What age did you (or perhaps your younger students) start taking lessons?
Assuming a youngster has musical interests and can remain focused, what might be a good age to start lessons? What age might be too young? I’m thinking 5?
I can’t speak for accordion lessons, but for music lessons in general: I don’t think any time is too early, but I think three things are critical - the child, the right teacher, and encouraging parents. Perhaps the most important thing is whether the child considers music as fun! That will drive interest and focus.
Our parents started all of us (7 kids) with piano lessons fairly early, maybe 7 or 8. We had an excellent teacher, kind, and patient. We all learned to play the piano, but some had more interest and focus than others. Some loved to practice and some hated it so the difference must have been more than the teacher influence. My closest brother, 1 year younger than me, often argued over whose turn it was to play! (I think the competition was good for both of us.) He turned out to be the best and went on to play in churches and elsewhere for audiences. I had to work harder but did OK in the long run. The older sisters didn’t play much, but oh, the harmony when they sang together! I later picked up brass and other instruments but I don’t think the others did. (my brother and I often played piano and trumpet together). Another brother also still plays piano and starting to introduce it his very young granddaughter.
Our parents were highly supportive with encouragement and praise! (Our mother always said an education in music was as important as the reading, writing, and arithmetic!) I knew other kids who started with piano and for whatever reason, teacher, parents, drive, didn’t stick with it long. I’ve personally only taught piano to one student and he was probably 8 or 9. He did well, but after a few years I felt I was the limitation and recommended he switch to a “real” teacher!!
The youngest I know of was a girl who studied piano from the same teacher we had - she was there often right before my brother and I so we could here her play. I don’t know when she started but at the time she was 4 years old! She was amazing and somewhat intimidating to us, reading music and playing things far beyond what we could imagine! Her biggest challenge for the classical pieces appeared to be her tiny hands!
I had my own kids start piano at perhaps 8 or 9. Two gave a good try but lost interest. A third son stayed interested and learned quickly, then started cello in the 4th grade and still plays almost 40 years later.
So all I have: from my limited family experience, as students and not teachers, more important than age is the desire and drive of individual combined with a teacher able to read the student and provide the right mix of challenge and encouragement. I think support and consistent encouragement from the parents is also a critical factor.
I’m very interested in hearing other opinions and experiences.
Btw, when growing up I never saw an accordion played or even knew they existed!
JKJ
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