[HANASHIR:13503] Re: Learning Instruments

[Moss5533 <Moss5533...>]

Rosalie,

As the mother of 4, all interested in music and 2 of whom are music majors, I 
think the most important thing is to "strike while the iron is hot."  Desire 
is key.  Once you are sure a true desire is there, if it isn't nurtured, it 
can wither.  Whatever instrument is decided upon, I'd rent first to be sure 
the interest lasts before buying.  The advice I heard repeatly through the 
years is that piano can start when the child can read.  The Suzuki violin 
method begins some students as young as 3 1/2 (with parents who are willing 
to practice with them).  Two of my sons sang from the moment they could talk 
(and seldom stopped).  They began violin in 2nd grade at school and the next 
year one switched to cello.  I don't remember how old they started piano.  
(You can rent scaled down instruments even as small as 1/8!)  A few of their 
friends who started strings even younger were ahead of them for many years 
but the main thing is their desire to play.  I would also have the child make 
a commitment for a certain length of time since kids interests can be pretty 
fickle and it takes a lot of practice to achieve results.  

Hope that helps,
Fran Moss