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We bought a nice keyboard some time ago and DS5 played with it off and on (but recently DS1 has been the one showing real interest in it). Recently we bought some early music instruction materials and began them, but other things came up and we haven't done any lessons in weeks. I'm watching this thread with interest, as I think it's about time to pay for lessons.

This is our experience as well. DS7 started piano at just 5 IIRC. He thought the lessons were fun (suzuki style with some other stuff thrown in by the experienced teacher), but the practice he hated. It was tons of work for me. We ended up taking a break for summer, and then had to take another very long break because of the teacher's illness. I was not rushing out to find another teacher or restart again, because it was such a pain to get the kid to practice. (He was actually not bad, though - not stellar, but when it came time to perform he did great.) So, our plan now is to re-start in August.

My thoughts on piano for kids are based primarily on the fact that I regretted that my parents let me decide if I wanted to have lessons or not (of course I chose not), and vaguely on the fact that it's good for mathy kids. So we'll gear up again soon. I am hopeful that now that DS is a bit older, it won't be quite so painful for me.....

I should have clarified a bit more. DS liked the lessons once he got to them, but he did not want to go, and still does not want to go! I wish I had a kid begging to go to piano, but that is sadly not the case. It is purely parent coercion. I don't think our piano teacher is a stickler either. I'm just hopeful that the kid won't complain so much this year.

MON - I'm glad that's working out for you. If we can get the boy to the lessons, I might try easing off on the forcing him to practice business too, and see how that goes.

If I can wiggle my way out of my part of the job somehow, I'm going for it! I don't think I'll be as lucky as you though.

DS at 2 started requesting to learn the violin. He has always loved classical string music. We started lessons the month before he turned 3. We decided not to go with Suzuki but found a wonderful private teacher who seems to be able to get the best out of him. He loves it and is learning to read music, can play the pieces he loves (ie Vivaldi etc) even if it is only a line or 2. We have built practice into our routine (albeit only 10 mins). If he decides not to continue later on that is fine but I think apart from the musical experience the fact that he has to practice something and cope if it is not quite perfect is invaluable. If practice is an issue it can be worth getting sheet music for the type of music they enjoy whether it is star wars, tv themes etc. Makes practice much more interesting.

So we had the first lesson... Very mellow. The teacher did a good job about just following. She is using My First Piano which is the pre-reading version of the set she uses for her students. She put a stuffed bird up at the high end of the piano and then made Bear sounds for the low end. She gave us a CD with some songs on it to listen to. DD seems interested in the songs. She had her playing two black keys together and making little songs with them. I think for the first lesson it went well. I liked the Mozart book mentioned with the bear and the mouse. I may look into that and see how it seems in comparison to this curriculum she has given us. DD has been very into the Little Bear stories and recently into the Tale of Despereaux so the mouse and bear are just so right on. It seemed there was a moment in the lesson where DD had to pull her fingers, her ears and watching and repeating what the teacher was doing all together that seemed perfect for the kind of therapy that she needs. I wonder though how much of that we can get and how long it will take to get to the place of more than a few moments.... patience specially in relationship to the needs of my children has never been my strong point.....

love reading your experiences...

well, a friend gave my 3 yo son a junk trumpet (that works but needs some help), and Nick is able to make a good clear note with the thing and practiced for about 30 mins straight.

still at a loss- he's so young, he can follow directions but has some psychomotor overexcitability. do I take the plunge and try some lessons, either trumpet or violin? hmmm...wish he wanted to play piano, we've got one, he can do chopsticks independently, but refuses lessons. He's got a drumkit and plays in tandem with my DH who is a gifted drummer, so no formal training needed there...will think some more..

I thought I would give an update... We are still doing piano lessons. We do not do every week. The teacher is fantastic and flexible and gives us some stuff to work on and when DD2 almost 3 requests a lesson and back we go. Last week they made "star" songs. DD2 took stickers of stars and placed them on the keys and then made songs. She really enjoyed it. My older DD13 and DD2 have created a little duet that they play together which is absolutely adorable...makes my heart ache. If you remember we are not doing this because I have an musically gifted child but because she has tested very low in visual-motor coordination and eye hand coordination. We sometimes just play a few notes and have her copy them. The other day she copied them but in a different octave on the piano...So I think it is helping....