https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 23 May 2026 11:33:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853644 Sat, 27 Oct 2018 09:00:08 +0000 brownepiano 2853644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Piano practice at that age is like homework. You can't say "go do your homework" and never check in. Aim for 15 min every day (and if it can be the same time as part of your routine, even better!) Be within ear shot so you can say "maybe try that one again" or "can you play this for me 5 times?"</p> <p>I do games with my students to get them to do the repetition. Repetition is everything for music. So like bingo: print out a blank chart, write number in (1-6 so you can use a die) and assign each number a practice task. Roll die, play the song or scale, practice until you get bingo. </p> <p>Also there are hundreds charts online (or smaller numbers) aim to finish one in one week. For each piece/scale that he plays color in one part. </p> <p>For accuracy I do a penny game with 3-5 pennies. Every time you play it perfectly, you get a penny. Every time you mess it up, you take one away. Keep going until you have 5 pennies (or 3 to make it easier). This one really helps build in the focus and incentive to try to get it right often. </p> <p>You could have a mini recital once a week or even each day after practice where you say "play me your favorite piece" and listen and don't critique. </p> <p>I haven't had to make my kids practice yet, but I have worked with parents to try to get my students to practice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853640 Sat, 27 Oct 2018 08:44:13 +0000 looch 2853640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: the piano actually did come with the house, lol. It's not a Steinway or anything like that, but it's a legit piano. My husband plays a little bit, but it's not like he can bust out a concerto.</p> <p>I had a friend that was a piano player and my most distinct memory of him is actually in a hotel. There was a grand piano in the lobby and he instructed me to sit down and just play anything on the black keys while he played something on the white keys. It legit sounded like a broadway show tune and it created such a fabulous environment in that lobby. I haven't forgotten it after all these years! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853600 Fri, 26 Oct 2018 18:44:03 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2853600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not piano, but my oldest is in a foreign language program and it's pretty challenging. It's mixed age and mixed abilities and she's one of the younger ones and came in with almost zero knowledge. I don't have any special techniques. Our philosophy has been "well, you don't have to, but then you'll have to say why you didn't do your homework/practice." Also she is competitive about certain things so she got into somewhat of a race with another kid on her practice workbook which is self paced. Sorry, mostly just commiseration here! She always wants to go to the class but getting the supplemental stuff in is difficult! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853597 Fri, 26 Oct 2018 18:38:32 +0000 irene 2853597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkcupcake: Yes I agree the parents has to encourage a lot. Not disagreeing. I am wondering how do everyone else do it :wink: I like that a few of the teachers out there has some sort of incentive system!</p> <p>@jennlin821: He is 6. He seem to "like" playing, but definitely not as much as he likes golf, baseball, chess and scrabbles (ie the things he REALLY like). i like that "delaying your homework" part!</p> <p>@looch: re: ice breaker, I know! It is so charming when you watch these videos of people like Mr. Rogers, Christopher Plummer, they sat in front of the piano and played flawlessly and seemingly with no effort. </p> <p>Who knows how to play piano at your house ? Or does the baby grand comes with the house? :silly: </p> <p>@maddyz: My mom definitely struggled to nag me to practice. </p> <p>@yin: Wow that's impressive!<br /> I think I need to commit DS to a recital. The annoying thing last year was, they offered for him to do the recital maybe 2 weeks prior to the actual recital. We moms make plans 2 months ahead (haha) and it clashes with what we already have! What is he even going to play? There was no motivation and no build up. </p> <p>@ShootingStar: Your experience with piano was exactly my experience. I remember I was so fascinated by the piano when I was 4, I begged to have lessons. really liked to play but after all these nagging and uninspiring teachers and boring songs, and how I am kinda dyslexic with reading music (i can never read fast especially for anything more than a C major) I kinda don't like it anymore. </p> <p>Thank you all for the discussion :heart: This actually makes me think that there are several things I can bring it up to the piano teaching place. I think an incentive system from the teachers will help, and I wish there was a chance for us to at least see how one class is conducted. And definitely more advance notice for possible recitals so we can really take it seriously and be prepared for it. What a coincidence I just got an email today from them about a survey of the piano classes we are taking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853535 Fri, 26 Oct 2018 14:32:09 +0000 ShootingStar 2853535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I was in 2nd grade my parents bought a piano and started me on lessons. Initially I was interested, but it became more and more of a chore and I resisted practicing. Eventually my mom asked if I just wanted to stop and I said yes. </p> <p>In 5th grade I started playing the flute and really liked it. I took private lessons and later joined the school band. I was never great about practicing that young, but I was much more willing because I liked the flute better. Eventually in HS I practiced on my own without having to be told. </p> <p>I think kids have to have an interest in order to keep up with it. Otherwise it's just a chore, and music is supposed to be enjoyable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853501 Fri, 26 Oct 2018 10:42:10 +0000 yin 2853501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO has been taking lessons since the beginning of summer. He is assigned homework that he needs to work on between lessons. Since it's homework, he understands that it's necessary and has to be done. He doesn't fully understand why he needs to repeat the steps and practice. We're still working on that. He tends to pick up concepts very quickly, and he doesn't think that repetition is necessary (both piano and regular school work). It's hard to argue with because it works with him in school. </p> <p>He is working towards a recital in December, and I'm hoping this will be the push he needs to learn how to practice regularly. </p> <p>Also I was the one who pushed him to take piano. He was reluctant at first, but he truly likes the one on one time with his teacher to learn a new skill. He is quite proud of his accomplishments, and it's no longer a chore to go to his lessons. I find him going to the piano and playing on his own and experimenting with writing music. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853497 Fri, 26 Oct 2018 10:30:56 +0000 maddyz 2853497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't read all of the commits. But for me, the biggest take away I got from playing an instrument as a kid was the discipline of doing something I didn't want to do but needed to do to improve. And about how hard one needed to work to get better. It sucks. And sometimes I was not good at practicing but as I got older I could really see the difference. know my mom struggled. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853478 Fri, 26 Oct 2018 09:32:30 +0000 looch 2853478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really want my son to learn the piano, we also have a baby grand in the house and I think it's one of those life skills that is good to have as an adult...it's a good ice breaker if there is a piano and you can play a few things!</p> <p>I was thinking of having someone come to our house to just play and see what my son does (he's almost 8). He says he doesn't have interest in learning, but I suspect that's not true. Maybe I need to start lessons for myself, and see what happens.</p> <p>As an aside, I played an instrument from 3rd grade until 10th and I loathed practicing. I realize that the only way to improve is to practice, but unless there is a real love for the music and the instrument, it's not something I would push. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853447 Fri, 26 Oct 2018 08:29:02 +0000 jennlin821 2853447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How old is he? and does he like playing? </p> <p>I started playing flute when I was 10 (5th grade band). At that age we were supposed to practice 30 min 3-5x per week. I think I practiced maybe 3x per week for 15 min. Once I got older (12-13) I stopped practicing, but I had band class every day, and took a private 30min lesson.<br /> In high school, I had band class every day, plus marching band 3x per week + performances. Still didn't practice! </p> <p>I loved playing and being in band - I did enough practice to keep up, but not to be an amazing player. </p> <p>So I guess my long rambling post is that yes he should practice, but do not suck the fun out of it! Most of the time, when I was little, I practiced because it was delaying doing my homework! So talk to him about it, maybe set an easy goal (15 min everyday after snack or some thing like that.) Once that set, you'll be able to adjust it longer or different days as necessary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853419 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 23:01:26 +0000 pinkcupcake 2853419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At this age, I think a lot of it falls on parents to encourage practice and sit with them through practice times. Maybe my view is different because we do Suzuki which involves a ton of parent involvement. </p> <p>My daughter (6) has been playing violin for about a year. Our teacher gives a practice sheet with all the songs she’s working on in a grid. We check off the songs as we do them and if she earns 4 completed sheets, she gets a treat. We usually spend 20 mins practicing. I walk her through the practice sheet and sit with her while she practices. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853412 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 21:58:27 +0000 gestalt 2853412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: very basic songs! Mary had a little lamb, twinkle twinkle and London symphony. But she is playing the songs with both hands. No books yet - he compiles his own book of photocopies. </p> <p>@mrsbells - that’s a cool incentive system! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853409 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 21:23:45 +0000 irene 2853409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: Yes last year he was offered to do recital. I asked if he wanted to do a recital / play piano on stage in front of others, and he said no because he's shy. DH said we should go to the recital anyway, but it clashed with a birthday party he was invited to so we weren't able to go. And I like your belt system!</p> <p>@gestalt: Thanks! Hmm. He has been learning since last year (only during school year, there were no classes over the summer, and we were very busy anyway), it just didn't seem to have significant progress, but yes of course, he didn't practice enough. It is good to hear what other parents do to encourage their children to practice!</p> <p>Agree about scales. I guess I really need to *inspire* him to do more of that. I do ask him to do the scales he just refuses. Or he playfully did whatever he want for once and runs off. (guess why I can not teach him piano myself)</p> <p>I met the teacher twice, he's pretty nice. DS likes him OK (he was assigned one toward the end of last school year that he really didn't like, and he said he wanted to stop lessons. I am glad we didn't get the same guy this year, ha) One time DH went to pick DS up, and the teacher told DH that DS need to practice LOL. Since it is right after school and I pick him up afterwards I don't get to see how they do their lesson though. </p> <p>@Mrsbells: @gestalt: What songs/ books are you guys using now? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853406 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 20:57:26 +0000 gestalt 2853406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Practicing isn’t something kids really like. It’s up to us to teach them they have to practice if they want to get better, and show them what good practice habits look like. I sit with her when she practices. Usually 10x per hand for finger exercises and 5x per song. It’s usually a little more if I notice she is not really paying attention. She has only been playing for 1 month but we now practice 15-20 min per day about 5x per week. These things don’t come naturally, and I know very few kids who take the initiative to practice for 10-15 min straight. My friend’s kid will practice on his own but he does one song two times, goes off to play and then comes back an hour later to practice 1-2x. Just because she doesn’t take initiative to practice doesn’t mean she doesn’t like piano...it’s just not that fun when you’re starting out learning the basics. </p> <p>What’s kind of piano teacher does he have? Her teacher asks what songs she wants to learn and he tries to keep it light. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853404 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 20:50:04 +0000 Mrsbells 2853404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: does his piano lesson lead to recitals? For DD she is learning an instrument too and having regular recitals gives her something to work towards. She sees other children perform and then motivates her. Also the music school has a ladder system almost like the belt colors for karate and that serves as another form of motivation becausr she wants to earn new colors </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853401 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 20:37:03 +0000 irene 2853401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: I play, we have a baby grand piano at home, school offers piano classes after school (with $ of course), and we just think why not. He has never "asked" to learn how to play because I always showed him how to play simple things since he was very young. And he liked it. I just can not formally teach him (eg. reading or counting beats...etc.) because just like everything else he doesn't listen to me.</p> <p>It did make a difference when I actually play myself and spend time with him at the piano. Like today we literally played piano from the time he came back from school to the time he went into the shower (we ate dinner in between of course lol). I just don't like piano THAT much to do this for the next 10 years. </p> <p>Also DH wanted DS to learn to play an instrument.... I guess it is one of those things he wished he had an opportunity to do but was never given an opportunity.</p> <p>@Kemma: I'd say exactly what you said? Even if it were 5-10 mins I am happy with. Very often DS goes from class to class with absolutely no practice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853388 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 19:46:52 +0000 Kemma 2853388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How much practice is your son expected to do? Little kids have a pretty short span of attention so I would only expect 10-15 minutes four or five days a week for a 5-7 year old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853386 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 19:46:25 +0000 erinbaderin 2853386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can I ask why he’s learning the piano? Did he ask to learn, or is this something you’re making him do? Honestly, I don’t know if there’s a way to make him do something he doesn’t want to do and enjoy it/do it voluntarily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853385 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 19:44:51 +0000 Kemma 2853385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <br /><p><i>This comment has been deleted by the original poster.</i></p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/los-vs-learning-musical-instruments#post-2853381 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 19:15:22 +0000 irene 2853381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is currently taking piano classes. I am sure most parents struggle the same struggle I am going through: asking your child to practice. It is hard to ask a child to practice something over and over, but if they don't practice it is really pointless to learn. I know because I hated practicing piano when I was a child, and I hate it when my mom constantly nagged me to practice back then. I vowed I will not be the one who nag my child to practice.</p> <p>Recently I tried to practice piano myself and I spend more time with DS at the piano. It is working, he's definitely practicing more.... I hate to say it but it is so much work (!!) Can he just naturally want to practice on his own :silly: </p> <p>Thought I'd post it and see if you guys have any tips / tricks in inspiring your kids to practice without having to nag every day? Any specific beginners books you guys are buying that has really fun / good songs that a child really want to play? Any other tips / tricks / frustration you'd like to share?</p> <p>Thanks in advance! </p>