To Portia

Thanks for your comment, Portia.  You didn’t mention that you’re a student who has learned piano by making use of these tips.,,,,and look at how far you’ve come.  Congratulations.

 

Phyllis Satz

Thank you sfrack

Thank you for your comment sfrack,  I agree with you.  One of the issues that PRACTICING SUCKS…But It Doesn’t Have To!!! deals is the fact that young children 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and even older can’t practice by themselves.  They need someone to read their assignments, to tell them what to do, and to encourage them to make enough repetitions of small sections to be productive.  Left to themselves, children will do something two or three times, and whether it’s right or wrong, they’re done.  I do not suggest that the parent or family member learn  to play the instrument along with the child, but sitting with the child (or sometimes the older students as well) while he or he practices often helps a great deal.  In PRACTICING SUCKS…But It Doesn’t Have To!!!, I say that parents of young children ABSOLUTELY should be present at the lesson in order to know what the student learned, what he/she understood or didn’t understand and help reinforce the things the instructor wrote in the assignment book.   (And in these days, it’s also important that they stay, for the sake of safety.)  Music instructors are professionals.  They are not babysitters.  Too many parents drop their young children at the music teacher’s place, and leave. This is not helpful to the young child. The more the parent knows about what goes on at the lesson, the more supportive that parent can be during practice time.    If the instructor won’t allow you in the teaching room, find another instructor.