Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The main difference is that parents who play instruments know that the kid has to practice a lot to be good. Parents that do not have a background in music think that they can send their kids to lessons one day per week and they will learn to play.

Weird take.

Not really. If you ask piano or violin teachers, they will tell you most of their students don't practice and they are not good. They will accept your payments though.

This definitely not true of the top-level music teachers (i.e. those who are selective about the students they take, who weed out students/parents, have students at the most elite levels, etc.). And these teachers are going to be the ones that attract parents who were musicians themselves.

I am the only musician in my family (piano and voice). Neither of my parents, nor any of my siblings, have any musical inclinations at all. My parents did encourage me to keep taking lessons, and were enthusiastic about attending concerts/recitals, though.

Sure kids can become first generation musicians. It’s about exposing kids to music and supporting it as needed (reminding them to practice, showing up for performances, etc.). Its no different than sports, school, or any other interest.

I don’t know about “becoming a musician” but my teens play music and are good enough to be in our city’s junior symphony.

I don’t play music at all. But I started them in piano at around 5 then they switched to different instruments around 9-10. I would just tell them to practice, that was my extend of involvement. I’m sure having musical parents helps a lot though. Sometimes when they were young they would have difficulty reading the music to practice and I wasn’t able to offer help. But they eventually got the hang of it

Most people I know who are professional musicians don't have parents who are professional musicians. It's a hard life.

Yes, parental experience plays a large role in what children take up as hobbies or professions. Surely that's well-known, isn't it?

No one played team sports in my family. My children have never played team sports. My in-laws sail and my family rides on horseback. This is what my children have done.

My MIL and I played piano as children. Our children sing and play violin. We're all into classical music, not other sorts of music. My kids prefer classical.

Of course some people start new traditions - more power to them! But often, kids emulate the experience or dreams of one of their parents.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The main difference is that parents who play instruments know that the kid has to practice a lot to be good. Parents that do not have a background in music think that they can send their kids to lessons one day per week and they will learn to play.

Weird take.

Not really. If you ask piano or violin teachers, they will tell you most of their students don't practice and they are not good. They will accept your payments though.

Neither of us is a serious musician, but we love music and understand it. I play a little bit of piano and my husband plays a little bit of oboe. We sang to our daughter from the moment she was born and surrounded her with music classes because we enjoyed them. She asked for piano lessons at 4 and we started her with Suzuki. She picked up violin at age 5. Now at 18, she's studying music at college as a second major, plays viola in the orchestra and continues private piano lessons. She can get around on ukelele, guitar, and drums in addition to violin, viola, and piano. She's not planning to do anything with her music major other than enjoy it. She taught private lessons during COVID and thinks she'll pick that up again over the summer.

No one in our family is as musically competent as she is. So I guess she's a first generation musician. But she also had a 4.95 w GPA in an IB magnet program plus dances 4-6x a week. She's a kid who likes to be busy and do stuff.

Anonymous wrote:The main difference is that parents who play instruments know that the kid has to practice a lot to be good. Parents that do not have a background in music think that they can send their kids to lessons one day per week and they will learn to play.

Weird take.

DH and I have no musical background. In 8th grade, DC wanted to drop their sport to play music (limited exposure to band in 7th and 8th).

We bought the inexpensive instrument and thought it would be a short-lived hobby.

Four years later, DC plays 3 instruments (now much more expensive) and writes and produces their own music. Completely self-driven and music how they spend all their free time. 🤷‍♀️

The main difference is that parents who play instruments know that the kid has to practice a lot to be good. Parents that do not have a background in music think that they can send their kids to lessons one day per week and they will learn to play.

I think they can. Parents who play know how to guide re: finding a suitable teacher, recognizing student passion. Same parents likely push their kids initially, then many realize no lasting musical interest exists. No real harm usually. The student has been exposed when kids of nonmusical parents will probably not be exposed to the same extent.

Musical parents appreciate a fine quality instrument and are more willing to pay - not buy a piece of crap and say, "let's have the kid start with this before buying a good quality instrument." A better quality instrument matters. It's also easier to play.

While I think musical parents tend to prioritize music in their children, kids can definitely be the first in the family to love music. Strong school music programs can help.

Yes a kid often can

do kids who play music have parents who play music?

Or can a kid become a "first generation" musician?