What age should students begin to study the piano?

Often parents ask me the question, "At what age should my son/daughter begin to play the piano."  Bear in mind that I began to play the piano at such a young age, that I do not actually remember my first lesson.  However, I am always reluctant to suggest a specific age for when a pupil should or should not start.

Obviously, the younger a person is when they begin, then the greater the chance that their technique will develop into great talent.  However, the more important question for me is, "How badly does the student want to play the piano?"

Personal motivation on the part of the student will carry them much further than anything else, and I always look to develop and nurture a deep passion for music in my students.  And I do feel that, regardless of age, no student should be pressured into playing any musical instrument. This often only causes negative feelings and resentment of music and the piano.