Daughter wants to stop learning piano
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actually i realise both my children has the same problem, ie. when they find that is getting difficult, they hv the resistent when ask them to practise… my sons learns for 2.5yrs and stops after the teacher told us that if he doesn’t want to practise, no point wasting time and money to let him continue. She says a child must have interest in music if not there is no point for us to make them do what they don’t enjoy. And that’s why we finally decided to stop when my son says he doesn’t want to play anymore…
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My DD is learning piano from my SIL (full-time piano tr for many yrs, used to teach in Yamaha too ). SIL told us the best time to start learning piano is 8-9 yrs old. That's when the child's fingers are long enough to reach the scales and can also go faster, in terms of progress. None of my friends took up this piece of advice. We listened to her and started DD at P3. However, DD lacks discipline and hardly practised, she was allowed to go at her slow pace - finished grade 2 this yr, going on to grade 3.
Actually, teaching my DD is very painful for my SIL - she's is a strict and good piano teacher - many of her students get distinctions. My DD only managed a merit, without a lot of hard work put in. However, we have this understanding that we want our daughter to enjoy music, will stop when she loses interests, but she still needs the discipline to practise.
My DH is also very musically - he learns to play the guitar, bass guitar, drums and keyboard without any formal training. He is now training teen musicians in church. He said he has come across too many people who refused to play the piano after grade 8 and he also witnessed his own sister working so hard for the higher grade exams. To him, music is very impt (always ringing in his mind) and to stop playing after so many years of practising is just like deciding to stop eating one day, because one has had enough of it!
He knows DD likes Jazz music and sometimes, will expose her to Jazz pieces or making a piece more lively. There are also few occasions when they play duet. However, he is also very strict with her. When he is around, he'll make her practise till a piece is perfect - that's his version of practise! DD commented that he is stricter than her teacher!
DS is just like him, didn't want to take up piano. He is learning how to play the guitar from DH but at a very slow pace too. Tonight, DH will bring home a drum set as he has started teaching DD how to play the drums
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To add on, starting at 8-9 is for average or talented musician. If our child is a prodigy, you’ll know and you will start your child much earlier. We know ours is not a prodigy, but got a tiny bit talent. She’s the arty farty creative type with a good sense of rhythm…
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I have a fren whose son has obtained Grade 3 pratical at age of 6, my son started with her son at same age but mine lost interest at age of 5… recently i ask him whether he’s keen to learn piano again, he still says no. actually he has music potential cos he can play much better compared to her sister but he’s the hyperactive type, can’t sit still and lazy to practise…
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TAURUS:
I have a fren whose son has obtained Grade 3 pratical at age of 6, my son started with her son at same age but mine lost interest at age of 5... recently i ask him whether he's keen to learn piano again, he still says no. actually he has music potential cos he can play much better compared to her sister but he's the hyperactive type, can't sit still and lazy to practise...
My elder girl learnt piano for a year & lost interest. When her younger sister started learning piano, somehow the beautiful sound of piano rekindles her interest. She had a 4 years break before resuming piano practices. Although she is not taking any formal lessons but she's playing daily. So don't give up hope
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hquek:
I agreed. When a child encounters difficulties, the first reaction is to give up & thus appear to lose interest. That's human nature.I don't want him to think that it's easy to give up things, and to know that to acquire skills, one needs to sacrifice/work hard.
I don't aim for him to be the best, but I just want him to persevere. Hopefully there will come a day when he can play music - just for his own enjoyment.
I try to identify whether it is due to 'no interest' or 'too difficult'.
If can play well but simply doesn't enjoy the instrument then I think it's fine to persue other area of interests. -
pecalis:
SIL told us the best time to start learning piano is 8-9 yrs old. That's when the child's fingers are long enough to reach the scales and can also go faster, in terms of progress.
I encounter many kids who start much younger and progress fast too. I'm not talking about prodigies lah Perhaps when they start at 5/6 yo there is much less school work to occupy their time and they have more time to practise hehe.
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pecalis:
To add on, starting at 8-9 is for average or talented musician. If our child is a prodigy, you'll know and you will start your child much earlier. We know ours is not a prodigy, but got a tiny bit talent. She's the arty farty creative type with a good sense of rhythm...
My kids' piano teacher said it's possible for my son to take grade 3 piano practical next year. But he has to practise very, very diligently (read : stress for mommy). He just started on piano in Oct last year but he has the right build, strong fingers and maturity.
But hor, he's certainly no prodigy. That I can assure you.
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Btw, I read somewhere that bright kids tend to give up on musical instruments more readily. Reason being they are quick in learning but can’t take the hard work required to master the skills. Those who persevere on are usually the more hardworking ones (besides loving music). So, don't take it too hard if your kids show disinterest in the instruments after a while. Rather, work with their music teachers to keep their interests in music burning.
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chamonix:
Btw, how old is your son? Just wondering whether my SIL's advice is accurate.pecalis:
To add on, starting at 8-9 is for average or talented musician. If our child is a prodigy, you'll know and you will start your child much earlier. We know ours is not a prodigy, but got a tiny bit talent. She's the arty farty creative type with a good sense of rhythm...
My kids' piano teacher said it's possible for my son to take grade 3 piano practical next year. But he has to practise very, very diligently (read : stress for mommy). He just started on piano in Oct last year but he has the right build, strong fingers and maturity.
But hor, he's certainly no prodigy. That I can assure you.
Another friend also said for accomplished pianists, they often looked back and thanked their parents for pushing them to work hard all those yrs...
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