DD8 losing interest in piano - worth switching teachers/instrument?

[Junioh]

She's been learning for almost 2 years, doing well but it's a battle getting her to practice. The teacher is nice but not extroverted and lessons/practice are going through learner books like "Piano Time", so I think overall DD finds it a bit boring? I think her experience is fairly normal but was just wondering if anyone has had this experience and seen an improvement after switching to a different teacher or instrument?

She was very young to start learning in the first place. How much progress has she made? Has she done any grades? If she doesn’t want to practise, it’s not worth it. Does she want to still have lessons?

True she was quite young - it's because her brother was learning and she wanted to join in. Having said that I think she was more keen to play when younger, it's almost like she finds it more boring as time goes on. I imagine if I have her the option she would give up. She's proud of being able to play, but not sure she enjoys it that much. I guess I was wondering if switching teacher or instrument would make it more enjoyable.

She's not done any grades. She's completed Tunes for Ten Fingers 1 and 2, and Piano Time 1, plus a lot of Piano Time Pieces 1. She's now on Piano Time 2. If that means anything!

Ask her if there is another instrument she would like to try.
DD started with piano, then recorder. Dropped piano and recorder in favour of saxophone, then in her teens took up guitar. I think it is fine to have a go at whatever they want to try. The pleasure is in the music, unless you are determined that they should be a professional and are absolutely dedicated to that goal. For a teenager, a guitar or another portable instrument is a great social advantage - you can be in a band, for example.

if shes been playing for two years it wiuld now be good to get her onto something more challenging like grade1. i think a change of teachers wouldnt hurt to see a different approach. its a tricky age for practise and it’s unrealistic for her to practice everyday but things like working towards a grade and if you add an incentive for taking the exam ( e. g ice cream sunday) that could help. if she wants to change instruments that could be fun but encourage her to keep making music as it is such a good skill and hobby

I started on recorder, then violin (disaster) then switched to the flute where I struck gold and I still play today.

If she likes music but isn’t enjoying the instrument then yes I’d try something new. She might come back to the piano later.

I read about a famous trumpet player who only started playing at age 11.

Not all instruments benefit from an early start, but a love of music can be easily destroyed by painful torture practice, so I think you’re very wise to try something new!

Hopefully she will be fairly fluent at reading music so that will make learning another instrument so much easier. Maybe show her some different instruments on YouTube, lots of proms on iPlayer too. See what she likes the sound of. It's so much fun playing in a group so see what there is locally, maybe a local brass band does beginner lessons, or there's a junior string orchestra. There's nothing wrong with changing. I would argue that nearly daily practice will make a big difference though, even just a few minutes. Good luck and hope you find what she loves!

The grounding in piano is good, but it sounds like her heart isn't in, it if she isn't pushing to make progress. My eldest daughter in particular is passionate about piano, she is always wanted to get better. Perhaps give your child her choice of new instrument or a new teacher?

Mine got interested in other instruments about that age.

piano was a good grounding and taught them o read music.

many music services run events where you can try various instruments. Maybe find one of those?

There are a lot of fun books with well-known songs at this level - Disney and the like. It may be worth trying something like this and letting her just play for fun. Perhaps a teacher who would encourage this would be good. Books l would recommend would be The Magic Piano Book, The Princess Piano Book and What Else Can l Play? Grade 1. I would also say play rather than practise for the time being. She will gain a repertoire that will impress her friends and family because it is well-known and, hopefully boost her confidence and encourage her to want to make more progress at the piano once more. As a music teacher, I like the Piano Time series but never make children learn every piece because it is not one size fits all. We talk about playing a musical instrument and I think your little girl needs to get the sense of play back in her music making. I think she will benefit far more from fun music than exams at this stage.

I think it's very common for children learning the piano to find it a grind for the first few years and then to really come to enjoy it at about grade 3/4 level. I know a lot of friends who took years to do the first few grades and then suddenly really came to love it once they felt they could play something they enjoyed. A bit like doing phonics for two years and then developing a love of reading once you're on chapter books.

Maybe have a chat with her and with her teacher to see how they think things are going. If she's not loving piano at the moment there are lots of options - existing teacher may be at point of moving past beginner books to more varied repertoire; or as you say try a different teacher, or a different instrument. Or maybe DC has other hobbies they'd rather focus on or try something completely new - singing, drama, sport, dance. Many options. It's an age for trying different things, some they'll stick with some they won't.