Learning music is an excellent skill. In schools across the country, an increasing number of children are encouraged to learn how to play an instrument. When your child decides they want to start playing an instrument, support them in this new passion they have found.
After purchasing their chosen instrument, select a teacher who will help them learn how to play, and once you have created space in your home so they can practice, there is always the inevitable that occurs. They will simply no longer want to practice playing their instrument. In the beginning, it was a new and exciting adventure, but after a while, the enthusiasm begins to dwindle.
Having made space for the recently purchased drum and pre-booked lessons with a teacher, many parents will find themselves wondering how to motivate their child to continue learning to play.
If you are one of those parents currently in endless fights about practicing playing, here are a few ways to help encourage your child in music as you try to reignite the spark for this unique passion.
Allow Your Child To Set the Practice Schedule
Naturally, when most children get asked to do something, they do not always want to do it. Throughout the day, children will interact with numerous people telling them to do things. From their parents and siblings to their teachers and coaches, each one is likely to ask them to do something that they might not want to do. When you ask your child to practice playing their instrument, the motivation to want to rehearse might be minimal.
One way to tackle this issue is by allowing your child to take control. Allow them to decide how their practice schedule should look. Doing so will make them more likely to stick to it. Since they have already chosen an instrument, provide them with the chance to choose the times they practice. It shows them that they are not forced into playing, which might motivate them to want to play.
Show An Interest
In the early stages of learning to play an instrument, your child might be frustrated or discouraged to continue playing. Part of the reason is the lack of understanding that it will take time to learn how to play. During these early stages, listen to their progress and shower them with encouraging remarks about their progress. Engage with them about their progress, asking questions about how their lessons went and what they learned.
If they tell you something about the instrument they are playing or mention a technical term that you know nothing about, take the time to learn about it. Knowing what some of the most essential drum rudiments are is not something everyone will know. However, searching what drum rudiments are and learning about them, will show your child that you care about their passion and what will help them to succeed.
Taking an interest in your child’s musical journey will make them excited to show off their new skills and play the songs they have learned.
Celebrate Their Accomplishments
Similar to the way you would if they were playing a sport, celebrate the accomplishments they achieve with learning to play an instrument. It is a long journey learning how to play an instrument. Whilst you will undoubtedly be proud of them when you watch them perform, it is important to celebrate all of the little victories along the way.
Whether it be playing a part of a song fluidly, knowing how to read one of the lines on their sheet music, or showing off a new song they have been practicing, praise them for all of these milestone accomplishments, despite how small they may seem.
Showing your continued support through these moments of encouragement will be useful in the future. When your child is struggling, finding it challenging to tackle a new concept or song, the celebrations for those small victories will help them maintain a positive attitude as they try to overcome these hurdles.
Freedom In Choice
Similar to letting them choose an instrument, as well as a time to learn, consider letting your child select the music they want to learn to play. There are certain signature songs and classics for various instruments, for instance, Wonderwall on the guitar or Lean On Me on the piano. If your child is playing music that they do not like, they will rapidly lose interest in practicing playing.
Communicate with your child’s teacher about learning to play the music they genuinely enjoy. Most children’s taste in music will be influenced by what they watch, hear on the radio as well as what their friends listen to. You can use it to motivate them into practicing playing. Compromise with them that they can learn to play a familiar song in their weekly routine.
It will take time before they become confident in their playing abilities. There will be moments where they no longer want to practice. However, as long as you do not apply pressure on your child to continue learning, it will encourage them to practice playing. In time, they will develop skills that will allow them to broaden their musical abilities.
