Traditional Piano VS Keyboard for beginning piano

So we get this question a lot..."I have a baby grand (etc.) piano. Is this appropriate to start by 5 yr old on for lessons?"

OK - so here's the skinny on this subject. Keyboards are actually an excellent start for young students beginning piano lessons. There are keyboards that are sized for their small fingers and there is no resistance on the keys which allows for greater ease in pressing down those first notes.

As they grow, there are keyboards that are slightly larger with bigger keys and even touch sensitivity (not hammer action) which allow for the teaching of dynamics (loud and soft) with out the difficulty still of pressing down traditional keys.

Finally, there are full size keyboards or digital pianos that have 88 full size keys with-out and with hammer action which then gives the much desired "feel" of a traditional piano.

My normal suggestion for parents is to go digital. The sound is better, they are smaller, less cumbersome, lighter, and need virtually NO upkeep as "traditional" pianos need a lot of care. We suggest, for the health of the instrument and your investment, 4 tunings a year with perhaps a few having a pitch raise and some minimum maintenance, as well.

Hope this helps in your decision making!

Happy Practicing!

The Music Momma

Is Ukulele the right instrument for my 5 year old?

Hmmmmm....Is Ukulele the right instrument for anyone??? LOL

No really. It's actually a beautiful instrument (minus the visions of Tiny Tim playing "Tip toe through the tulips" that's now running through everyone over 35 years of age’s mind...sorry for that everyone! :)

I guess the question is why? Is it because they have heard all the new and exciting usage of this instrument in pop music lately? Or, is it because you are looking for a size alternative to the guitar?

It's it the latter, look no further! Guitars are sized for different ages!

At age 5 they would be using a 1/2 size guitar easily picked up at any reputable music school or store location. Many even rent-to-own so you can see if your little “Tiny Tim”, oops, I mean “rock star” really likes the guitar before committing. :)

Keeping practicing!

The Music Momma

1/2 Size Guitar Rent To Own

More of Your Questions Being Answered

"Should I be concerned about getting an older teacher for my son to start lessons with? Does that suggest they have more experience?"
Anna, Orlando, FL


Thanks for the question Anna! Age has little to nothing to do with knowledge and appropriate teaching experience. If you want to make sure you are getting a proper educator make sure you are using a music company that only hires professionals with a minimum of a bachelor's degree. Someone could have been "teaching" for many years but without the proper background may not have the pedagogy to help children and adults start out with the correct support to allow them to thrive in the future.

Keep asking questions!

The Music Momma

More of Your Questions being Answered

My daughter takes year round guitar lessons. We will be taking a long summer vacation this year. 3 and 1/2 weeks. Should we just skip lessons for the summer? How should we handle this?" Anna, Springfield, VA

Hi Anna,

Most of our clients at LNM take vacations all year round, as well as the summer. We accommodate their schedules. If you communicate your schedule early enough you should not have a problem rescheduling the instructional time so your daughter can have her vacation while not losing any of her learning, as well.

Happy Practicing!

The Music Momma

More of Your Questions being answered...

I am hoping to purchase a piano soon for my 5 yr old to start lessons on. I have been looking at grand pianos and uprights. What would you suggest would be best for my investment and for her to start on?" Julie, Hamilton, VA


Thanks for the question Julie! This is a good one. Grand pianos are beautiful pieces of furniture and if this is what you have your heart set on then go for it. However, if you are thinking of it as anything but a very expensive, all be it beautiful, piece of furniture then I would suggest looking elsewhere to fill your need. Up right pianos are nice too but antiquated at this point. They are expensive, heavy, take up a lot of space and are costly to keep in good shape.

For beginners, their fingers sometimes have a hard time pushing down the keys of a "traditional" piano. We always suggest a digital piano to our families’ adding a piano to their house. They are excellent products with superior sound quality. They are small, light weight, very attractive and can have weighted keys like a traditional piano keyboard without the expensive maintenance schedule.

Hope this helps!

Happy Practicing!

The Music Momma

Your Questions Being Answered - Trumpet!

More of your questions being answered:

"When is a good time to start the trumpet? My child is currently 4."

Great question! It's always great to jump on your child's interests when they are highest! However, you also want to make sure they will have a positive experience to build upon as they grow both in age and musically.

Brass instruments typically need to be started when the student is physically able to handle holding the instrument properly (big enough hands, arms, fingers, etc.) and also able to produce the proper amount of air to have a chance at creating an appropriate tone to be successful.

There is no exact age for this but a general age would be approx. 9-10 years old. There are always exceptions to this and I would suggest renting an instrument first and having a trained professional educator to help in the beginning so he gets off to a good start!

Keep sending in your questions!

Musically Yours!

The Music Momma

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The Music Momma

My child is 2 and LOVES music. Can they take music lessons yet?

More of your questions being answered:

Yes! When kids are very young it's an optimal time for learning!

Many people over look the enormous potential of these early years but it's a great time to begin music!

If you are looking for a private lesson situation, piano, specifically keyboard is a great starter instrument for ages 2 and up.

You want to make sure to find a music company that specializes in curriculum for this young age to keep things age appropriate and most important FUN for these little guys! Also important is choosing a company that can get you an accompanying instrument that is size appropriate for their little fingers!

Happy Practicing!

The Music Momma

Your Questions Being Answered

More of Your Questions being answered -

"We are going through a divorce and I am trying to cut down on expenses. My daughter currently takes piano lessons and loves it. What should I do?"

Deliliah - Texas



This is a tough one. You need to do what is right for your family in this tough situation. However, if you have the ability to keep going you will want to do so. I can tell you from personal and professional experience that especially at a time of great dramatic change the best thing to do for kids, and for your self, is to keep as many things consistent as possible. These become the things people hold on to and give them strength to allow for the transition of the things they can't control to seem a little more palatable. Specifically something like music; which is such an individual and personal experience. It can become a real life line in times of trouble and woe.

I wish you the best in your tough time and best wishes to you and your family for a healthy and smooth transition to this new journey.

Musically Yours,

The Music Momma

Your Questions being answered: Keyboards VS Pianos?

Anna, WV - "Keyboards VS Pianos?"

Ah...the great debate. Is it OK to start learning to play on a keyboard or do you NEED a piano? There are those in the music industry that like to make you believe there is something wrong with playing on a keyboard. There are even those institutions and schools that refuse to allow students to take lessons without the use of a "traditional" piano.

The answer? You can start on either. In fact, for the youngest of fingers we suggest a keyboard as apposed to an acoustic piano. The keyboard's keys are more easily manageable for the young musician due to their size and non-hammer action. A traditional piano is sometimes more difficult to push down with frequency and ease for their little fingers.

If you are in need of having the more traditional piano I would highly suggest a digital piano instead of an acoustic piano. The sound bites on these instruments are that of the exact acoustical instruments they represent. The sound quality is top notch! Not only that but they are very attractive pieces, don't take up as much room, are not heavy and are easily moved and never need to be tuned! With these instruments, you also have the option of hammer action or non-hammer action keys. Not sure what this means? Basically, the hammer action mimics the action and weight of traditional piano keys. The units are usually the same and the difference in price differs greatly between hammer and non-hammer action which gives you price options, as well.

Thanks for the question Anna!

Keep asking your questions!
Musically Yours, Shelly
ShellySuarez@LearnNowMusic.com

Your Questions Being Answered: My child wants to quit their music lessons. What do I do?

My child wants to quit their music lessons. What do I do?

Julia, NY, NY

Hi Julia, thanks for the question. I have gotten this one a lot. There are many reasons students of all ages want to either start or stop something like lessons, etc. You know your child best. Typically, there is excitement that comes with starting an instrument due to the fact it's new, etc. The possibilities of the experience are endless at this point. About 6-8 months, give or take, into taking a new instrument students typically hit a stumbling point. Things are no longer "new" and the intricacies of playing their instrument have become more apparent and brought to the forefront. In other words, it's harder now! :) Now most students weather this storm by hunkering in and stepping up and possibly readjusting their own personal musical goals to be more realistic with the information they now have gained. Some students, however, allow this as an excuse to quit. Should you let them? Hmmmm...Again you know your child best. My professional opinion? Absolutely not. Not only is it potentially a bad habit that could be created (example - things get hard? Just quit and try something else) but they will miss out on the feeling of accomplishment that comes from sticking to something and finally conquering it! That is priceless self-confidence building that will transfer over to anything they do in life.

Now, there is another situation that is common with lessons. Sometimes things get "stale" as they have taken lessons for a while. The best cure for this sometime is a new book, a new take on the lessons, a new focus within the same musical experience. And, if that doesn't work, maybe consider that they may not want to stop music lessons all together but may want to try a different instrument. Sometimes it takes a while for someone to find their musical voice and which instrument that is exactly.

Either way, keeping music in their lives in a positive way is important. Before quitting, have a conversation with them and refocus and try something new!

Keep asking your questions!

Happy Practicing!

Shelly

More of your questions being answered: My child wants to play one instrument and I want them to play another. What do I do?

My child wants to play one instrument and I want them to play another. What do I do?

From anonymous in Great Falls, VA


Another great question! Here is the rule of thumb. If your child has a strong preference towards a specific instrument, don't fight it. The only thing you want to make sure is that the instrument is age appropriate (example: they may LOVE the tuba at age 5 but would not be able to hold it up! :) )

Remember this is their musical experience and they need room to be able to explore. Just because they try one instrument now does not mean they will never try another. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Most children who have played one instrument with confidence and success will be more open and willing to try out new instruments in the future. The best way to create that success and confidence is to support and embrace their unique interests!

Keep sending in your questions!

Happy practicing!

Shelly