Help Your Child Get Motivated in Piano Lessons
by: GeorgiaSchohl | Total views: 7 | Word Count: 638 | View PDF | Print View
If your child is beginning to learn how to play piano, we have some advice for you to help your child for the first few weeks. Ask yourself first if your child truly desires piano lessons. Or are you sadly misguided because you, as a parent wanted to become a pianist years ago or is it because children from friends or relatives are gifted students?
If you try to impose your will on your child to take piano lessons, in the long run it will not work and you will lose money. There will be difficult fights ahead with you and your child if you decide to override what your child wants. Most teachers do not look forward to teaching a child that is rude, rebellious, or just plain uninterested as they will not learn the material quickly and may even refuse to practice.
You are already ahead if your child keeps asking about learning how to play piano or taking piano lessons. You can show your child how much fun piano is and what a great attention-getting activity it is when you have a pianist friend or relative over to play a few pieces at a family function. Children often get inspired and want to learn how to play just like the pianist, and it's even better if it's a cousin or someone their own age.
Try to persuade your child to make up some songs or play something by ear on the keyboard or piano. They also should be told that the instrument never should be treated roughly like an old toy, and needs to be handled with consideration. Your child should also be told that piano lessons are a special gift, as many people cannot afford to pay for lessons for their own children so that it should never be taken for granted.
Next, you need to find a teacher that will accept your child. Some teachers will take students as young as five but others start them at eight years old, as they prefer the larger hands, more developed motor skills, and better reading and comprehension skills. Ask the teacher what their approach is how many younger children do they teach, and if they offer little reward incentives such as stars or stickers, which many students love.
After you sign your child up with a teacher, try to sit in on the first few lessons so you can make sure if your child is understanding the concepts and is enjoying the lessons. You can also use the lesson as a time to learn piano yourself by watching, and this will help you later if your child has questions during practice time. Later at home, you can also sit in on the practice session to make sure your child plays the assigned pieces, and later you can purchase learning tools such as music software that will help with note reading and playing rhythms correctly.
Promise to give your child small incentives such as stickers for the pieces that were passed by the piano instructor during each lesson. Parents who get involved and organize small goals for the student may see better results in the student's progress. Treats like an ice cream cone, a small toy, or anything the child likes is a great way to reward them.
If you want to motivate your child, give them lots of applause and show them your approval when they perform for the family or for you. When the instructor shows interest and encouragement in your child's progress, consider your child very fortunate, because many teachers are pressed for time and feel short-tempered sometimes. Keep in mind that you can show lots of praise, positive input, and affection toward your child during the process of learning piano, as this is a great motivation technique.
About the Author
If you would like to play piano self-paced, we review a couple of unique piano methods by experts. If you would like to learn how to play chords, there are software and video lessons to learn various chord techniques for beginners and advanced students.
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