Reply to Is it possible to play a string instrument recreationally these days?

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[quote=Anonymous]The music teacher above has some great suggestions so I'll just sort of add on based on my own experience. I played a string instrument quite seriously for most of my childhood, starting at 4 years old. By 16-ish I knew I didn't want to do music professionally but like your DD most of my friends were from orchestra, and I did enjoy the two orchestras I played in. I hated theory exams, solo competitions, and was no longer okay with the amount of practice time I was being told was necessary.

-Ask her what she wants out of music, this is the most important. How often does she want to play? Does she want to be able to join more experienced orchestras, or is she happy playing at home? Does she prefer quartet or orchestra? Does she have any interest in looking outside classical music? Does she want to major in music in college and become a musician? Does she want to be able to teach a bit on the side? Does she want to get to a certain ABRSM or RCM grade level? What role does she think she'd like to have music play in her life when she is older?

-Have a frank conversation with her and the teacher based on the first point. If the teacher can not adapt to meet the goals your daughter has set both short term and long term, you should find a new teacher.

-Reduce the number of obligations she has if she isn't enjoying it. Consider going from weekly to biweekly lessons, or setting goals that can be met with less time practicing (i.e. 30 mins per day vs 1-2+ hours)

-Facilitate exploring ways to make music fun, like taking a class to learn new styles of music and joining a non-classical 'band' or group, or even just a more relaxed quartet of kids at a similar level, or even cutting way back on the string instrument and learning a new instrument to branch out and make it fun again.[/quote]

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