When is the Right Time to Start Music Lessons

When is the Right Time to Start Music Lessons Suzy S. Music lessons really are for all ages! Dont believe us? Think youre too old to learn? Read on as Dayton, OH teacher Mike H. explains why this is far from the case! Studies have shown that the younger a child is, the better the chances of starting a successful music education. Children as young as 2 start learning under the Suzuki method and most children have a “window” of opportunity that opens around age 3. Sadly, that window closes around age 10, well past the age where most public schools now begin their instrumental music programs. But what if you’re an adult who never got to learn the instrument of your dreams? I have talked to people over the years who were trying to encourage their own children to take the opportunities they had not. They were encouraging their children to learn music from a perspective of missed opportunities and the thought that it’s too late for them but not for their child. Well, it’s never too late to learn a musical instrument! Adults may not realize that now that they’re fully grown with life experience, they are capable of learning an instrument despite the perceived setbacks. They often become bogged down with work schedules, family life and the delicate balance of life. But music lessons later in life have suggested a number of extra benefits such as: It can be relaxing and a great way to de-stress. Music lessons can help with organization and planning skills. Music can enhance your ability to do math and logical calculations There are more opportunities than you might realize for public performance Learning an instrument later life can act as an obstacle to Alzheimers I’d like to start at that top of that list and discuss the relaxation benefits of taking music lessons and illustrate a few examples of what that might look like.   If you’re like most adults, you already have some sort of activity you enjoy when you get the time whether that be a hobby, or a simple afternoon nap. Listening to your favorite music has a calming effect. Your blood pressure will drop slightly and your heart rate will actually pace itself to the beat of the song. This is why you prefer hearing up-tempo music while exercising but not necessarily while trying to sleep. But what about playing an instrument? In my experience, this effect is heightened a bit more than just listening, which alone is often done in the background of other activity. In that case, it’s not likely to work at all.   When you concentrate on the notes of a melody of a familiar song while playing it yourself, you can hear it come to life and the satisfaction from the hard work and perseverance is more rewarding than simply listening to the song on an iPod. The skills you pick up learning an instrument pay off huge dividends and you may find it’s easier than you think to get started. So drag out your guitar or dust off your old piano and take the first step! Like this post? Dont miss out on any of our tips, tricks and advice! Sign up for a free email subscription and receive our updates! You might also like 4 Inspirational TED Talks for Musicians Battling Your Inner Critic During Performances 5 Key Advantages of Taking Music Lessons as an Adult Mike H. teaches drum, guitar, piano, music recording, music theory, percussion and songwriting lessons in Dayton, OH. He received his Bachelors degree in Music Education from Wright State University, and has over 11 years of experience teaching music! Mike joined the TakeLessons team in December 2012. Learn more about Mike, or search for a teacher near you! Photo by Tulane Public Relations