What is the best way to teach my 5 year old son piano?

I have a 5 year old son that I would like to learn the piano. I'm 25 and have played since I was 5 or 6 ... I know how to sight read and understand musical theory. I researched the Suzuki method, and I agree in it with some principles, but I think it fails in some as well (particularly sight reading). I have a grand and a digital piano, I was thinking of color coding the notes of C major, and writing out the colored notes on staff to songs of his liking. I don't want him to feel forced, or like practicing should be a chore, so I really only want to focus on him learning songs he likes right now. Should I insist on good hand positioning, or just let him peck the notes for now so as not to frustrate him with mechanics?

What is the best way to teach my 5 year old son piano?
I would suggest sending your child to a teacher (someone other than you as a parent...) I have degrees in piano and music education, I teach music for a profession, I have four children of my own, but I do not give them lessons myself. I have encouraged all of our children to play musical instruments, but when the time came, I took them to another teacher (even though I have the technical skill to teach them myself). If you want to avoid frustration and resentment, and if you want your son to find the same joy in music that you have obviously found, take him to a teacher and then play along with him at home. This way, you get to show him the fun part of it all, and you don't become the meanie who is "making him do this". This has definitely worked for us - and we both are music teachers by trade...but we also recognize that our children respond better to another person teaching them.
Reply:I recommend not teaching him yourself. I justthink it's better if it comes from a "teacher". If you can't afford it, then I do encourage you to teach him in anyway possible because it's a great skill, one that I'm very glad my parents forced on me. Outside of that, expose him. Play at home, and maybe teacher him a simple song like "Heart and Soul" so you guys can play together and have fun. Enthusiasm will help him get into it.
Reply:Play the Piano yourself in the Home -


expose him to it daily


integrate songs he can sing to and then invite him to "help" you by playing some of the song.





Ignite the passion for music with by involving him in the discovery process
Reply:i teach my little sister piano and i use bribes sometimes to push her to do better. everytime she plays well i award her stickers and they can add up to buy something. try having him play simple disney tunes that he knows. that helps a lot with motivation. if he doesn't know how to read music well yet, sneak some flash card work with normal activities.