How young is too young?

[BruceW]

If someone were to ask how old a child should be before taking up the saxophone, what is a good answer?

I've thought the child should:
1) have their permanent teeth
2) have enough wind to be able to blow up a balloon.

Is this a fair answer?

[Mel]

The development of permanent teeth varies from child to child, so I wouldn't say that this would be a good bench mark. Some children lose all their baby teeth by 9 or 10, and some even at 8, while others still have some baby teeth around age 12.

While physical development is definately important, I'm one of those people that will eternally argue that mental developmet is equally, and perhaps exceedingly, important. If a child is to start music young, I strongly recommend starting on the piano. By learning piano, a child can develop pitch, learn to read both horizontally and vertically, learn to read in both bass and treble clefs, learn melody and harmony, learn to become a good sight-reader...the list goes on.

Back to the original question: How young is too young? I would say that as long as the child can hold the sax without discomfort and has enough concentration to sit and practice and improve, then the child is ready.

[Media Lint]

I got my first sax lesson in 4th grade but I had a year or two of private piano instruction around 1st-2nd grade.

Don't worry about the teeth. Their embouchure will change anyway. Heck, I had braces most of the time I played in school.


I would say that as long as the child can hold the sax without discomfort and has enough concentration to sit and practice and improve, then the child is ready.

Sounds like the right answer. Also, beyond concentration: discipline and enthusiasm. The child should probably express an interest specifically in the saxophone. Otherwise, I'd let them experiment with whatever instrument appeals to them. Probably too young for a sousaphone tho ...