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How To Get The Most Out of Your Lessons
(And Your Child To Practice)
The age-old struggle; “I can’t get my child to practice!” (Or sometimes, I can’t get myself to practice). Teachers hear it every week, parents get the daily argument that comes with it, and EVERY ONE who takes music lessons will one day regret not practicing more.
So the question is - what do we do about it? Do we quit so we can avoid the discomfort all together? Do we force our children to practice, and risk damaging relationships and ruining musical futures? Do we let our students just go with the flow and hope they pick it up on their own?
I’m going to suggest that the answer to all of those questions is a resounding NO!
I am a firm believer that everybody has musical talent - as buried, or seemingly non-existent as it may feel. It is not impossible! No matter your age, musical advantages, or previous exposure to music, there are none without hope!
So what do we do?
Let’s go through 5 methods that you can apply today!
1. SET GOALS - Get your child (or yourself) to set a regular practice goal. The ideal practice situation is a little bit every day (or every day they’re able). If they’re loving it - then a lot every day. And then help them stick to it. If they’re particularly stubborn about practicing it might be because they haven’t gotten ‘the vision’ yet, and that can take time. Start with one song, or even 5 good minutes every day, and as they improve they’ll get more excited. Sometimes in the process of teaching, a teacher may accidentally assign something that’s too difficult. Be open with your teachers, if a piece is too difficult, and it really is draining the enjoyment out of learning, don’t be afraid to ask for something a little less challenging (but of course a little challenge is always important!).
2. PREPARE TO PERFORM! - Performing can be a scary thought. There’s a reason that there are more people in the world who fear public speaking than people who fear dying! Our recitals are safe, and fun! When practice has a purpose (such as acing the next recital!) then learning accelerates, and lessons become more meaningful. And that brings a lot of satisfaction.
3. LISTEN TO MUSIC - I can’t tell you how many students I get that come in excited to learn the guitar, piano, drums, or whatever, and when I ask what kind of music they like they have no idea. So I ask what kind of music their parents like, and they have even less of an idea! You don't have to know hundreds of bands and songs to learn music, but you need to know at least one song that you enjoy. Encourage yourself, or your child, to like music. Listen to music in the car or at home. Find songs you like, and songs you don’t like, and make a list. With this info, your teacher will know exactly what to do to get you learning and having fun!
4. PATIENCE - Some of us love music from day one, and some of us see our lessons like a chore that just has to be done. There are some concepts that will be learned immediately in the lesson, and there are some things that will take weeks or months to master. As a parent, be patient and supportive. Encourage the kind of practice we talked about in number 1. Emphasize accomplishments, and encourage practice, and remember that music is a life long pursuit. People ask, “How long will it take to learn xyz?” The answer, “The rest of your life!” But we’ll take it one week at a time. The worst thing you could do is shame and bully your child for not practicing. I’ve never seen a child who's berated by their parents practice more. They just develop self-esteem issues, and eventually quit.
5. AND FINALLY... TO BE PRESENT - That doesn’t necessarily mean sit in on the lessons. In fact, that makes most kids pretty nervous. Not all though, so make sure to ask. But be present in their musical education. Not every child-parent relationship is perfect, but I have seen families bond over a shared love for music. Even if you know nothing at all (which makes this even better) ask them about their lessons. Ask them what they’re enjoying, ask them what’s difficult, ask them what they’re learning, and what they hope to learn. It’s a simple conversation - but if you’re present in their education, they’re more likely to practice. They might even want to learn songs you like so they can play them for you! Talking about what we love without judgement is a huge self-affirmation of who we are, so be available for your children to share their learning with you. The most important part is not to force it, if you’re child doesn’t like to talk about specifics, then it would obviously be best to respect that. But let them know you’re invested in this process. It’s not a punishment or a luxury, but a necessity, and an important part of their life.
In Conclusion...
These are just 5 simple tips that you can apply to your own practicing, or to the practice of your children. Contrary to the belief of some, music is for EVERYONE. If we can set realistic and personalized goals, practice with an objective in mind, familiarize ourselves with what music is, have patience that our hard work will ABSOLUTELY pay off, and then for parents - be present in the process, we will have a skill that we will carry through the rest of our lives. Music is an incredible thing. It’s difficult! But it’s worth every second of practice.
The fact of the matter is - we are all different. No two teachers teach the same, no two students learn the same, and no two musicians have the same experience. But the good news is that there are still universal truths that if applied, followed, and adapted, you or your child will have a positive musical experience. One full of progress, and joy! Sounds super cheesy, I know. But it’s art and art’s kind of flowery by nature.
The last tip is work with your teacher - our teachers here are dedicated to not just creating musical geniuses, but first and foremost helping you love your instrument. If you have questions or concerns, or feel your instrument or teacher isn’t a good match for you, please talk to our office staff and we’ll do our very best to help you find a teacher who will compliment your learning style, or an instrument that you will love, and get you moving forward!
GOOD LUCK!
James Zeck
Director of Lethbridge Music Academy
Life Long Musician
So the question is - what do we do about it? Do we quit so we can avoid the discomfort all together? Do we force our children to practice, and risk damaging relationships and ruining musical futures? Do we let our students just go with the flow and hope they pick it up on their own?
I’m going to suggest that the answer to all of those questions is a resounding NO!
I am a firm believer that everybody has musical talent - as buried, or seemingly non-existent as it may feel. It is not impossible! No matter your age, musical advantages, or previous exposure to music, there are none without hope!
So what do we do?
Let’s go through 5 methods that you can apply today!
1. SET GOALS - Get your child (or yourself) to set a regular practice goal. The ideal practice situation is a little bit every day (or every day they’re able). If they’re loving it - then a lot every day. And then help them stick to it. If they’re particularly stubborn about practicing it might be because they haven’t gotten ‘the vision’ yet, and that can take time. Start with one song, or even 5 good minutes every day, and as they improve they’ll get more excited. Sometimes in the process of teaching, a teacher may accidentally assign something that’s too difficult. Be open with your teachers, if a piece is too difficult, and it really is draining the enjoyment out of learning, don’t be afraid to ask for something a little less challenging (but of course a little challenge is always important!).
2. PREPARE TO PERFORM! - Performing can be a scary thought. There’s a reason that there are more people in the world who fear public speaking than people who fear dying! Our recitals are safe, and fun! When practice has a purpose (such as acing the next recital!) then learning accelerates, and lessons become more meaningful. And that brings a lot of satisfaction.
3. LISTEN TO MUSIC - I can’t tell you how many students I get that come in excited to learn the guitar, piano, drums, or whatever, and when I ask what kind of music they like they have no idea. So I ask what kind of music their parents like, and they have even less of an idea! You don't have to know hundreds of bands and songs to learn music, but you need to know at least one song that you enjoy. Encourage yourself, or your child, to like music. Listen to music in the car or at home. Find songs you like, and songs you don’t like, and make a list. With this info, your teacher will know exactly what to do to get you learning and having fun!
4. PATIENCE - Some of us love music from day one, and some of us see our lessons like a chore that just has to be done. There are some concepts that will be learned immediately in the lesson, and there are some things that will take weeks or months to master. As a parent, be patient and supportive. Encourage the kind of practice we talked about in number 1. Emphasize accomplishments, and encourage practice, and remember that music is a life long pursuit. People ask, “How long will it take to learn xyz?” The answer, “The rest of your life!” But we’ll take it one week at a time. The worst thing you could do is shame and bully your child for not practicing. I’ve never seen a child who's berated by their parents practice more. They just develop self-esteem issues, and eventually quit.
5. AND FINALLY... TO BE PRESENT - That doesn’t necessarily mean sit in on the lessons. In fact, that makes most kids pretty nervous. Not all though, so make sure to ask. But be present in their musical education. Not every child-parent relationship is perfect, but I have seen families bond over a shared love for music. Even if you know nothing at all (which makes this even better) ask them about their lessons. Ask them what they’re enjoying, ask them what’s difficult, ask them what they’re learning, and what they hope to learn. It’s a simple conversation - but if you’re present in their education, they’re more likely to practice. They might even want to learn songs you like so they can play them for you! Talking about what we love without judgement is a huge self-affirmation of who we are, so be available for your children to share their learning with you. The most important part is not to force it, if you’re child doesn’t like to talk about specifics, then it would obviously be best to respect that. But let them know you’re invested in this process. It’s not a punishment or a luxury, but a necessity, and an important part of their life.
In Conclusion...
These are just 5 simple tips that you can apply to your own practicing, or to the practice of your children. Contrary to the belief of some, music is for EVERYONE. If we can set realistic and personalized goals, practice with an objective in mind, familiarize ourselves with what music is, have patience that our hard work will ABSOLUTELY pay off, and then for parents - be present in the process, we will have a skill that we will carry through the rest of our lives. Music is an incredible thing. It’s difficult! But it’s worth every second of practice.
The fact of the matter is - we are all different. No two teachers teach the same, no two students learn the same, and no two musicians have the same experience. But the good news is that there are still universal truths that if applied, followed, and adapted, you or your child will have a positive musical experience. One full of progress, and joy! Sounds super cheesy, I know. But it’s art and art’s kind of flowery by nature.
The last tip is work with your teacher - our teachers here are dedicated to not just creating musical geniuses, but first and foremost helping you love your instrument. If you have questions or concerns, or feel your instrument or teacher isn’t a good match for you, please talk to our office staff and we’ll do our very best to help you find a teacher who will compliment your learning style, or an instrument that you will love, and get you moving forward!
GOOD LUCK!
James Zeck
Director of Lethbridge Music Academy
Life Long Musician
