The piano is a great instrument to learn because of its versatility. It's also the most popular instrument to learn, followed by the guitar, ukulele, drums and voice.

It's also more common to see much younger children playing the piano compared to other instruments. If you're considering enrolling your child in piano lessons, you may also be wondering what the best age is to start them.

There are a few things you should consider before enrolling your child in piano lessons, which we'll discuss below. Like us, you'll probably realize that there is no one "best" age for starting your child in lessons. We'll talk about why a little later, too.

How to Tell If Your Child Is Ready for Piano Lessons

There are a few factors that affect the best time for your child to start piano lessons. Here's what you should look out for before enrolling your child in their first lesson:  

• Development: There are a few growth milestones that are key to allowing your child to learn the piano. First, their hands should be big enough that they can place each finger on a different white key. Secondly, they should be able to move each of their fingers independently. Ask your child to wiggle one finger on one of their hands. They should have developed their fine motor skills to the point where they are able to play the instrument.
• Ability: Does your child have a natural inclination to the piano? If they like to hum to themselves, perk up when they hear music or can sing along to songs with a fairly accurate pitch, it shows that they might naturally have an ear for music. Or, at the very least, it shows your child has an interest in music.
• Motivation: You've probably seen or heard of children who came to dislike an activity because their parents forced them into it. You shouldn't enroll your child in piano lessons unless they want to do it. On the flip side, when your child expresses a strong interest in learning to play piano, it can be a huge motivator. Practice time would be fun instead of feeling like a chore. Self-motivation could also help them progress more quickly and challenge themselves.
• Time: Remember that as well as time during their lessons, learning requires practice at home. If either of you is not willing or able to commit that time to encourage them to practice, it might not be the right time to learn piano.

 If your child has reached these developmental stages and has the motivation to learn, then they're probably ready to get started!

 There Is No "Right" Age

Every child is different. That means there is no perfect age for every child to begin learning the piano. Some kids start playing as young as three or four while others don't start until they are ten. It's up to you do decide when your child is ready to begin learning how to play the piano.

However, there is a prime age range that is a good time to enroll in piano lessons. When your child is between the ages of six and seven, they have the perfect combination of finger strength, motivation and smarts to begin learning the piano. If your child begins learning around this age and they stick with it, you're setting them up to become great players with a lifelong love of the instrument. Some children can start earlier, but every child is different and ready at their own pace!

We've talked mostly about young children learning to play the piano. But remember that anyone can learn how to play this instrument, no matter how old you are!

With the right motivation and dedication, anyone can learn how to play the piano. If you start later in life, that's okay and you can still become proficient and enjoy a lifelong passion for the instrument.

If you live in the San Rafael or Santa Rosa area and are looking for a great piano teacher, look no further than Bananas at Large®. We have a large selection of Roland Keyboards to get you started.  Check out our music lesson options for every skill level and age.