When our kids were studying music, our piano was right in the living room, along with the TV. The rule was always that practice took priority over TV. Their horns and strings they could practice anywhere - their rooms, if they wanted - but usually they practiced in the LR, where everyone else was. We have six kids, so sometimes it was chaotic, but it worked for us.

Ours was a small upright piano, not a nice fine yamaha. But one of our kids is a professional musician now, plays the piano and trombone, and his 7 yo dtr is learning on our old piano now. All the kids still play piano now and then and are glad they can, but only one still plays his horn or strings.

So....I think kids will practice if they are interested in what they are playing. Even my pro son hated practicing unless he was interested in the music. Now he has Master's Degrees in performance and composing. And he still has to make himself practice every day.

One of my kids cannot read music despite many years of lessons. He has perfect pitch and can play a song perfectly with great style after he hears it a time or two. It makes my pro son want to wring his little brother's neck sometimes!

We had better results just letting their music teachers lean on the kids than nagging them to practice every day. We never set aside specific times for practice (or homework, either, for that matter.) Sounds to me like your son will love playing the piano, even if it isn't every day.

Sherrmann, thanks for your input. So you had the piano in the same room as the tv. That is one of the things I am thinking through. In the family room (where our tv is) I could be in the kitchen and still see and hear him and I know he would like that. If it goes in the living room dh would be happier and there would be fewer distractions but I know he would want me to be there with him.

I am thinking you are considering lessons of some kind. You might ask the piano teacher for some recommendations.

Our younger son took piano lessons for 9 years, from 3 grade on, as well as studied the cello. The piano he learned on was an inexpensive Cable that was my grandparents, built in 1956. It isnâÂÂt great, but it served the purpose and the piano tuner was always able to tune it to a 440 A, which means it tuned up just fine.

Unless you are sure that he is going to play for a long time, I wouldnâÂÂt worry about getting the best piano made, and you might be able to find something that is just fine at a school sale or even asking around your friends and neighbors.

There is nothing more magical that watching kids discover themselves through music. Older DS just finished his masterâÂÂs in education, his bachelorâÂÂs in music, a string guy (violist, primarily), but qualified to teach band and general music as well. He LOVES teaching, and is hunting for a full-time position, preferably teaching orchestra. But he has been subbing a lot. Younger DS is a history major, but continues to play the cello in the university orchestra, because it is a part of his soul.

The piano is in what was our dining room, and became the computer/music room. The cello also got practiced here, but older DS preferred to practice the viola in his room. And sherrmann is right - my kids still donâÂÂt love practicing, not even the music educator who knows how important it is! LOL

It is wonderful that you are encouraging that interest.

Thanks Les. My DS has been taking lessons (piano and flute) since last spring. At that time I wasn't sure if he would like it since he has sensory issues and noise is a problem. His piano teacher seems to think he is gifted but I don't see any passion. Maybe that will come, maybe not. I am not planning on getting an expensive piano but I do want something that looks nice and plays well. From a purely decorating perspective, if I had the $$$ I'd get a baby grand if this is going in the living room.

It is so great to read about successful, musical kids. Love it!

How wonderful that you're encouraging your son's love of music. I wish you well in your search for a piano. I studied piano for around 8 years when I was younger (from around 7 until I hit the terrible mid-teens and basically threw many opportunities out the window) and played the cello for 3 years while I was in junior high. My parents bought a used upright that was kept in the living room. It provided us many evenings of social interraction and just plain fun. The piano is still my favorite instrument to listen to.

His piano teacher seems to think he is gifted but I don't see any passion."

Passion is not always visible to the observer ;o)