Stop Practicing the Piano! 4 Things To Do Instead. →

Bloom School of Music and Dance

Many of you have woeful tails of the teacher that slapped your hands with a ruler when you made a mistake, made you sit absolutely still or stand on a mat, insisted you play classical music when all you wanted to do was learn “Let it Be”. 

Our children are feeling some of the backlash of those days.  We want to do the opposite of what was done to us.  Forced to practice as a kid? Then our kids should have full autonomy.  Parents let you quit as soon as you wanted?  Then our kids will know how important it is to stick with it, regardless.

Enter the i-generation.  How can we get the kids of today, who are so comfortable with a device in their hands as early as preschool, to get connected to something that is not immediately gratifying? How do we do this without falling into the traps of our childhood lesson experiences? 

It’s all about creating connection.  Our children need to feel connection with music outside the purview of teacher and parent. They need to own the experience. Whether your child is a beginner, entering the very social time of the 8-10 year old, or buried under tons of homework at age 13, these tips can help them make that lasting, personal connection to their instrument.

  1. On the first day of lessons, a child should be asked to give their instrument a name.  From that day on the instrument should be referred to as its given name.  This isn’t just for young beginners.  I know many professional musicians who have named their instrument.
  2. Improvise on the instrument.  No written music, no right or wrong notes. Explore and get to know the instrument.  I tell students, if you like something, play it again.  If you don’t like something, change it.  Sound effects, story-songs- it’s all good!  This can be done at home, no teacher required. The idea is exploration and freedom.
  3. Songwriting is a powerful connection tool in music lessons for any age.  Self-expression is a beautiful thing, even if no one outside of music lessons hears it.  It’s about the process, folks.  I once had a woman in her 50’s write a song for the first time and it brought her to tears. 
  4. Better communication with your teacher.  LessonMate.org of which I am co-founder, is an online music journal that gives teachers great tools and parents the ability to see what’s happening in lessons, anytime, any place.  Everyone being  on the same page is essential whether it’s weekly emails or ending 3 minutes early in order to talk.

So tell your kids to stop practicing and start visiting that instrument instead.  Let’s substitute the pressure of practice with the peace of a simple visit.  After all, what’s more personal than a get together?

Be a friend.  Make some music.