north bay trumpet studio

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Parental Role in Music Lessons

Typical New Student Parent Comment: "I want to help my child get the most out of their lessons and make sure they are practicing the right material and the right amount each week."

Teacher Response to New Student Parent: "How would you propose going about that?"

• Be sure to ask the child IF they are interested in taking lessons.
• Be sure to ask WHY they are interested in taking lessons.
• Never help a child with a task that they can succeed at on their own.
• A parent (and teacher) should move from helping regularly to "being available" (learning not to help).
• Assistance can be replaced by the guidance provided by asking a question and stimulating the child to answer find their own solutions.
• A casual "nod" and smile after a practice session that has gone well is adequate support.
• A parent can act as a non-judgmental listener and progress monitor 1 or 2 times a week.
• (Guidelines for this can be provided by the teacher via email upon request.)
• Listening to music together followed by the comment: "I am sure you could do that by the time you graduate from high school if you continue to practice and take lessons."
• The question: "What are you working on right now?" can be an effective focus tool.
• This may also open a brief discussion of the content of a lesson and what instructions or tasks are on the horizon during the new week.
• If a child is working on something they already sound good on, encouragement to begin to work more on things they can not yet do well might be helpful.
• A little encouragement goes a long way.
• If a student gets a little encouragement, they will be inspired to repeat the behavior that was praised.
• Curiosity about the student's "process" of cleaning their instrument, holding their instrument, practicing, can be helpful and inspiring.
• Everyone likes to share something about a subject that they know and about themselves.

Concluding Teacher Remark: "If you are interested in helping your child, the best thing you can do is be available."