How do I start teaching my 4 year old to play piano?

Question

She's very interested. I play, but I don't know how to teach. I was self taught, so my abilities are limited. I can read music well, though, due to vocal talents and training. What are the first steps to teaching her how to play? Is four years old too young?

Answer 1

Four isn't too young, just don't push it too much.

I would suggest getting a smaller piano, maybe a kids one or something cause at that age her fingers are too small.

But there are lots of books and programs out there,

the best place to start though is the basic keys, teach her where center c is and how to hold her hands.

Then start with basic songs like little brown jug.

Answer 2

start out with something simple. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, London Bridge, Mary had a little lamb, and anything else she may be familiar with. Later when she accomplishes these songs, you should try some more complicated songs. As soon as she masters a few songs and knows a few keys, buy a beginners book. Not a big book, it should be about 50 pages. The book should introduce all the keys on the piano, and talk about pitches and stuff. The book should have three finger exercises then 4 then 5 and continue, so she can memorize the keys. Then when she's older and she is good, you should either hire a teacher, or buy more and more books.

I started a couple years ago, with these exact things. I master all the easy songs, i know the keys, and i have beginner exercise books that are really helpful. And another thing that is cool is books that have disney songs in them. I practiced on those and its a really fun way to learn. Even though i dont like disney movies that well, it still is fun to play a page length song. Now since i've been playing for a couple years, i am now on an intermediate book, which talks about flats, sharp, and a lot of more complicated keys.

So don't force her to play hard songs, and try to convince her to start simple. It may take a while to learn, depending on how much time you have on yur hands, but as she gets older, she will master the keys and the other things she needs to know.

I Hope this helps, sorry if it was a little ling though :)

Answer 3

let her see lots of youtube videos. there are lots of videos that shows small childrens playing piano at a young age. it will inspire her.

Answer 4

Place her on your lap, place her hands on yours, and have fun.

Answer 5

Think of it as a double learning activity :) not only will she learn the basics of piano, she will also learn a few more letters!

You can try starting very simply at home. There are laminated piano charts you can buy which sit above the keys and have the notation for the key as well as the letter name written on each white and black key. That will help her slowly pick her way around at first.

Don't expect too much out of her at such a young age. Just have fun playing the piano together, maybe teach her the proper hand placement and posture...but it will take a while before she really picks it up.

When she is a bit older, you can establish her with a music teacher :)

Answer 6

just play with here sitting there with you and start taking lessons or just practicing The natural curiosity will be your best teacher and oh by the way it is not too young. Mozart was writing concertos by age 6!!!

Answer 7

Four is a good age to begin piano. You might try looking into the Carl Orff method as it's really good for teaching children music. There might be a school in your area that teaches it and you would be able to pick up tricks too. You can also try contacting the association for more information about what's available in your area and in regards to books, music, etc. Try their website: http://www.aosa.org/home. That's for the US but the program is worldwide. If you're outside the US, you can find your country at this site: http://www.orff.de/USA.1582.0.html?&L=1.

Good luck.

Answer 8

suzuki methods, and just playing and having fun

Answer 9

You will co-learn.

Pick up a copy of "John Thompson's modern course for the piano, grade one"

You can get these CHEAP on Ebay.

You learn the lessons a week ahead of your child.

Answer 10

Nope, four years is not too young, since this is somthing she wants to do. But four years could be too young, keep in mind that she probably shows intrest in the piano because you play it, so if she tries it and dosent like it, dont force her. She probably has no idea how difficult it is learning. The first step to teaching someone to play the piano is teaching her the keys and to have her know the sound, by know I dont mean have it memorized....I mean to know its basic sound: high, low, very high, very low ect ect.

Dont make learning a difficult thing, this could be somthing you and your daughter sare throughout life! I Hope For the Best With You And Your Daughter!

Answer 11

buy a a piano book for beginners and have him learn the scales and then soon he should beable to learn how to play songs.  Or u can teach her notes by showing her what finger plays which notes to play.

Try searching the web 4 a piano book to see what u get