When Can My Child Begin Voice Lessons?
We hear it all the time: “My kid just loves to sing! When can they start voice lessons?”
And what a great question it is! Here’s the thing though: there really is no clear answer for what age is best.
A Controversial Topic
In fact, it’s actually a pretty commonly debated subject in the world of professional voice teachers. I am constantly seeing the same question asked over and over in voice forums, blogs, Facebook groups etc., and everytime there are hundreds of varying answers.
Why? Well simply put, because singing is a vastly experience different for everyone.
Many voice teachers, myself included, are taught early on in music school that the intense vocal training of voice lessons isn’t age appropriate, and can be potentially dangerous for students younger than middle school. They even go as far to say that it can actually hurt a young singer’s voice. This is because their voice has not developed fully and their muscles are not ready for the vigorous work that private lessons entail. From a science standpoint, it makes sense, and for a long time I was a firm believer in that philosophy.
After about a decade of this though, I started questioning the system:
“If training the voice is dangerous for kids then why do we have kid’s choirs?”
“Isn’t there more to voice lessons than just rigorous vocal training? There’s pitch matching, and note reading, posture and breathwork…”
“There are kids as young as five on Broadway that do perfectly fine with voice coaching.”
I decided to do some digging and lean into the research of some of those vocal coaches who DO take young singers, and it opened up a whole new world of ideas and opinions that I never would’ve experienced back in school.
Approach is as Critical as Age
The consensus? Anyone can learn to sing at any age. It’s HOW you learn to sing that makes the difference.
From a teacher standpoint, it makes so much sense when you approach things with this mindset. Of course intense singing wouldn’t be good for elementary students, just like elementary songs wouldn’t be good for older students. It’s all about the content. Young singers need to first learn how to match pitch before they can learn to sing songs. They need to learn how their voice works, how their breath works, and basic musical concepts like rhythms and note reading, how to sit or stand, or how to listen. Their goal isn’t typically to audition for the top musicals, it’s simply to get to know their voice and have fun doing it! And they can do that by singing simple, age appropriate songs. Who am I to deny that?
So okay what age can they start lessons then? Well. It’s still not that simple. Realistically it’s going to depend on each individual student. Before you go and sign up for voice lessons, ask yourself these questions:
Is a half an hour of one on one instruction going to be a good fit for my child?
Can they sit still and focus for that long?
Can they take instruction and constructive criticism yet, or are they able to be vulnerable?
Can they really be independent in their practice at home?
Will they be confident and comfortable enough to stand up and sing for everyone during a studio recital?
OR, are they more of a social learner? Would something like a Singing Club with friends and singing games be better suited for their attention span and confidence? Would they feel more at ease singing in a group with their friends at concerts or ball games instead of being on stage alone?
What exactly do I want for them to get out of singing? Is my goal for them to sing on stage or professionally? Or is it just for them to do something they love?
What’s The Harmony Garden’s Stance?
When it comes to singing, there are no wrong answers and there are no wrong choices! Just like every grownup is different, every child is too. Also, as they grow and change, your answers to these questions might too, and that’s okay! We are here to help.
As far as our studio goes: For the sake of lessons, we have decided on a minimum age of 8-9 years old for voice lessons. This is mainly because lesson spots are limited, and we really want to make sure that our students feel ready to engage in the way that one on one voice instruction requires. That said, don’t fret! We have other opportunities for your young singer if they are not yet old enough for lessons! Reach out and we are happy to guide you and your kiddo in your singing and musical endeavors to help you find the right fit and to help them hone their love for music.