"I want to find out if little kids can do music," my 6 year niece, Ashlyn, said. Starting children on a musical instrument at a very young age is not only an acceptable action, but also a healthy hobby for the child. If a child is even just somewhat interested in music, then the parents should take action and start them on private lessons. If musical talent runs in the family, then the parents should also take action in order to encourage the child's interest in music. No age is too young where the parents couldn’t start them on an instrument.
For example, the parents of a two year old child who enjoys listening to them play music and who likes to mess around on an instrument should pay for private lessons for their child. If the child decides that he/she does not like music after years of trying, then he/she should try to find another hobby.
Nevertheless, I believe that the parents should try to keep the children playing until they are a teenager, and then he/she can choose whether to drop music. The reason for this strict and harsh rule is that if the child starts their first instrument at age 8 like I did, then they will always be behind those who started younger. They will start their second instrument a few years later, and by then many have already been playing that instrument for years.
When I have rehearsal for the Richmond Youth Orchestra Program, I look at the nine year old cellist in my orchestra among the rest of us and I hope that my children get to be as excelled as she is. The only way for a nine year old to be able to play in an advanced orchestra is for their parents to have them start at a very young age. If you let years pass by without learning, you will never be able to get them back. You will always have wasted years where you could have been just that much better. Anybody can quit after one decides one does not like music, but no one can make up for lost years.
