my sons, aged 6 and 7 are learning to play the piano, as time progresses i have noticed that the older one seems to display some lack of interest, he initialy would not attempt new pieces but has overcome that now. he younger one seems well adjusted, plays just as well as his younger (competitive) brother who reads the notes better and points out mistakes when his brother plays. i am wondering , is this affecting his confidence, i felt a bit of competition is good. but it looks as if the older one now thinks he is not good enough. we practice everyday together, may be i should have different times for them to practice so prevent negative comments
has anyone experience similar issues?

As a teacher, I do encounter with this from time to time. I used different books and meterials for each child as a rule. Yes, the younger one happens to be moving ahead / musical / intelligent etc, all affect the older child's confidence.

Your children are still quite young; if in the future, they would like to learn another instruments, then you may steer towards 2 different instruments. However, the piano teaches SO MUCH, I think the both children should stick to it. You should speak to your children's piano teacher to see if alternative method / book can be found for one of the children.

Of course, it would also be great if they can play a duet together.

hero

Most of the siblings I teach are not as close in age as the two you have so it is not a big issue, and in fact the younger one is pleased to use books that their big brother or sister has had.

However, my husband and his older brother were only about 2 years apart in age and both started the piano, but my husband, the younger one moved on by leaps and bounds and the older brother gave up in the end because presumably he felt the competition was too keen. He subsequently learnt another instrument, which indicates that he's quite musical. Perhaps the competition could be affecting your older son.

hi as a twin i have had this not with learning an instrument but a career my sister is the best hairdresser in the world where i really struggled and chose not to contine i did start a year later than my sister as i went to sixth form college first so we were not in the same classses. so i can see how the older child might feel if youger brother finds it a breeze and he doesnt as much. a duet sounds a lovely idea and the piano is a brillant instrument to learn

hope all works out

an instrument that could be accompanied by the piano would be good for both children

As a parent I've had this situation with the girls where the younger one learns much quicker than the older one. It's simply one is more musical than the other.

The eldest has begun to doubt herself (she's 15). I've tried to explain that she is a good musician and shouldn't try to compare herself with her sister (nearly 13). It's hard though.

Have you thought of asking the older one if they would like to learn another/other instrument. It might help give them more confidence to not be feeling in competition.

I took both boys to a music school opening recently, where they were able to play/experiment on different instruments. They both only wanted to play the piano. so i have stuck with it. However, I discussed this with the music teacher - and we have decided to use different books for both of them, i wonder if they should play different kind - i mean one could learn the classical or jazzy , i dont know really, we could try different books for the time being and if it is still a problem , then we may like try to get him on someting else. he does like to play the drums but the african drums only could just be nothing, never know really.

Parenting just isn't easy and it often leaves me confused especially if I have to make the decisions. Thankfully as both mine are teenagers I'm put in that position less these days.

If you look back at some old threads you will see that some of the teachers have used different books for two pupils in simlar situations to yours. Chances are though if it's not the piano they will be competing at soemthing else

Good luck whatever you decide.

Me and my brother both played clarinet since we were 6/7, and always played the same pieces, did the same exams at the same time, even had joint lessons We were totally fine. Now i think about it, i can't believe how non-competative we were. I mean, there was a little... but not much.

My brother and sister both learned the piano consecutively, and though my brother (younger than my sister) was better (playing concertos and other crazy stuff), we thought my sister had just given up on it, but she is now accompanying, played the piano for her university production etc..

It's all good.