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DD's school started group lessons at 4.5. Kids could elect to take piano on their own and they all did really well. They performed a year end concert.

She wanted to continue so we started her in private lessons at 5.5. She really enjoys it.

My sister and brother were both either 2 or 3. They're 16 and 14 now, and absolutely amazing. I keep meaning to ask my sister how she feels about having started so young, and whether she'd do the same for her kids. Though she may still be too young to have really thought through whether she wants to parent the way her parents did.

@Freckles: I would go for a group lesson if she's that young. It seemed really fun for them to do it in a group.

We plan to start LO with lessons when she is 4. We were thinking around now, but there just isn't time right now, and she is more into ballet and those lessons.

I would avoid Suzuki, personally. That method produces excellent results short-term, not so across-the-board great results long term. I studied violin for many years and the Suzuki students often cracked at some poin, once they got out of the Suzuki books and had to go to "real" music. I'm sure it works for some people, but I had multiple teachers and none of them were fans (although all were fans of the work books, which I am a fan of as well)

Heck yes! I mean, that's how I feel about studying music. I only have 2 main requirements- play an instrument until you are 18 and graduate college. So anyhow, I am not sure when we will start. But right now we are looking at either private piano lessons or suzuki method violin. I would like to start as soon as possible, kinder here starts at 4, so I am not sure if she needs time to adjust to that and start the next year at 5. Ideally I will do both suzuki violin and piano private. I could teach her myself, but I think it would be good for her to study with another teacher and we have a school literally a couple doors down.

I don't have kids but I definitely plan on putting them into piano lessons. I will probably take the same approach my parents did (but we'll see).

I think I started lessons at age 5 or 6, but my dad taught me how to play by ear before that. He didn't know how to read music, but he knew how to play a bunch of easy songs. He taught me the songs he knew, and I'm pretty sure I taught myself a few by just listening and figuring out the tune. I remember piano lessons being a breeze for me in the beginning.

@Freckles: we are planning on starting around 4.5. I've talked to Several instructors in our area and they all recommend waiting until at least 4-5, closer to 5 for attention frame purposes.

@T-Mom: yes, we did that too in the fall when she was 3.5. Since she was expressing a ton of interest in piano and was able to sit still and focus for at least 15 minutes, I thought it might be a good time to start. The teacher thought she was just too young after meeting and watching her a couple times though, and I'm hindsight I agree - she just wasn't ready for sit down, structured lessons at that age.

I hated group lessons as a kid! I remember spending more time sitting around than playing.

Otherwise, if your child is showing an interest, why not give it a try!

If this was my daughter I would assume it's because other kids at school are taking lessons. I would wait a few more months to see if she continues to express interest.

Personally, I would wait till closer to 5 for piano lessons. I know that DD1 can NOT sit still for that long!

@chopsuey: Is she just learning hands on the keyboard and stuff like that? Or actually starting to learn how to read music?

I want to make sure my kids are exposed to music and know how to read music but dont care that they grow up to be expert players or anything. So I'm not sure if its worth waiting some until they could actually grasp sheet music.