10 Tips for non-piano playing parents
Do you feel lost when it comes to helping your child practice at home? Are you one of those who feel as though you can't carry a tune in a bucket or you shy away from singing? These are honest concerns, but it doesn't have to be that way. If you don't know a quarter note from a quarter in your wallet, let me assure you that THERE IS A WAY. Parents have the tools necessary to help their children learn how to play music. If you taught them how to tie their shoes, how to read, and how to ride a bike (well, ask me about how I taught my son to ride a bike!) YOU CAN HELP. I did not grow up in a musical family. My parents were not in choir and no one was active in music. I even taught myself the beginnings of piano playing before my parents ever bought me a piano...and oh, I was so happy! Here are 10 things Non-Piano Playing Parents can do to accelerate their child's piano learning:
- Actively listen to music as a family. Whether it's in the car or at home, search on YouTube or iTunes (or your equivalent) for the kind of music your child is learning to play AND music you would like to hear them play someday. Be sure to listen to piano music since this is their main instrument. Listen to music while making dinner, cleaning the house, getting ready for school , relaxing on the weekend. Listen to music as much as possible!
- Make practice like brushing teeth. You wouldn't let your child start and end his day without brushing his teeth, right? Of course not! Brushing teeth is a habit and something you insist upon. Practicing piano is the same thing. If you make piano practice a priority and a non-negotiable, so will your child.
- Learn to say the word AGAIN. Listen carefully when your child practices. When they finish, tell them to play it AGAIN. One more time. On the high keys this time. Softer. Louder. With gusto. If your ears hear something a little off, they're probably accurate, so - AGAIN. You may not be a musician, but you ARE a music listener and your ears know when something's not right. Tell them to keep working on it (slower, check the fingering, one hand at a time, check the notes, check the rhythm,...) or just say AGAIN.
- Use the teacher's words. Take time to read any instructions the teacher has written in your child's assignment notebook or email, or on the music itself, and repeat those words to your child.
- Be inquisitive. Ask your child questions about what she is playing. If you see something circled or written in the music, ask your child what it means and why that is circled or written in there. It's OK if you don't know the answer. You are trying to get your child to think about the answer.
- Praise out loud. Let your child hear you complimenting their musical gifts in public, about how well they are playing or how diligently they are practicing.
- Be on time to lessons. Always be on time to lessons. This lets your child know that piano is important. It also gives your child the much needed time with the teacher. If you are 10 minutes late for a 30 minute lesson, your child has likely missed important concepts that were scheduled to be taught which translates to slower progress and possible chaos during the lesson due to rushing. It creates a frustrated student and a frustrated teacher who both just want to make you proud.
- Be consistent. Continuous learning is the difference between students who progress quickly and students who are stagnant or are always playing below expectations. Children who continue lessons throughout the summer and participate in piano camp do better. If your child takes off lessons in the summer and does not return to lessons until September, your child is losing about 6 months of learning due to the time taken off and the skills lost, and trying to regain, during that time off.
- Make your child pay for lessons. I don't mean that you should have your child pay the teacher money for lessons - that is your job. Your child's job is to provide you with FREE ENTERTAINMENT. Once they have completed several days of practice, AND BEFORE THEIR NEXT LESSON, set aside a specific day to have your child give you an at-home concert every week. Some children like to make little programs on slips of paper: "The One Piece Recital" (or "The Three Piece Recital", depending on the number of pieces they know how to play). Do "recitals" whenever friends and relatives drop in, too. Your child may come to expect that every time dinner is over with grandma and grandpa, he has to play for them, so always be prepared for these performances.
- Act CRAZY! Yes, crazy. Crazy means making your child practice when other kids are playing games. Crazy means insisting on practice even if they're crying. Crazy means not letting them get away with saying they don't have anything to practice. Crazy means expecting them to do better. Crazy means driving them to a place that has a piano if you're somewhere that doesn't have one. Crazy means signing them up for opportunities to perform at school, scouts, and church. Crazy means signing them up for summer piano camp and scheduling your vacation around that camp. Crazy means asking hotel staff if your child can play the hotel piano during your stay there. Crazy means letting your child know that quitting is not an option and that they must "play to stay" in your house (if they want to quit, they can quit once they move out). Crazy means doing whatever works to help them learn piano. You may be crazy, but your kids will know how to play piano.
thanks, mom and dad
I am thankful for the time my parents spent driving me to piano lessons and for investing financially and emotionally in my musical pursuits. I'm sure I didn't always express my thankfulness to my parents when I was younger, but as I became older, it was evident that music was making a difference. Whether your kids are not quite mature enough to say 'Thank you' right now, I am saying it for them: you are appreciated, you are making it happen for them, and it is you who they will (one day) express that gratitude in ways you didn't expect. Keep music alive in your home and keep encouraging your child to practice! pianoparents.net/thanks-mom-and-dad-10-reasons-your-child-is-thankful-for-piano-lessons/
15 things parents need to know
If you're a parent with no musical background, don't worry! You're still the best secret weapon in your child's musical arsenal. Elissa Milne - pianist, composer, conductor, TV producer and editor, and keynote speaker at music conferences - has written a useful article for parents of piano students in their 1st - 4th years. https://elissamilne.wordpress.com/2014/09/10/15-things-you-need-to-know-about-supporting-your-child-learning-to-play-the-piano/ I hope you enjoy her writings as much as I do!
Parents - the secret weapon
Parents don't have to be musical to play the most important role in their child's musical success. Your child just needs you to be there. Elissa is one of my favorite teachers, composers, and bloggers. After reading this article, I hope you'll see why I like her so much.
https://elissamilne.wordpress.com/2014/09/10/15-things-you-need-to-know-about-supporting-your-child-learning-to-play-the-piano/
https://elissamilne.wordpress.com/2014/09/10/15-things-you-need-to-know-about-supporting-your-child-learning-to-play-the-piano/
10 things you should do before your child begins lessons
Elissa Milne, an accomplished teacher, composer, and author from Australia, is back with a list of 10 things you should do before your child begins piano lessons. https://elissamilne.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/10-things-you-should-do-before-your-child-begins-piano-lessons/
when is a good age to start lessons?
As a piano teacher, this is a question I am asked a lot. The answer is, "It depends on the child. Some are ready at 5 years old. Others aren't ready until 8 years old." Parents have to be ready, too, because it's a commitment for the whole family. You'll find 8 signs that your child is ready for piano here: http://www.andnextcomesl.com/2014/06/starting-piano-lessons-when-is-child.html