Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Are piano lessons a waste?

11 replies

blinkboo · 10/03/2023 07:52

Do you think piano lessons are a waste if the child doesn't practice much? My DS started secondary school this year and is really distracted. He used to be quite into the piano at primary.

He has a lesson each week and when I ask him to practice, he'll sit down and do it for 5 minutes, so maybe 3 or 4 times a week.

I don't care about grades although they'd be nice (he did a couple at primary) I just want him to have an instrument he's able to play because music brings me so much peace as an adult.

But I wonder if it's a waste of money given it's so far down his priorities it is?

Anyone else had this and found their child went through peaks and troughs or is it all downhill from here?

OP posts:

Hellocatshome · 10/03/2023 07:54

Ask him if he wants to continue.

MrsBunnyEars · 10/03/2023 07:56

It brings you peace, but it doesn’t sound like he cares. I’d talk to him about whether he wants to continue, and if not, find something that’s more him.

Santasoorplooms · 10/03/2023 08:02

Piano teacher here: there is very frequently a dip in practice in the first year at secondary. I give a term or two’s grace for settling into a new school then ask if they’re ready to get stuck back in properly or if piano is not for them right now. You can say to your child, lessons are a privilege and practising is a prerequisite and make practice an expectation in the same zone as homework and brushing teeth.

If he doesn’t want to do it any more that is fine too. He can always return to it when older. See what the teacher has to say.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General education Music

parietal · 10/03/2023 08:03

My 11yr old is a bit like that. Does not practice much and doesn't want to do exams but wants to continue lessons. She does one or two long practice sessions per week.

We can afford it so I'll keep going but if money were tighter, then lessons for a kid who doesn't practice much would be the first thing to cut.

smellyflowers · 10/03/2023 08:10

Ask him if he wants to carry on or not.

smellyflowers · 10/03/2023 08:11

Also when it does play every so often tell him if you think it sounds good. I grew up with a home with musicians and I hated practicing as I would never be as good as them. But every time someone told me how nice it sounded I'd be much more motivated to play and that I wasn't as bad as I thought!

NewFL · 10/03/2023 08:13

I was that child. Never practised for more than a quick 10 minutes once a week because basically I wasn't interested in it. Made to keep going to piano lessons though as I had to go when older sibling being taken. He was talented, did lots of practice as he was keen and wanted to play.
My mum said the same about not caring about doing grades, just wanted me to play an instrument and be able to read music.

I gave up at 13, having done lessons for 6 years. Never played since so total waste of money. I can read music though but think that could have been achieved another way.

Have a decent conversation with DS about whether he wants to continue, try another instrument, or would rather take up a completely different hobby instead.

MumOf2workOptions · 10/03/2023 08:15

I had piano lessons as a child and absolutely loved it but interest drifted in secondary school I have to say.

I took up lessons again when I was in my 20's I love it and play to my children and they are both interested atm but it's an expense if they aren't interested.

Saschka · 10/03/2023 08:20

I got to grade 5 on no practice and sight reading (I did practice for a few weeks before the exams, but not for normal lessons), so maybe once a week is about as much time as he wants to devote to it? I think I had lessons between about age 11-16.

I did enjoy my lessons, but didn’t enjoy practising. Don’t play now as there is no space for a piano in our flat, but I’d pick it up again if we had one. And it taught me some useful music theory.

Newgirls · 10/03/2023 08:25

I think one issue with piano is they don’t get to perform with others unlike say an orchestra instrument or a guitar. Which can mean they don’t quite see the point in it. Mine got into piano more when they observed singers who also play. They also liked it when they had keyboard lessons as part of school music and realised how good they were. It would also be a huge asset if he takes gcse music. He needs to identify a ‘why’ to be motivated

Choconut · 10/03/2023 09:44

I think it's a fantastic thing to do at primary school, great in all sorts of ways and for all sorts of things. But as they get older if they aren't really into it then I would drop it if he is ready to stop. DS did it from about 6 to 12.

Flip