Checking childrens abilities?

[Dorsetmike]

How best to check for a childs musical abilities? Grand daughter at age 3y6m can carry a tune quite well, the sort of things she gets at pre school or hears on some of the chilldrens TV programmes.

Is it worth introducing her to a keyboard, I have a Farfisa (I use it for MIDI input to GrandOrgue on the PC)

How to start, just let her have a general play around on it and see what transpires or giving a short "demo" first. I was contemplating picking out one of the songs she knows on the K/B then seeing if she can manage to repeat any of it and possibly progress from there.

Probably too early to introduce notes on paper, but hopefully finding out if there is any aptitude. Her mother was performing on cornet in a band by about age 10.

Any guidance welcome, I only suggest the keyboard as a starter as that is what is available.

[Krummhorn]

I was about 5 years old ... we had a piano at home ... we returned from hearing a French pianist (no, it wasn't Clayderman ) perform in concert ... I sat at the piano and began to play some of the same notes that I had heard in one piece. My sister hailed "Mom? You better come out here!" Within weeks, I began piano lessons at age 6. Ours was a musical family, Dad played the double b flat concert tuba, Mom the violin and my sister the viola.

I would say try the keyboard ... after a little demo perhaps ... good idea to start with something she is familiar with, being able to associate sung notes with the different keys. Many a vocal soloist is able to plunk our their notes on a piano, and/or accompany themselves.

[teddy]

Mike. They are never too young and are like sponges, children will soak up as much as they can hold. Teach her something simple which she will be able to play and will not get bored or frustrated with. Progress at a rate she can cope with. She may be very interested in musical notation particularly if she is starting to read.

teddy

[marval]

I agree, a child is never too young to learn. I am sure she will love having a go on the keyboard. You might find out she has a musical talent, but most importantly she might enjoy it.


Margaret

[JHC]

I can't see any harm in showing her the key board and letting her play around, what does her mother say?

[wljmrbill]

Many a great musician started at a very early age...China and Japan are famous for young performers. If she can carry a tune you have a very good beginning. Younest I have ever taught is 4 yrs old. Good Luck

[teddy]

Mike, we have a new member, thirdcreed, who teaches music to youngsters.

teddy

[Alban Berg]

At 3 and a half years could recognize more than 75 opera excerpts. Today he's a rock star an a music producer.

Look for John nathaniel on Google.....If you're lazy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsKX3ipL6Ag


Martin

[thirdcreed]

Hey Mike,

It's wonderful that your daughter is showing interest and aptitude in music. My youngest piano student is 5 years old, and is learning quite rapidly, while other industrious and talented students at 7 and 8 are quite slow. All kids are different and are ready at different times.

Three years is a little young to start most of the methods. I think the best things that you can do right now are spend time with your daughter having fun with music. The more positive associations the better. Pitch matching, is a great excercise. Sing a short piece of music of your own invention and see if she can sing it back, ideally with rewards. Help her clap a steady beat, and reward long succesions of on-beat claps. Even learning note names on the keyboard.

Just the fact that you are seeking answers, show that you're involved in her music education, and that is key. I would definetly say you could not push her to much with positive reinforcement, IMO a child this young should never be punished for not wanting to practice. You wouldnt want to say get angry at her for not practicing. This should be a stage where she is exploring and developing fluency, I've seen children turned off of music because they were afraid of failure. Push her, but with rewards, not punishment.

If you are going to start her on a method I would reccommend the suzuki method, it is the only one I know of that has material for such young students. Most other methods start at five.

Even if you don't end up using suzuki look over these websites, I think suzuki got alot of things right.
http://www.suzukimethod.or.jp/english/E_mthd112.html
http://suzukiassociation.org/teachers/twinkler/

Best of Luck Mike. Keep us updated on how she is doing!

[teddy]

Very good. You must be very proud of him

teddy