Q: My son says that he wants to quit piano. He has been taking music for a few years, but he claims to have trouble reading music and learning his assignments. I think that he has a lot of potential if he only practiced more. Should I let him quit? I regret now having asked my parents to quit piano.
A: Many parents have the same feelings when they remember that their own parents allowed them to quit music lessons. Whether he is talented, gifted, or not, unless lessons and practice are structured and goal-oriented, the energy put into instruction will be lost.
Playing music is not something that is taught and absorbed such as literature or history. The first few years, students are being shown new symbols and applying them to their assignments. New music students tend to acquire skills quickly, so they are motivated by the quick progress. This comes to a halt when the music becomes challenging. The novelty wears off, and interest is lost.
If he requires instant gratification:
- Divide the piece that he is learning into smaller parts, asking him to play one section without mistakes, even if it is only a few measures and played very slowly.
- Be very clear of his musical goal of each daily practice session and effectively practice to reach that goal.
- The next day, he reviews the section that he learned, then practices the following section without mistakes. Slowly, he will build confidence and a sense of accomplishment, increasing his motivation and interest.
Remember that patience, responsibility and dedication are taught at home. Most professionals will agree that they did not become masters of their crafts by quitting. Do not bargain with practice goals, unless you want to send signals that practice goals are negotiable.
If he has trouble reading the music, consider flashcards or notebook help.
