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Has anyone had a child start violin lessons or learn how to play the violin? Or piano?

DD1 will turn 7 in April.

We are looking at getting her into music & currently deciding between violin or piano.

I would love to hear your experiences.

DH has a piano from his childhood/teenage years that he had when learning the piano at his parents place, so if we decide on piano, we will organise for the piano to be moved to our house.

But would love to hear some experiences on you or your kids learning at this age.

TIA

[erindiv]

I have a young relative who starting learning piano at 8 (so a little older). They weren't sure what to get her into but decided on the piano as it is easier to learn than a lot of other instruments. The violin, in particular, is very difficult to learn.

[howdo]

DD2 began learning the piano at 6. Mum always says that 8 is the ideal age but agreed to teach DD at 6yo. She says it was the right time for her to learn. She now believes that as long as the child can read, then they can learn music. It's been a very good thing for DD2 she's now been learning for 5 years and is working on preparation for her second exam.

[barrington]

A lot of schools start violin in Grade 3.

DS started piano on his 7th birthday and then violin 6 mths later at school. He's finding the piano easier (we have two in the house) but I also like the fact he is in a string group at school. I suspect he will drop the violin for a wind instrument in the next few years as he's currently teaching himself the recorder.

DD1 started piano at almost 6, after a lot of begging. I initially thought she was too young, but she is thriving. She is also learning at school and her piano teacher would not take her on as a student until she first talked to DD1's classroom and music teacher. She is easily the youngest student learning the piano at her (very highly musically regarded) school.

I would have no hesitation in starting the piano first, especially if you have a good one in your house.

[Avogadro]

DS started playing cello at nearly 7. He had no problems learning to read the music and he loves it.

The advantage with choosing violin is that if you child wants to become involved in an orchestra, then its easy (spoken by someone who played piano for 10 years - good enough to be good, but not good enough to be involved in any group musical activity )

[deejie]

I learnt piano as a child and violin as an adult. I would go piano to start with.

The violin is technically very difficult to learn. Starting with piano, she will learn the base theory of music and learn how to read it. If she shows a flair for music or an interest in violin, she can always pick up the violin as a second instrument.

[howdo]

Also mum always says that the piano gives the best basis in music. A lot of musicians can play the piano in addition to their instrument. Piano learning will never be wasted even if your child changes to another instrument later.

That said DD1 learned a woodwind and can play simple piano pieces without any lessons I think because as she can read music she can apply if to the keyboard. That indicated to me it's either easy or intuitive.

[BronR]

I think it's always good to start with the piano. It is a great basis for all ongoing music.

I learnt both piano and violin as a child. These days I sing and play neither.

DS started piano last year (at 6 1/2) and is going really well. He will have to pick up recorder at school this year as all year 2's at his school learn recorder. He wants to learn a brass instrument so hw needs to wait until at least year 3 (our opinion) for that.

[30bt]

My kids play suzuki violin- they love it most of the time. My dd1 started it in yr 3 my dd2 started in Kindy. If you want your child to be able to play in an orchestra or group then they need to do violin. I think they can learn piano when they are a bit older.
The Suzuki method proves that you can start violin at any age be it 3 or 33 and progress at your own pace!

[lsolaBella]

I did piano and that age and took up violin at 12yrs. I progressed very quickly in violin from my piano background.

My 7yo is starting piano this year.

Advantage for piano then violin later is that you don't get years if bad violin playing .