It’s never too late to start, and by all accounts is very good for our aging brains. Those of us who teach have had beginners in their 20s, 30s, 40s and even in their 70s! Learn more about the benefits of learning a stringed instrument. We are often asked by older people if they have left it too late. If it’s something you’re passionate about and can invest time in most days (even if it’s just 15 minutes) why not?

Many adults take up a musical instrument. Often it’s when their children are a bit older and you have time to do something for yourself, or you’re an adult who would like to re-start. The most frequently asked question from adults at Simply for Strings is this - have I left it too late? And our answer? It’s never too late to start. There are hundreds of music appreciation groups for small children around the country that will give your child an excellent start to their musical journey before progressing to a double bass. The best thing you can do to get the ball rolling is expose your small child to music and see where it takes them. Get your kids into bass lessons if that’s what they want, but be aware that pre-Grade 1 children may not be able to focus well enough yet, and don’t turn them off music by pushing them too hard, too soon. If your child is showing an enquiring mind earlier, then great!” When I taught in independent schools most of my beginners were in Grade 1, but there the groups were no bigger than two students in a lesson.Īs a private music teacher, I find children more able to apply themselves from Grade 1 or 2 in an individual session. Many independent schools opt to have a strings immersion programme in Grade 1 or 2, and it works extremely well for them. This also works well for group lessons with an ensemble focus. This works very well for us in QLD, because generally by Grade 3 we find most children have better attention and retention. “The Education Department in Queensland has set the standard at primary school Grade 3 for stringed instruments and Grade 4 for wind and brass.

Thoughts from cellist, private teacher and former Education Queensland teacher, Michael: Perhaps they simply aren’t ready! Some teachers in our team have experienced this over the years with their students, and they have come back a couple of years later ready to learn.ĭon’t force kids before they are ready - if they start in their own time, they are more likely to enjoy the journey, hence will show better progress as well.

Some children may show a “want” regarding the double bass, but when we try to engage them they show no focus. If the child is eager to learn, and is showing an inquisitiveness, there is more likely to be immediate progress. The guide we recommend looking for is interest. You can start the learning process with a very small bass (1/16 size) at a very young age, however, it’s probably best to wait until 7 or 8 years old because the double bass is such a large instrument. What do we mean by that? You can start the learning process informally from a very early age - eg 3 years old, wait until 5 or 7 if you prefer. This guide is perfect for parents or even adult learners themselves.Ī child should start learning when they are ready. There are so many things to consider when you’re starting a new musical instrument, whether it is the double bass or the clarinet! It can feel a little overwhelming - what age is best to start, what accessories do I need, will I even enjoy this? We’re here to make the start of your musical journey a little easier - we know exactly how you’re feeling and it’s our pleasure to share our advice with you.

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