My 12 year old son recently decided to take up playing a musical instrument. The trombone to be specific.
I was excited for him to begin lessons, to maybe find something to be passionate about the way that several of his siblings have found things about which to be passionate. Then we got the instrument and he began practicing, and let me say that this brings a whole new meaning to the word patient. It sounds like an elephant dying a slow and painful death.
This really is not the “problem” and to be honest I use the word problem for lack of a better word. The “problem” is that he chooses to practice when he is bored. Usually this means that one of his brothers has decided to sit down and watch a tv show that he doesn’t like. I can tell you that this doesn’t go over too well.
The past few days I have been encouraging him to practice first thing in the morning, outside on the back porch. Share the love with the neighbors, I say. Perhaps scare off some wild animals, I don’t say but think. I think having a set time each day has helped. We all know that at that particular time of day he will be practicing. No making important phone calls, no watching tv or listening to music. It is only half an hour.
The music instructor told me that most of his students do not practice. I have to wonder how much of the non practicing is the result of not finding the the right time in the family.
Those of you who have children that play musical instruments how do you encourage them to practice? Do you set up a time of day? Do you have it on a schedule like you do chores?
And please tell me that soon the sounds he is making will sound like actual musical notes. Please?
Soon he will be doing scales that sound like notes.
not sure that is an improvement, but, there it is.
Comment by Ani — August 15, 2009 @ 5:04 pm
yes, its a sign that your child is heading off to a great start not to mention that i played the trumpet…but yes.. Congrads!
Comment by Skater's mom — August 16, 2009 @ 7:35 am
aS LONG AS HE PRACTICES HE WILL GET BETTER AND YOU WILL HEAR WHAT SOUNDS LIKE MUSIC.
NOW IF HE DOES NOT PRACTICE THE MUSIC WILL NOT COME. MINE ALL TRIED INSTUMENTS AND THEY PRACTICED AT FIRST BUT THEN THEY WOULD SAY I KNOW IT AND NOT EVEN TOUCH THE INSTRUMENT. NEEDLESS TO SAY WE HAVE NO BAND STUDENTS. 2 OF THEM WERE PRETTY GOOD BUT WITHOUT THE PRACTICE THEY DID NOT GET BETTER AND DID NOT STICK TO IT.
AND I AM LOVING THE MORNING ON THE PORCH SO THE NEIGHBORS CAN ALSO ENJOY
Comment by tammy — August 16, 2009 @ 11:55 am
My son took up the french horn, and the results were similar. However, he was able to practice “mouthing” the piece without the horn in place, making it almost silent. When he did play, it had to be in his room (other side of the house from TV) and with the door closed. Once he felt he “mastered” (and I use that tern loosely for the first 6 months” he came out during commercials to play for his siblings. It worked fairly well, though we did have to lower the tv volume to regular decibels after practice. He eventually went to summer camp and was asked to be the bugler!
Comment by Claire — August 27, 2009 @ 12:26 pm
Yeah, I love it when kids start musical instruments! I too played the french horn and only now as an adult do I realize what the adults in my life went through to allow me that wonderful opportunity. First I think about the band director who takes a bunch of kids who have never even touched an instrument and by Christmas they are able to give a performance. Amazing! And then of course the parents who endure that first year of “music”. be patient. It really does get better. And when you really think about how complex playing an instrument is, it’s amazing how “quickly” they improve. For practice time I think a closed bedroom is best. You could also look into getting a mute which stifles the sound a bit. Are there practice tooms at the school? These are usually sound proof and he could maybe stay after a bit to get his practice time in. Being involved in band is a really good thing for kids. There are studies proving that playing a musical instrument improves the way their brains develop and makes them better students. Not to mention the camraderie, the memories and lifelong friends he’ll make. Most of those school friends that I am still friends with today were fellow band members. And many of them have become band directors themselves. keep up the good work mom! You are doing a great thing for your son.
Comment by Jennifer A — September 3, 2009 @ 8:25 am