“As music teachers, we often get statements like ‘my son just doesn’t practice’ or ‘my daughter isn’t motivated to practice.’ Children need to be guided by their parents. If it is left to the children, they will most likely just end up not practicing at all. A lot of parents don’t realize the opportunity they have to teach their children positive character traits while their child is learning to play a musical instrument. Motivation isn’t a requirement for practicing. Motivation comes and goes. What carries a person through times when motivation is lacking is responsibility, self discipline and perseverance.
“Learning to play a musical instrument is a long term endeavor. It takes years to get good at an instrument and many, many years to reach a professional level. The perspective of a child is not as far reaching as that of an adult. Children like more immediate gratification. Though practicing can be fun, the gratification comes later when they can play the instrument well. If a parent can help their child establish a solid practice routine then the child will end up practicing even when they don’t want to. This will lead to the realization that hard work and effort in the moment leads to a positive result, which promotes responsibility, self discipline, and perseverance.”
– Jason Theiste, JT Musical Arts
