Name: Thrive! NCHE Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-05-22T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-05-24T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Tagged: Musical instruments, piano

This topic has 5 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 1 month ago by suzukimom.

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

Author
Posts
March 30, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Misty
Participant
So my boys have been doing piano with a great (cheap teacher) for about 2 years now. My children all complain about doing it. I really only wanted them to taste this as I never had the opportunity. Now they have. My older son will be going into 6th grade, and I am thinking that if he doesn’t want to continue maybe this would be a good time for his studies will be increasing this year and that would give my 6 yr old a nice time to start. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks Misty
March 30, 2010 at 5:53 pm
art
Participant
I never had that problem. My teenage son has always wanted to play piano-going into music next year at college. But the other kids only wish they wanted to play it. I did tell them that I want them each to choose an instrument or singing to work on, because music can do SO MUCH for them and us.
Maybe your sons would be interested in another instrument. You can usually get instruments at pawn shops so it doesn’t always have to cost a fortune to try another one.
Our philosophy has been to never make the kids play an instrument they don’t want to play, but the others are a lot younger than my teen. They haven’t picked their instruments yet. My 11 year old agonizes about what she wants, my 8 year old sings all day long, and my 7 year old is still in his own world, but he gets out the guitar and sings the blue sometimes. Pretty funny.
We have always had music of different kinds in the home, and I think that helps too.
I know a lot of people though, that say they’re glad their mom made them stick with piano. I’m interested in what others think about this too.
March 30, 2010 at 6:34 pm
RobinP
Participant
My degree is in piano and I had a large studio for many years. My 19yo doesn’t play an instrument. My 6yo is in his 3rd year of Suzuki violin and loves it. My adopted 6yo will begin violin this fall. I honestly have mixed feeling about this. I’ve taught students who really didn’t want to take piano whose parents were making them. Sometimes the parents would let them quit, sometimes they wouldn’t. I do know that I often see those kids out and about, now grown, and wish their parents had made them continue. I don’t think allowing them to quit at the first little quibble is a good idea. Anything worthwhile is worth working through. If it really becomes an issue of hating music because of it, it might be time to call it quits, or focus on another instrument. Practice isn’t often fun…it’s hard work…but the rewards are immeasurable. I consider music for my younger boys to be part of their education so, unless it were becoming a very real battle, I would not let them quit…change direction maybe, but not quit.
March 30, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Misty
Participant
My son would have no other interest of an instrument. And he doesn’t outright argue, and I only expect 15 min. of practice daily so that it doesn’t become over burdening (though the teacher says each of them are doing very well every week and it isn’t hurting them, the time I mean).
So maybe you’re right. Unless it’s an all out issue let them continue. It’s not like I can’t stop at any time. And it’s not inconvienent for me, she comes to our house. Hoping to hear from others who maybe have let them stop and what they now feel about that. Misty
March 30, 2010 at 11:11 pm
momto2blessings
Participant
A pastor at our church is an excellent saxophone player—plays around the country with a Christian group, has a cd etc. When he was younger he wanted to quit but his parents made him stick it out. Now it’s a major love of his life. I’m sure that’s not the case with everyone, but I would persevere unless it came to be a major battle for a long time. :)Gina
March 30, 2010 at 11:22 pm
suzukimom
Participant
I stopped music lessons, and wish I hadn’t. – actually, what I wish more is that i had things more consistant.
My parents wouldn’t allow the kids to do the same instruments. My sister did Suzuki Violin for 2 or 3 years, then was taught by s violinist who only taught child prodigies (she was supposed to practice 6 hours a day at about age 7!) She quite violin at age 12, and did organ and piano etc….
I did Yamaha Organ (sort of like Suzuki – it is for kids around age 3) but I don’t remember what it was like at all. I think there was a big break…? then I did piano – but we only had an organ at our house to practice on – not the best arrangement. We might have had a piano when we started (my parents split and so did the instruments.) I had a year or so of piano (with a piano to practice on) – then a break for a couple of years – then as a teenager I did Organ up to the point that the teacher couldn’t teach me more (but not THAT high of a level.)
I can read music fine, and can play simple song on piano and organ (and am learning violin with my kids – they are in Suzuki violin) – but I am wishing that I had more skill on piano (or organ… we have both) so that I could play songs easily without having to work on them for a long time – and ideally so I could teach music lessons. I really wish I had continued, and had more consitancy.