind impact this chemistry profoundly which highlights the variable educators should reflect on daily: Are each of my students ready and eager to learn what I’m preparing to teach? In this context, I’ve often found middle school and high school beginners making such rapid progress that they entirely close the gap with their peers who started half a decade earlier because the older child wanted it — and wanted it intensely. For another example, most adult lessons cover a depth of material that most children just don’t care to understand …and with this knowledge the adults can potentially pursue it at a much higher level in less time. In truth, we find a trade-off can occur. Youth’s advantages of sequential memorization and deferred imitation trade out for a mature student’s superior mental imaging, conceptual understanding and conscious proprioception.
So, what is the best age to start an instrument? Here’s the answer I’ve witnessed time and time again: The “best age” is the age when, after exposure and introduction, an individual likes the idea of playing. If a toddler really loves the idea, go for it! Many of these young students have gone on to greatness. But in any case, you’ll want the sense that the student desires to play music for herself/himself. This is the single most important factor! I encourage individuals and families to talk to a private music teacher and perhaps give lessons a try for a few lessons at any age, from 4 to 84. A good teacher will adapt her/his teaching style to build on each individual’s strengths and let the families know if she/he feels it’s best to wait a few more months or a year. A good teacher can also recommend listening resources and fun at-home activities to build confidence and increase exposure for students of any age. Even though challenges will inevitably pop up, the momentum of musical education should be inspiring and validating — a chance for each student to discover the beauty of making music with creativity and imagination!