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South of the River
Music Provides
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Music Lessons!
Piano Lessons
Guitar Lessons
Voice Lessons
Drum Lessons
Brass Lessons
Woodwind Lessons
String Lessons
Harmonica Lessons
Accordian Lessons

At What Age Can My Child Begin?

Frequently Asked
Questions

The earlier a child can be exposed to music, the better! Music has so many benefits
beyond music education! Music increases math, reading, spatial skills, and SAT scores. It
teaches commitment, organization, self discipline and positive social skills and increases a
childâ€™s self esteem!

The following are average age recommendations for each instrument. The perfect age to
begin lessons is ultimately dependant on the individual child. Some students find success at
beginning lessons at a much earlier age than normally recommended. Other students
benefit from waiting until an older age to start lessons.

We believe that the age they are motivated and excited to play is the perfect time to start!

Piano: 4-6 years old and up
The piano is a wonderful starter instrument for younger students. Since music has a strong
foundation in letters and numbers, kids who have started school should be able to begin
piano lessons.Children as young as 3 have very successfully started their music education
on the piano.

Instruction on the piano or keyboard provides a great musical foundation.Children learn
basic music theory concepts such as the music alphabet, note values, what a staff is, and
the location of the keys on the keyboard.

No matter the age, whether young or old, the piano is a great instrument to begin or
continue your music education.

Guitar: 8 years and up
Children should begin their lessons on acoustic guitar.There are many acoustic models in
various sizes to fit the individual student. Learning on an acoustic guitar best strengthens
the studentâ€™s hands and fingers.
The bass guitar requires a certain level of hand strength so students should be at least 8
years old.
The electric guitar is great for older students (10 years and up) especially teenagers.They
identify with that style of music since it is usually part of their listening repertoire.

Voice: 10-12 years old and up for in-depth voice lessons
It is very possible to start voice lessons at a much younger age, but the lessons would
focus more on basic musicianship skills and vocal breathing techniques in order to prepare
a student for serious training as their body and voice matures. Often times with younger
students, a teacher
will incorporate basic keyboard skills to help teach music theory and fundamentals.

Drums: 8-10 years old and up
Students need to be able to comfortably reach around the drum set with their hands and
touch the floor pedals with their feet.
Many school band programs require 1-2 years of piano to learn the fundamentals of music
before taking drum lessons. Though we donâ€™t require a drum student to take piano
lessons before they can begin drum lessons, if a student is too young to start on drums,
starting with piano lessons would allow them to get involved right away and prepare for
future drum lessons.

Band instruments: 8-9 years old and up
(Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba,
French Horn)
Due to the size and weight of the instruments and the required breath support and lung
capacity, it is best to start at 8-9 years old and up.

String instruments: 5 years old and up
(Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)
Since music has a strong foundation in letters and numbers, kids who have started school
should be able to begin violin lessons.
Like piano, instruction on violin provides a great musical foundation.Children learn basic
music theory concepts such as the music alphabet, note values, what a staff is, and the
location of the notes on the violin.
7-8 years old and up may be a better fit for viola, cello, and double bass due to the size of
the instrument and the physical strength required.