music lessons - won't practise - what to do?

[snorkle]

Message withdrawn

I think you have done the right thing. If she was interested she would have practised. There's no point paying out money for extra curicular activities when you are infact the one doing all the work. Children should learn that they can't simply have what they feel like having.

I would book some out of school and cheaper lessons but not tell her just yet ... then say if she practises over the next couple of weeks then you'll consider continuing, so that she gets a chance to prove that she is really interested. But totally agree, even if she doesn't have lessons for a while, don't sell the viola!!!

snorkle,

as a kid who had piano lessons, didn't practise and never really got into it, and singing lessons, but was really into it because there was some extraneous motivation (singing groups, concerts etc), I would really second those who have said get her playing with others in some way to motivate her. Could she play with her brother, maybe some fun jazz stuff? (ok, maybe the viola not so suited to that). As she is only 11, it might be worth switching to a more versatile instrument where jazz etc might be an option.

I remember only too well how as a kid one wants to learn in the abstract, and enjoys the actual lessons, but the practice seems so divorced from anything that will bring you closer to the music and just becomes another boring homeworky type thing, of which there are millions. Added to her character of being a bit dreamy, (which I was) I can see how it's hard for her to get into it.. Singing I got really into because we sang as a family, and was also in groups and concerts etc, so there was something outside the boring old practice not leading anywhere..

best of luck, sounds like you're finding a solution!