Piano Lessons For Children Or Violin? How To Choose The Right First Instrument

Your child is growing day by day, and you’re now wondering what classes to enrol them in, but you’re stuck between two instruments. Everybody has opinions. So does the internet. What is the correct choice then?

It must be admitted that there is nothing wrong with choosing either the piano or the violin as the first instrument for your child.

At Chorus Music Therapy & Education, we provide lessons for both, so we are swamped with these questions regularly. We have compiled this guide for you, which explains how piano lessons for children, as well as violin lessons, differ in the early stages, which age suits which, and how to decide without making a guess.

Piano Vs Violin: What Your Child Will Actually Experience

Piano vs violin mostly depends on how quickly a child hears a sound that they can make sense of and be proud of.

On the piano, you have to press a key and a clear note comes out. Each note is already in tune, and the layout is easy to understand. A kid of age five will be able to appreciate the fact that the music goes higher with the movement of the right hand. When learning how to play the piano, there are some fast results, which motivate the child.

The violin, on the other hand, demands a deeper understanding. There are no keys to press or frets, so a child learns where to place their fingers by feel and by listening to the tune. The bow requires a steady arm, and the first sounds can be scratchy. That is totally normal. But it does mean that the early weeks are slower in terms of progress, and reward comes with patience.

Should My Child Learn Piano Or Violin First?

For smaller age groups, children who are under the age of six, piano is the easier first choice. For older children who are patient and are drawn to strings, the violin works well from the first day.

• Children between 3 and 4 years old: Music play is preferred. Dance and keyboard classes develop rhythm skills and listening before lessons.

• Children between 5 and 6 years old: Piano is the most common choice. A small fractional violin may be considered if your child is mature enough for that, in the opinion of the teacher.

• Children between 7 and 9 years old: Both instruments are suitable. Children at this age often show enough patience to deal with the slower learning process in violin lessons.

• Children from 10 years old: It is better to listen to their motivation rather than age. Older students learn faster on the piano because they know how to read in school.

But this does not finalise anything for your child. Many children start on piano and add violin later, or start with the violin altogether. Your child’s interest is still the priority; everything else comes later.

What Age Should A Child Start Piano Lessons?

Most children are ready between the ages of four and six. The real test is focus, not age. If your child can follow a simple instruction, copy a clapped rhythm and sit through a short story, they’re likely ready for a lesson of 20 to 30 minutes.

They don’t need to read yet. Children around three or four often do better in a play-based keyboard group before moving to one-to-one lessons.

What Practice Looks Like At Home

Practice shapes the choice more than parents expect. Piano lessons for children of five or six usually come with short, daily practice sessions of around ten minutes, and a child can often manage alone once they know the pieces.

Violin practice tends to need a parent nearby in the early months to check posture, bow hold and tuning. If your evenings are busy, that matters. Be honest about how much time you can sit alongside your child.

Mistakes Parents Often Make

Picture a six-year-old who sees a violinist at a school assembly and announces they want to play. Two weeks in, the scratchy sound has them in tears. Their interest was real. The instrument just needed a little more time, and a trial lesson would have shown that early.

A few other slips come up often:

• Choosing the instrument you wish you’d learned yourself.

• Buying before trying. There are violins made in fractions, which children grow out of quickly, so inquire about renting. As for the piano, the full-size touch-sensitive keyboard should do for the initial few months.

• Switching at the first frustration. A rough patch around week six is typical on both instruments.

How To Decide?

Watch your child for a few days. A child who drums on every table and hums tunes from films will probably enjoy the instant feedback of the piano. A child who pauses to listen each time he hears the sound of the violin is definitely a born string instrument player.

Then book a trial. Ten minutes at the instrument tells you more than an hour of reading, and you’ll see how your child holds focus and reacts to feedback.

Piano And Violin Lessons In Cambridge

If you’re looking for music lessons, Cambridge parents can book close to home. Chorus Music Therapy & Education runs individual music lessons and group music lessons with an experienced teacher who sets the pace around your child.

Cambridge violin lessons that some parents enquire about can also be considered, should your little one really want strings. Whatever musical instrument you end up choosing, beginning with children’s piano lessons will be a good start, while violin lessons require a bit more dedication from the kid.

FAQs

1. Should a beginner learn in groups or one-on-one?

Both are equally effective, but it really comes down to your child. When it comes to children’s piano classes, those that are conducted in groups work well for extroverted beginners who like learning in the presence of other children, while one-on-one classes would be perfect for a shy and quick learner.

2.How long before my child can play a proper tune?

Piano lessons for children - generally after a week or two, but it will be a simple one. For violin, it takes more time - maybe after a few months. Weeks can be slow in both lessons.

3.Does my child need to be musical already?

No, most beginners aren’t able to read notes or maintain a beat at all, and this is exactly the reason why they need lessons. Passion is more important than talent.

4.Can I help with practice if I don’t play myself?

Absolutely, all you have to do is be there near them, ask them to play their piece, and you’ll see how far they have progressed. Their teacher will guide you on what to look out for.

5.When should my child take their first music exam?

Not in any hurry. There is very little need for children to take such tests in the first year. You need to wait till they play the pieces comfortably and enjoy doing so.