tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post6616079397286390342..comments2023-09-22T13:57:20.922-04:00Comments on From The Valley To The Palais: Music practice - where do you start?nappy valley girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788949037047084412noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-87411426709767643772012-01-18T17:05:09.967-05:002012-01-18T17:05:09.967-05:00Hi! I know I'm commenting on a post that's...Hi! I know I'm commenting on a post that's several months old, so forgive me if this comment is unnecessary, but I've really enjoyed looking through your blog, and this is the first one I can really comment on, so here goes!<br /><br />I've played the piano since I was 8 years old, and while I'm an adult now and practice everyday (sometimes even for several hours), when I was younger my parents were lucky to see me practice more than once a week, let alone every day. But, they practically had to drag me away from the piano when it was a piece I enjoyed playing! Thankfully, I'm more disciplined now, but maybe it would help if your kids practiced songs they know and like, at least at first. Like if they enjoy singing Christmas carols (easy ones, like Jingle Bells or something), even though Christmas has passed, then maybe you could ask their teacher to show them how to play them on the piano.Millienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-61864031210651875602011-11-02T01:19:48.239-04:002011-11-02T01:19:48.239-04:00My son's wonderful piano teacher told me that ...My son's wonderful piano teacher told me that she paid her kids to practice in the early years. Her point was that in the beginning, your child is learning music because you want her/him to learn. She didn't pay a lot, but enough to make practice rewarding when it wasn't really fun or musical yet. We never paid for report cards in our family, but I did pay for music practice. I'm sure it's not everyone's answer, but it seemed like a reasonable one for us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-81589960774828293852011-10-20T18:57:32.347-04:002011-10-20T18:57:32.347-04:00We have it a little easier as Miss E (11) is in Ca...We have it a little easier as Miss E (11) is in Cantamus Training Choir so her instrument is her voice - therefore she can take it anywhere. It's still hard to find 'time' though. I love all the advice here. A little is definitely better than nothing. I was forced into piano lessons and grew to hate them. But then my piano teacher was a witch with a snoring dog. Honest.Jo Beaufoixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00957369658590225971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-35421275143140579202011-10-17T18:07:55.589-04:002011-10-17T18:07:55.589-04:00Wish I had the magic advice. My daughter played ce...Wish I had the magic advice. My daughter played cello for about 6 years and enjoyed it, but found practice difficult because it was so much effort just to get the instrument ready. Now she plays piano and will just wander into the room with the piano and start playing at any sort of time in the evening or on weekends and will play for up to an hour. I think that is partly because it's just there waiting to be played, partly because she is older and has caught on quicker (using fun and recognisable tunes helps too), and partly because there's several musicians in the family that enjoy playing or singing (I'm not one of them).Michelloui | The American Residenthttp://www.theamericanresident.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-88446344166330857572011-10-17T02:21:09.585-04:002011-10-17T02:21:09.585-04:00We have the same problem with Boy #1 and guitar. ...We have the same problem with Boy #1 and guitar. He enjoys the lessons, but getting him to practice is a battle. If we manage 3 x a week (only 10 minutes a time), then I think we're winning... Good luck with working out your own compromise!Potty Mummyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04751869800592294891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-38261938413045505452011-10-16T10:48:47.147-04:002011-10-16T10:48:47.147-04:00Half notes, etc, don't sound nearly as poetic,...Half notes, etc, don't sound nearly as poetic, though I suspect they'll be harder to learn. We're doing piano lessons too, and while older boy is loving the lessons (teacher gives stickers...) practice is harder. Our piano is on the first floor so I try and build in a practice, however short, on the way to bath each evening. I get the other children to clap, and he sometimes enjoys making a performance out of it. At other times he really doesn't. Good luck.angelsandurchinsbloghttp://www.angelsandurchins.co.uk/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-4024312084039592272011-10-14T16:14:40.488-04:002011-10-14T16:14:40.488-04:00Oh man, this makes me feel guilty. We're hopel...Oh man, this makes me feel guilty. We're hopeless at practicing at home...think little and often is the answer. Will start new regime on Monday!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08790725880329761329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-15270647262680630812011-10-14T08:54:35.079-04:002011-10-14T08:54:35.079-04:00Wow, lots of fabulous tips here - and different id...Wow, lots of fabulous tips here - and different ideas of when to practice. I think we are going to go with before bath time for the moment and see how it goes. Having said that, Littleboy 1 surprised me by coming home from school the other day and announcing he wanted to practice! (He was still too manic in the lesson, though. Can't have everything).nappy valley girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10788949037047084412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-71500583184378261332011-10-13T16:51:03.163-04:002011-10-13T16:51:03.163-04:00no idea. I would love, love, love for my boys to l...no idea. I would love, love, love for my boys to learn music - and they do violin at school (badly) but just getting them to read Biff and Chip books is a nightmare so I can't imagine getting them to practice an instrument.Home Office Mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18248456622235889204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-82869827624928703632011-10-13T16:03:31.399-04:002011-10-13T16:03:31.399-04:00Oh I'm laughing at you taping your cello pract...Oh I'm laughing at you taping your cello practice! That's hilarious! I remember being 'sacked' by a flute teacher who told my mum I wasn't interested enough and she didn't want to teach me anymore! My mum was so cross with me! But it was on Saturday mornings when all I wanted to do was hang out at the tennis club with my mates looking at all the hot coaches! Love your blog makeover, looks fab!Circles in the Sandhttp://dubaiunveiled.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-70439444520017730712011-10-13T13:12:43.862-04:002011-10-13T13:12:43.862-04:00One of my 8 year old twin boys is learning piano.H...One of my 8 year old twin boys is learning piano.He has an amazing teacher(we're in the UK).She uses the Tunes for Ten Fingers books(very easy tunes,pictures) and he's addicted.He has a keyboard in his bedroom(complete with whizzy buttons) and he plays 2 or 3 times a day without me ever telling him too.He loves the books and the keyboard.Have promised to buy him the easy Beatles piano book(and a piano) if he keeps it up. Making it fun and accessible is the key imvho. .Lot's of praise re the 'music' they're creating tooAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-83008685587180368012011-10-13T11:03:04.136-04:002011-10-13T11:03:04.136-04:00I was also surprised to discover the new identity ...I was also surprised to discover the new identity of crotchets and quavers over here in SA too.<br />My daughter only started the piano at 10 and she tends to practise with just the occasional reminder for about 10 minutes most days. But she has chosen to play and enjoys it, so it's easy enough. Perhaps just have the piano open and in a space where you are anyway so they will gravitate towards it for five minutes or so while you are cooking or something, as Bush Mummy suggested?Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11594062064082350697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-59948086443872668342011-10-13T04:20:55.941-04:002011-10-13T04:20:55.941-04:00Where is your piano/keyboard? Ours is in the kitch...Where is your piano/keyboard? Ours is in the kitchen so they see it pretty much all the time and do tend to gravitate towards it for a few minutes each day. I tend not to force it as like you say don't want to make it a chore. <br /><br />Or find another friend to do practise with?<br /><br />But as someone else has said, maybe don't push it if they aren't showing great interest? My eldest is just ready at seven and a half but there is no way the five year old would play!<br /><br />Good luck!<br /><br />BM xBush Mummyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03527939624765411649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-31951736881395368062011-10-12T13:41:13.781-04:002011-10-12T13:41:13.781-04:00We used to do 10 minutes or so in the morning befo...We used to do 10 minutes or so in the morning before school but then that was working on English school times.<br /><br />Interesting comment about the names of notes, I too assumed they were universal terms.<br /><br />JxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-5580588076409501142011-10-12T08:26:32.836-04:002011-10-12T08:26:32.836-04:0010-15 minutes a day either after breakfast or afte...10-15 minutes a day either after breakfast or after bath time. That's what works best for us!Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03085166531956492549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-23318452975625109582011-10-12T07:44:32.036-04:002011-10-12T07:44:32.036-04:00Depending on how nuts your morning routine is firs...Depending on how nuts your morning routine is first thing worked well for us when I was small - gets it out of the way before the day starts and avoids post school fightsMuddling Alonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04702217530704657676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-21816926673704713192011-10-11T20:20:24.623-04:002011-10-11T20:20:24.623-04:00Like Iota, we don't really have a set time, an...Like Iota, we don't really have a set time, and it it's not every day I don't wig out either. ONe thing I do know from having the teens do violin - if they don't want to practice, it may be because they're not that into it. The 8 year old is taking piano and LOVES it. He practices even when I don't remind him, and rarely complains. Contrast that with the other two who had to be cajoled, bribed and threatened - threatened with me stopping the lessons, and they were the ones who didn't want to stop. (I think it was guilt though.)<br />My 16 year old has been playing guitar for three years now. First thing he does when he comes in from school is go straight up to his room and play guitar. That's when you know they're really into it. <br />I suppose what I'm saying is if it's a big battle, why bother? They might come round in a few years.Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-8401033940177794832011-10-11T19:39:33.742-04:002011-10-11T19:39:33.742-04:00I'm not a fan of doing homework right after sc...I'm not a fan of doing homework right after school, either (and I'm a teacher); I think kids need some 'down' time after they get home from school.<br />My boys always did their practicing as part of general homework time (first with piano and later with violin, cello, and trumpet...violin was sooooo painful!)When they were smaller, I sat with them at the piano and we worked together - they seemed to enjoy the one-on-one time with me. You could also consider doing a sticker chart or a reward system. When they get more proficient, practice time can also be an impromptu concert...my kids always loved performing for an audience...oh, and I've never heard of crotchets, quavers or minims, either! New vocabulary for the day!MsCarolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03623997911568143459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-70267606243665302562011-10-11T19:38:00.001-04:002011-10-11T19:38:00.001-04:00Little and often. Or even just little! Five minute...Little and often. Or even just little! Five minutes or ten minutes at their ages is fine. They can build up in time. If you insist on 20 minutes, then it won't happen.<br /><br />How about just before the whole bathtime-bedtime routine starts? Or are they very wound up at that time? How about bath, then piano, then stories, then bed?<br /><br />I must admit I don't have a fixed time. I just fit it in where I can, and I very much go with the "it won't be fun if it becomes a chore" mentality. Better to make slow progress than to start hating it and give up.<br /><br />I think the key is to find a really fun teacher.<br /><br />Laughing at you taping your practice and sitting reading a comic instead!Iota https://www.blogger.com/profile/08507184283437057648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-63231528076601659772011-10-11T17:47:37.855-04:002011-10-11T17:47:37.855-04:00I played violin until 16 and not particularly well...I played violin until 16 and not particularly well either! I really didn't practice enough, and when I took private lessons they were a bit wasted on me because of this. <br /><br />I have no idea of the solution but maybe it has something to do with them actually enjoying it enough to want to practice, even for 10 mins a day? Then they might consider it more of a treat than a chore...Tanya (Bump2Basics)https://www.blogger.com/profile/11190613569079236305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-26232861291614103692011-10-11T15:45:03.470-04:002011-10-11T15:45:03.470-04:00It depends on the kid. Some families find that slo...It depends on the kid. Some families find that slotting in 15 minutes of practice works best in the morning when everybody is bright eyed and bushy tailed (and you can maneuver the day slightly by, say, putting him to bed in his school clothes instead of his PJs to save time in the morning, or having him eat a breakfast on the go some days). <br /><br />Others find it's best before playtime.<br /><br />Me, I find the nieces do everything better if they take a break in between school and work. Which sometimes means homework gets done after dinner. <br /><br />Sadly, we can't give advice for everybody because every kid is different. <br /><br />Try playing around with different times until you find the one that's best for each kid.Conulynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7290395635850697105.post-85016027382356572022011-10-11T15:04:43.856-04:002011-10-11T15:04:43.856-04:00No idea. Adam keeps hinting he'd like piano le...No idea. Adam keeps hinting he'd like piano lessons and I'm in denial - for precisely this reason - I have no idea how we'd fit the practice in around everything else. intrigued to know what you come up with!Dorset Dispatcheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10457466586411004146noreply@blogger.com