Is 4 too young to introduce a musical instrument?

[Stephanie Doty]

I have been thinking about getting my 4yr old step-son a guitar for Christmas, I have read alot of positive statistics on children who have introduced to musical instruments at a young age. My step-dad is n 7 different bands and he plays bass guitar, upright bass, and regular guitar and when ever we go to my parents house he wants to play with the guitar for hours, and I am not sure if it is because it is something we don't have or it makes noise or a little of both, but I figured if I could get him a guitar and maybe teach him 1 or 2 chords a month it wont hurt him...I am NOT trying to be a stage-parent I just know how much I love music and so does he..(he likes the Ramones, Misfits, Johhny Cash etc) so I figured what the heck if he doesn't like it after 3 months, then at least I tried, and maybe get him some drums...

 

[ozric510]

Heck I've been introducing musical instruments since he was able to sit upright. Early on I got him a drum which he does tap out steady rhythms on. We have fun playing with my melodicas I blow into them and he presses the keys. He has a lot of fun with that. Soon I will get him a small piano or just let him play with my old synthesizers. He's also been plucking at the strings of my bass guitar when I play it (I told his mom it's his bass guitar but I'm going to borrow it until he's old enough). An actual guitar is hard for little hands to get around and even my big adult man hands aren't very comfortable on a fretboard I think piano or an easy wind instrument (clarinet) would be a good choice but if he seems comfortable with fingering a guitar go for it. I'd let him try first. My son is only 18 months old now but he sings and dances to music and I sing to him a lot of silly songs I make up off the top of my head I think he's got no choice to be musically inclined but he enjoys it. I also would never push him into something he doesn't want to do but I have this vision of "jamming" with him in a few years. I want to teach him to use his ears, and when the time comes he can get formal instruction to learn the scales and theory and reading music which I know also but I truly believe music comes from the heart so I'm going to be focused on "feeling it".

 

[Mrs Joan Jett]

Oh my God a 4 year old likes the Ramones and the Misfits? I started listening to them when I was 11!
No, get him the guitar. at that age your brain is like a sponge. If he doesn't like it, don't force him, but if he does, encouraging it would be great

 

[Taywa]

my mom got me started in piano when i was 4 and im so glad she did... i don't really remember details but she told me it was really hard to keep me concentrated and it was harder for me to understand it the way i would of if i was older. i didn't show much interest because it was hard work but once i got the hang of it everything became a lot easier i played for 12 years after that and got really good. i think i advanced a lot more than people at my age level because i started a lot earlier than most others in my age group. now i can not play for years then sit at a piano and it will all come back to me as if i never stopped. i think getting your kid started early is an amazing idea and if he ends up not liking it then let him stop but if he does like it you'll be so much more thank full that you got him started earlier then later.

 

[DizzyLizzy]

A musical instrument is a great idea. BUT I don't think a guitar is a good choice. It requires a lot of dexterity and finger-reach that he might not have. Also for a guitar to sound good, you have to place your fingers just right. It might discourage him if he can't.

A flute or a piano is easier and more encouraging because you can rapidly pick out songs by ear. Drums are fun for banging on, but they too require a lot of coordination (your foot does one thing, your right hand another and your left hand another) I think if you want to get him a musical instrument, also pay for classes (even group is better than none) or it will end up piled in the corner of the room.

 

[Stacy S]

it's not too young if you want to get him one then go ahead and do it i'm sure he'll love it