So . . . You have read the literature and heard other parents talk about how studying music helps their children. Now what?
The first instrument you consider studying should be the piano. WHY? The piano provides immediate gratification. You do not have to worry about producing the sound as you do with other instruments such as the flute or violin. Children age 3 and older can start with piano.
Piano demonstrates the BASIS of all music. Whatever you learn during piano study is immediately applicable to voice and all other instruments. Even if your child is not enthusiastic about the piano; it is never a waste of time. I recommend at least one year of piano; perhaps with a parental promise of learning guitar or another instrument at the end of that time.
Just because you choose piano does not mean that you actually have to buy an acoustic piano for your living room. In the beginning (approximately the first 9 months of study), a digital keyboard works fine. If you are not sure your child is going to commit to learning an instrument in the long term, then minimum investment with a keyboard is the way to go.
How do you select a keyboard or digital piano? First of all, it must have touch-sensitive or weighted keys. This means that the weight of your fingers, soft or hard, determines whether the sound is loud or soft. For example, the harder the strike, the louder the volume of the sound. This is essential!
Second, the keyboard needs to have at least 61 full-size keys; 78 are better. Digital pianos come with two pedals which will become necessary after about 9 months of study. (A full keyboard on an acoustic piano will have 88 keys and three pedals.)
Full-size keys, number of keys and touch-sensitive keys are a minimum requirement; and will get you through the first few months of study with little initial investment. All the other “bells and whistles” are fun but not important. The digital advantage is that you do not have to call the piano tuner. The disadvantage is that the touch is not as responsive as on an acoustic piano.
Some reliable names in keyboards or digital pianos are Casio, Yamaha, Alesis, Roland and Kurtzweil. You can also find good prices at Costco, Walmart and Sam’s Club. Other places in Austin, TX are Capital Music and Guitar Center.
Often, your local music store will match a price you find online. I have had a long-standing relationship with Capital Music here in Austin, TX. They go out of their way to see that my students are satisfied and get what they need. This is something to consider when shopping for a piano teacher.
Capital Music offers digital and acoustic piano rentals with exceptional prices and term