Anonymous wrote:I would let the teen decide as long as it was feasible to bring the instrument and they figured out on their own how to work in practice time.

Requiring your teen to practice on vacation would be some pretty seriously deranged behavior.

Teen is saying that they only want to go to places with pianos. Last year we brought an electric piano to the beach but they are saying that is not an option.

https://www.amazon.com/Blackstar-88-Key-Portable-Keyboard-FOLDPIANO88/dp/B08M1L9KNJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nPkAL5Z68zXQuS-YlbGgWrRZ29mfY_D8JSh4TEpK6THAZERRE2Tx64HcrvVOf8-OAN3yIaF3TVu9mHw7y3ww95KzoIZonf0I0Pi_tjnzu3oUkI7tR-wSYD62_WzfzcwqYjo-LJh8QyZjA_RIYV-0JeYqedZbd1gemCfc94xOzfO5CvNLRw7_eRWboRLUX_w5LCSTcnGScatgmtPvUCA0aQ.UJTM9JpgW7YOdllVYVT5fHyQEFeb83mQK1SCsSiiMqE&dib_tag=se&keywords=piano+practice+keyboard&qid=1738524123&sr=8-4

You need something like this.

Anonymous wrote:Amy Chua, is that you?

I actually laughed out loud. That was perfect!

My violinist used to bring her violin on vacation - the daily practice helped her advance quickly and build good habits. Now she's been playing for 10+ years, she leaves her violin at home. One week isn't going to change the progress she's making on her Sibelius or Khachaturian.

If you can't find a piano, don't worry too much.

As a teen, I used to practice in empty hotel ballrooms and piano stores ( call ahead and ask, usually it was okay because it helped them sell pianos). If we were visiting friends or family, someone always knew someone who had a piano I could use for a couple of hours.

Colleges usually have practice rooms available as well.

Anonymous wrote:My kids’ very intense piano teacher told us about another student who would find pianos in hotel ballrooms and bars to practice on vacation. My kids were not serious pianists and we did not do this.

This is what Amy Chua (tiger mom) made her daughters do.

I would let the teen decide as long as it was feasible to bring the instrument and they figured out on their own how to work in practice time.

Requiring your teen to practice on vacation would be some pretty seriously deranged behavior.

They can also listen to recordings of their pieces and/or bring their music and just practice fingering on a table. It’s not a huge deal to skip a week of practice once or twice a year.

Anonymous wrote:Breaks are actually good for memory consolidation. Just let them take a break.

+1

i am sure a "serious" pianist can miss a week without harm.

Breaks are actually good for memory consolidation. Just let them take a break.

My kid is not a pianist but plays another instrument. He wants to take it on vacation and practice 90 min a day. We allow it when practical but not on all trips (for example not for a ski trip because we are carrying so much stuff already). He took it to Costa Rica and played in the eco lodge.

My kids’ very intense piano teacher told us about another student who would find pianos in hotel ballrooms and bars to practice on vacation. My kids were not serious pianists and we did not do this.

Amy Chua, is that you?

If you or your teen is a serious pianist, what do you do about vacations? Do they practice? If so, where? Take a break? Does that hurt them when they come back?