Isn't is great to get back into a routine? I can sure tell that students are keeping a structured practice schedule again. I think we humans need a sense of structure. Kids may hem and haw when we "remind" them that they must do this or that and it must be done by this certain time. But, as a parent, our main responsibility is getting our offspring ready to navigate life on their own. I believe one of the most important life skills is self discipline and self discipline is learned through structure and expectations.

John and Sarah Lintzenich talk about this in the "Student of the Month" Video. Their boys know that practicing the piano is expected and a structure is in place. The results are that their boys are at a point now that they are good at playing the piano and, since we humans enjoy things that we are good at, the boys don't mind practicing anymore (as much, anyway).

I have talked with some parents who were made to practice so much as a child that they hated it and don't want to push their children the way they were pushed by their parents. These parents are very good at playing the piano now as adults -by the way. They are taking the complete opposite approach by not creating any practice schedule and not pushing their children to create practicing habits and here is what is happening...and this is without exception... the students are only sitting down at the piano when they feel like it (not often). They don't know how to get started on their own. They are learning the same things over and over again at every lesson because they can't master what they are being taught. They get frustrated and start to lack confidence and it is no longer enjoyable.

This is when I question what the motive is for both the parents and the student. If parents are just hoping that someday their child will magically love practicing and someday magically turn into the next superstar musician then I have sad news. But if they truly don't care if their child gets any better and just wants him/her to have fun then that's okay too but please communicate that to their teacher because we human teachers feel that our job is to make our students the best musicians that they can be and if that is at odds with your expectations then it would be quite helpful to know that. We won't stop doing our best to connect with our students' learning styles and create lessons that will hopefully make it fun it practice, but we won't beat ourselves up if we must repeat last week's lesson again.

Hey, I get it! Your child's interest in a musical instrument may not be a priority. It isn't in most people's lives. You are probably juggling a 1000 other things and monitoring practice sessions isn't high on the list of necessities. Let's work together on this! Our teachers spell out EXACTLY what our students are supposed to work on each week. We have a chart for them to check off and we ask that you sign their practice sheets. We have incentives so they can work towards a goal. All you have to do is set up the schedule for them and create expectations and follow through. I know it sounds much easier than it actually is...especially the follow through part.

If I had a penny for every time a student told me that they didn't have a time to practice, well, I could buy myself a massage. Really? Not even 1 minute all week?! Poor souls are running themselves ragged! Perhaps since screen time activities are free and music lessons are an investment, screen time could be a great incentive for AFTER practicing. Just a thought. It works well for Sarah and John.

As always, thank you so much for allowing us the opportunity to be a part of your child's musical journey. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments or concerns.

Best,