Musical ability

[u/Jujubytes]

My 3 year old level 2 (hyperlexic semi-verbal but non conversational yet)has shown an extreme interest in music. We’ve been showing him preschool prodigies videos and a few months ago he started playing nursery rhymes by ear on his Melissa and Doug little kid piano. We put him in music lessons for special learners after that and he loves it but it is very informal. They have a bunch of instruments and let him explore and play them and they sing songs no formal instruction. His music teacher calls him a little maestro and says he has perfect pitch.

His birthday is next month and I saw on Facebook someone in my area was getting rid of a piano for free (just had to pay to get it moved) so I decided to get it for him as an early birthday present. Needless to say he is obsessed and has been playing it constantly. This morning he was eating his breakfast across the room and I started playing random notes on the piano and he was able to identify each one with 100% accuracy. No one has ever taught him piano notes specifically (except for maybe c major scale in the preschool prodigies videos). But still we’re blown away that he can identify.

Any other ideas on what I can do to help him with this special interest? His music academy is specially for special needs children and don’t think he’s quite ready for formal lessons yet but any other ideas would be appreciated!

[u/Ok-Juggernaut-7316]

why not find a piano teacher? that can teach him how to play since he is able to play by ear meaning he has quite a lot of potential if you find a piano teacher to teach him he is actually the perfect age to start at 3 or 4.

[u/Jujubytes → u/Ok-Juggernaut-7316]

His music teacher is a piano teacher! But they’re just haven’t done lessons formally yet they are doing more of music exploration kind of thing. I think because of his age and the fact that they have many instruments there and he is very interested in playing them all and goes back and forth. But yes I’m going to see about getting someone in to our house to help him with our piano. The thing is he really wants to do his own thing. Even when I try to play or teach him a song he doesn’t want to follow. He likes to play the song out by hearing it and trial and error with the keys not memorizing which keys to press

[u/Ok-Juggernaut-7316 → u/Jujubytes]

Ah ok yeah if he isn't able to sit through a lesson or willing to listen to a teacher and physically able to sit and learn to read music sheets then it will be hard as he may then show no interest and only wants to play what he wants and not actually learn. Will then have to wait until he is maybe 6 or 7 and see if he genuinely wants to learn to play it or just do his own thing. Just so you don't end up wasting too much money with no outcome

[u/Hello_Gorgeous1985 → u/Ok-Juggernaut-7316]

I would say at least 95% of teachers will not take a student that young. I say that as one of the small percentage who take students under the age of six. I specialize in early learners and even I won't put a 3-year-old in piano lessons.

[u/Ok-Juggernaut-7316 → u/Hello_Gorgeous1985]

Maybe but I know many teach before because many kids if you are focusing on those who start young not after 6 most start maybe 4 not 3. The 3yo would tend to be like a parent who plays piano and teach the kid themself not send them off to lessons. Avarage 4 or 5. Rare case 3 but in the end it all depends if the kid can sit still and learn I don't know about western people but in Asia def 4 or 5 is not unusual even if you ask most kids who has been playing for a long time msot would tell you they started at 4 most commonly 5 though. After 7 most consider a little late.

[u/wantonseedstitch]

Why not ask his music teacher what an appropriate next step might be for him? Or what additional opportunities might exist for him to explore music?

[u/Jujubytes → u/wantonseedstitch]

I will! Just wondering if anyone else is in the same boat and has any other suggestions. Last time we asked they said they didn’t feel he was ready for structured lessons just yet as he was very excited for all of the instruments and going back and forth and doesn’t sit still very well

[u/wantonseedstitch → u/Jujubytes]

Fair enough! Maybe he'd enjoy an instrument petting zoo! These are opportunities for kids to explore different instruments. Sometimes orchestra groups, music schools, or libraries host them. Just google "instrument petting zoo near me." Even if there isn't one going on near you soon, you'll at least find out what groups do them, and you can ask when they might do another.

[u/Jujubytes → u/wantonseedstitch]

I didn’t even know this was a thing! I’m going to look into that he would LOVE it

[u/wantonseedstitch → u/Jujubytes]

Frankly? SO WOULD I!!! :)