Yes, kid is practicing every day and actually we do it mid-morning so it goes way better than when we were in regular school. Before we were trying to get it done in evenings after I got home and we had dinner or she did it on her own in the afternoon but clearly gave it short shrift. Now I can take some time and she can be relaxed about it and do it when she feels like it. Much better all around and more enjoyable.

Anonymous wrote:My 9 year old practices every day as part of her “chores.” She doesn’t get privileges unless her chores are done.
Just make it a non-negotiable. Encourage her by setting weekly recital dates for her to show off. The whole family sits at attention and claps profusely. Do whatever it takes to motivate her. WTF else does she have to do right now??!!

Why? I'm the PP above with one kid who practices and one who doesn't. My kid who practices does it because he loves it. I might remind once in a while, but if I had to "do whatever it takes" I wouldn't.

My other kid, wanted to try, signed up for school band, and discovered he doesn't like it. So, now he's quitting and next fall he won't play.

Anonymous wrote: I can get him to complete his school work no problem, but anything beyond that just isn’t happening.

We're seeing the reverse.

Musical genius child practicing more. Child who does it because it’s required at school has not touched the instrument in weeks.

16-year old DD is practicing more than before. In fact since I have more time as well we're playing together every day. Facetime lessons are going well because DD can take the lead in telling the teacher what her technical problems are.

Nope. My 9-year-old doesn't go near the piano. His piano teacher is on spring break for another week (2 weeks total). We'll see how it is when they return to Zoom lessons. Things are stressful enough right now; I'm not pushing it.

My 9 year old practices every day as part of her “chores.” She doesn’t get privileges unless her chores are done.
Just make it a non-negotiable. Encourage her by setting weekly recital dates for her to show off. The whole family sits at attention and claps profusely. Do whatever it takes to motivate her. WTF else does she have to do right now??!!

Yes, DDs have been much, much more consistent the last few weeks. We’re always home in the evenings now, other activities have been canceled, there’s no homework, and few other distractions. I was just thinking today that they’ve all improved by leaps and bounds just over the last few weeks and that’s a silver lining for us in all of this.

8yo is in her second year of violin and has actually improved her technique since we've all been home. We've done a couple of Facetime lessons, and she seems to like them well enough (and her instructor is really great; very kind and patient).

She only practices 15-20 minutes daily, at the end of the day, but we listen to the Suzuki songs more, so maybe that's it.

Anonymous wrote:I mean, for a 9 year old, the practice should just be 15 minutes or so a day. Can you bribe your child into that?

Not necessarily. 15 minutes is just enough for a casual beginner.

Yes. 11 year old still practices 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. It is one bit of normalcy in a sea of unstructured time. And his Zoom lessons have actually been pretty great.

10 year old DS plays one regularly, the other less so. I don’t require daily practice and finds he picks them up and gets about two hours of one and 3-4 of other per week. I’m fine with that.

Yes, although not every day. DD plays baritone in the school band and is continuing private lessons via Facetime. DS plays guitar and his teacher isn't offering remote lessons so he just plays on his own. Generally every couple days when he gets bored with TV/gaming.

I mean, for a 9 year old, the practice should just be 15 minutes or so a day. Can you bribe your child into that?

More than before.