question on continuing music or not with 13 year old

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  • September 30, 2012 at 1:45 am
    simple home
    Member

    Should I make my son continue takIng piano? He really dislikes it but I hate for him to quit! He’s extremely gifted in athletics, so I’m trying to decide to just stick with sports as extracurricular activities without music or continue on for a while longer.

    My daughter, on the other hand, has a natural ear for music and loves piano (while not so good at sports! Lol). I’m wondering if it’s best to just go with a child’s natural abilities or try to broaden he/she into other areas as well.

    Thoughts?

    September 30, 2012 at 1:49 am
    Tristan
    Participant

    We require piano for each child until they can play well enough to accompany the singing of hymns at church. It’s up to them how fast or slow they go to get to that proficiency. 😉

    September 30, 2012 at 2:58 am
    simple home
    Member

    That’s interesting Tristan. Thanks for the idea!

    September 30, 2012 at 4:21 am
    HollyS
    Participant

    My oldest has complained quite a bit.  We are having her continue.  She also complains about math, but we keep going with that too.  😉

    My DD is really into gymnastics, and I want her to have other interests.  Gymnastics can be hard on their bodies and I wouldn’t want her to be devistated if she had to give it up due to injuries.  I don’t want gymnastics to be her only interest.  

    September 30, 2012 at 1:00 pm
    Rebekahy
    Participant

    Simple Home – I took piano for 7 years – I didn’t hate it, but I never felt like I was good at it.  I have a couple of nice songs from recitals that I can still play, but I certainly cannot accompany hymns – bummer.   I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I was taught by a traditional piano teacher.  I was more inclined to play by ear than to start from scratch with each new song and figure out how to read it.  Once my teacher caught on she would no longer play the songs for me prior to me going home to learn them.  It was very frustrating.  SO, when looking for a teacher/method for my daughters, I wanted something as flexible as my homeschooling is for them in other subjects.  I found Simply Music.  I LOVE it!!!  My daughters have just been taking since July (they are 8 and 6) and they are playing BEAUTIFULLY!!!  They can already accompany Amazing Grace!  Simply Music teaches accompaniment (I played for 7 years and never learned how to do that, only how to play note by note), it teaches composing, along with learning note by note.  I highly recommend it, because it makes playing piano a joy and it makes it feel worthwhile – my girls will know how to accompany some music for Christmas!  Anyhow, I can’t speak highly enough about it and would encourage you to give it a go before dropping piano completely.  You can find a teacher through simply music’s website.

    Blessings,

    Rebekah

    September 30, 2012 at 2:40 pm
    Kate Mom of 1
    Participant

    There have been some good ideas tossed around.  🙂 Another one I had is if there is another way he can get invovled besides lessons.  Could he play for church? (goes back to Rebekah’s idea of learning to play for accompaniment) Start a little band with his friends? Plan songs to learn for a little recitical with other kids?  Maybe he dislikes it because he needs the motivation to have something to work towards! 

    I should check into Simply Music for my daughter (9 next month)  I pulled her out of piano last year when she was in public school because of cost and time…She was sick alot and had too much homework most nights, and it just felt like an unessisary burden.  But she’s natrually musical, and would love it.  This is the second time I’ve heard it’s praises! 

    Thanks and to the OP, hope this helps! 

    Kate 

    September 30, 2012 at 2:49 pm
    my3boys
    Participant

    I am having the same issue with one of my dc. But now I have the “reasons” I was looking for to have him continue with his chosen instrument.

    Thanks.

    September 30, 2012 at 6:56 pm
    simple home
    Member

    Thanks ladies for responding! I think the Simply Music sounds like a great option, thanks for the tip and I’ll remember that if I decide to pull him away of a traditional teacher. My son actually uses a different teacher than my daughter. Long story on the reason for that, but both teachers have been very good. I just think my son sees his little sister perform SO well and he wants to shy away because he’s the older male. I want to respect his need for identity, but not so much that it hinders him and/or fuels a pride problem either. 🙂

    I’m currently rereading a great book called Future Men by Doug Wilson. Oh how I need the reminders that are in this book about young men! Especially when he’s the only boy with 3 sisters. 🙂

    Thanks again!

    September 30, 2012 at 7:24 pm
    missceegee
    Participant

    We require several years of piano and then will allow them to choose a different instrument, but NOT drums! Hubby & I would go bonkers with drum noise!

    September 30, 2012 at 9:40 pm
    simple home
    Member

    Drums would require a sound proof room, so not for our house either. 🙂

    September 30, 2012 at 10:35 pm
    momto2blessings
    Participant

    My eldest (13) is not thrilled w/piano but we require it. She used to love it, but doesn’t seem to like our new (male) teacher as much.  And her younger brother has really taken off and surpassed her, so I think that’s an issue, too. I’m trying to encourage her to learn another instrument to avoid the competition. If she does that and loves it more, I’d probably let her drop piano at some point. But for now not an option:)  Blessings, Gina

    P.S. Been on vacation…glad to be back w/you all:)

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