It's your prerogative as mommy to require 15 to 30 min of musical instrument practice a day. You will not ruin their childhood. You have to adult and do stuff you don't want all day, 15-30 min of piano isn't going to kill DC

I would continue to encourage it - I think practice builds discipline and is a helpful break from screen time. I would just make it clear that they can't do what they want to do (screens, etc) until they practice each day for 10-15 minutes. I agree that if they are not going to practice, the lessons are a giant waste of time and money.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure you can teach someone to carry a tune, but I think musical education is important. Find a kids' choir (church, school, or community center) that is fun and not too formal. Also let your kid pick an instrument, and consider changing teachers to find one who is more engaging.

I agree with the advice to play each assigned piece X times per week. Most kids' music teachers no longer advocate a forced 30 minutes of practice.

???

What is confusing to you?

Unless you are truly tone deaf or have a physical problem, you absolutely can learn to carry a tune.

My DC is now 19. I made them take piano lessons when they were like 8. I pushed them to do it. I tied their electronics time with practice time.

They didn't like piano that much. Most kids hate practicing anything. But, DC was really good at it.

I made a deal that they could quit once they mastered a piece by Beethoven, which they did at 10. They were really good, and it upset me that they quit after that. So much talent.

Today, DC said they regret quitting, and that I should've just kept pushing. grr.

Chorus or musical theater or another instrument.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure you can teach someone to carry a tune, but I think musical education is important. Find a kids' choir (church, school, or community center) that is fun and not too formal. Also let your kid pick an instrument, and consider changing teachers to find one who is more engaging.

I agree with the advice to play each assigned piece X times per week. Most kids' music teachers no longer advocate a forced 30 minutes of practice.

???

What is confusing to you?

I've never forced a kid to do anything

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure you can teach someone to carry a tune, but I think musical education is important. Find a kids' choir (church, school, or community center) that is fun and not too formal. Also let your kid pick an instrument, and consider changing teachers to find one who is more engaging.

I agree with the advice to play each assigned piece X times per week. Most kids' music teachers no longer advocate a forced 30 minutes of practice.

???

All I can say is, if you deem it important, you'll find a way to keep him practice. My son had his struggles, at one point he literally said he wants to quit piano. I just said you can't quit, shut up and practice. Sometimes I use screen time as bribes.

He did drop soccer and swimming. It's the same story of initially enthusiastic and when the practice gets hard, when he saw other people doing it better, he wants to quit. I did let him quit, but made him promise me he'll play piano.

He does have absolute pitch, which impressed his teacher. I decided to push piano because he's probably best at piano than all the things we tried.

Even professional musicians don't like to practice, OP! That is normal and nothing to worry about.

If your child likes music, then they will be OK with you reminding them they have to do practice in order to progress and perform, and the more they perform, the more they will understand what it takes to do even better. If they truly want to stop, they will tell you in so many words. Get them really good teachers! Not the kind that comes to your house - those are bottom of the barrel.

I love classical music. My now adult and teen kids love it too. When they were younger, they were both in the Strathmore Children's Chorus, and one of them has spent years in the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra. Listening to them fill the house with music brings me so much joy, and they get a kick out of performing with their ensembles (the solo recitals are a little more daunting).

Piano is a solitary instrument unless your kid is selected to accompany their choir, band or orchestra. Kids usually prefer to socialize when they play, and therefore a band or orchestra instrument (or choir), will usually make them continue for longer.

Holy shit