Music Practice

[fluffycauliflower]

How can I motivate my children to practice? We have a routine where they practice after tea every day, they do practice, but for five minutes if that. It's better than nothing but... The eldest is 12, she has done Grade 4 piano (scraped through). She wants to carry on with her two instruments. Anyone got any ideas?

DD is just 10 and plays 2 instruments at a decent level. I've found backing right off to be the most effective thing to do. DD knows that she needs to do 4x20 min sessions on each instrument every week, she decides when she's going to fit them. If she ever failed for a non-agreed reason then the next week there would be no laptop/tv until all practice done. The lessons aren't cheap and we give upa lot of time taking her to orchestra rehearsals so she need sto do her bit. The hardest thing is not reminding too much!

DD2 is very good, she is 9 and plays 2 instruments, 1 at grade 3 level and one at grade 2 level. She does 10 - 15 mins on each a day no hassle, usually before school.

DD1 plays 2 instruments at grade 2 level and although she enjoys playing. I have to nagg her more to practice. Partly because she is busier and has more homework. I think she would progress quicker if she was as diligent as her sister.

There are some ideas here which you might find useful.

Actually, I think 5 mins (or even less) but regularly is pretty good going, especiually if it's well focussed practice. If they're anything like my dc though they just whizz through their piece(s) once and that's it (and with mine it was usually less than 5 mins and often not at all). Would getting their teacher to explain how they should practice (ie outline exactly what's expected of them each time) help do you think? - But do be a bit careful here - the teacher needs to have realistic expectations and not outline a 3hr a day practice schedule or anything daft like that.

thanks for your suggestions. The piano teacher has discussed with her how to practice, but she hasn't really taken this on board. I might try some kind of a reward scheme - I think that I introduced pnnishments she would get mightily pissed of.

remember if you can encourage a small improvement of a few minutes a day that is sustained, that is better than a shortlived move to 30 mins a day and is something that you can gradually build on over time. Having pieces you really enjoy always helps too.

Have you tried buying her CDs of music she likes or going to concerts/live performances?

Hi, we have only been to one concert, they always seem so long, so I think she would be bored. I might try some CD's, I hadn't thought of that. I think part of the problem is that she doesn't particularly like the tunes her piano teacher selects. I have talked to her teacher about this, her teacher is insistant on selecting the pieces herself. She is a really dedicated piano teacher, who really cares about her students, who lives in our road, but the pieces she chooses are a problem, I've discussed it with her, but she doesn't accept my view point! If she didn't live in my road we'd try someone else, but with three children, and lots of activities, we have to stay with her for convenience.

At that standard you could buy her some easyish music she likes that she could play not for her lessons but for fun. Try easy arrangements of popular films or the like - anything that gets her playing more will be a good thing even if it's not what she's studying for her teacher.

We use youtube. You get all kinds of weird things, like Woody Woodpecker singing the Barber of Seville or Lego orchestra. Gets them interested.

I found blatant bribery worked. Got DS1 past the point of not being bothered and saying he wanted to give up and now he practises a respectable amount and properly.