practise

[kimba1055]

hi i have a five years old she take piano for abouth one years went she go to pianp lesson she do everything the teacher said.my problem is went i ask her to practice at home she don't want to do it  what can i do to make her practice i don't want to force her to do it any advice thanx {sorry for my english i'm t my best}

[allthumbs]

Greetings kimba

Your daughter started piano when she was about 4 years old, correct?

Was she the one who showed the interest in taking piano lessons or was it you who pushed her into it?

Children, who had no say in the decision, often show a lack of interest or motivation.

Perhaps she is too young to take lessons at this time. Maybe she has to wait a year or two.

The desire to practice has to come from within. Parents can and should encourage their child to practice, but the child has to have some self-motivation.

Even 'good' kids need some encouragement now and again, but if you have to constantly nag your daughter to practice, she just may not be as interested in piano as you had hoped.

In any event, constant practice battles will just make her eventually hate the piano to the point she may never learn to play.

I would do a couple of things to start. First I would sit down with your child and ask her if she enjoys playing the piano. If she does enjoy it, try to find out why she is having difficulty getting herself to practice.

Second, I would talk to the teacher about the problem. Ask the teacher, (if you haven't been observing lessons), what she thinks the problem may be. Perhaps a change in teaching strategy or method book would help.

Third, assuming the first two outcomes are positive, have a meeting with your daughter and teacher and let your daughter have some input into what's happening with her lessons.

Often, when someone has a stake in what's happening that involves them (taking lessons), they will take ownership towards the outcome (practicing).


Good luck!


allthumbs

[m1469]

What is she being asked to practise, exactly (what kind of music, etc) ?

[kimba1055]

Greetings kimba

Your daughter started piano when she was about 4 years old, correct?

Was she the one who showed the interest in taking piano lessons or was it you who pushed her into it?

Children, who had no say in the decision, often show a lack of interest or motivation.

Perhaps she is too young to take lessons at this time. Maybe she has to wait a year or two.

The desire to practice has to come from within. Parents can and should encourage their child to practice, but the child has to have some self-motivation.

Even 'good' kids need some encouragement now and again, but if you have to constantly nag your daughter to practice, she just may not be as interested in piano as you had hoped.

In any event, constant practice battles will just make her eventually hate the piano to the point she may never learn to play.

I would do a couple of things to start. First I would sit down with your child and ask her if she enjoys playing the piano. If she does enjoy it, try to find out why she is having difficulty getting herself to practice.

Second, I would talk to the teacher about the problem. Ask the teacher, (if you haven't been observing lessons), what she thinks the problem may be. Perhaps a change in teaching strategy or method book would help.

Third, assuming the first two outcomes are positive, have a meeting with your daughter and teacher and let your daughter have some input into what's happening with her lessons.

Often, when someone has a stake in what's happening that involves them (taking lessons), they will take ownership towards the outcome (practicing).


Good luck!


allthumbs

thanx for your help but my point is went we go to piano lessons she do so good that i can not even believe it ,but if i ask her to practice with me she never want to do it i don't know what to do i been thinkin of taking her to piano lessons 4 days a week know she is only taking 45 minutes on saturday.

[kimba1055]

What is she being asked to practise, exactly (what kind of music, etc) ?

that is emily that is from 4 month ago. i don't have nothing new .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXpUegxco

[allthumbs]

thanx for your help but my point is went we go to piano lessons she do so good that i can not even believe it ,but if i ask her to practice with me she never want to do it i don't know what to do i been thinkin of taking her to piano lessons 4 days a week know she is only taking 45 minutes on saturday.

Did you even read my post?

It's not a question of how well she does at the lesson; the problem is your daughter does not want to practice!

Taking her to 4 lessons a week is not going to solve the problem. Not practicing is only the symptom of the problem.

The task you have is to find out the cause and come up with a solution.

To do otherwise is to flog a dead horse.


allthumbs

[amelialw]

the link does not work.

yes, taking 4 lessons a week will not help at all, she just does'nt want to practise

[m1469]

Actually, taking her to lessons 4 days a week could be really great and it can indeed be very helpful (depending) !

At any rate, no matter how many days a week she is going to lessons, guidance in how to practice should indeed be part of what she is already learning.

But, if you cannot show us a link (it doesn't work, as amelia said) -- can you please write and post what it is she is working on ?  That may be very helpful for us to know .  

[kimba1055]

the link does not work.

yes, taking 4 lessons a week will not help at all, she just does'nt want to practise

but the think is i feel she is actin like that is becouse she is home and she just want to see tv .how went we are in lesson she is so good and do everything the teacher ask her to do is like another person.

[m1469]

Also, you will want to talk with teacher about this if it matters that much to you (as allthumbs suggests).  It may be that your daughter feels her piano teacher is "in charge" of her piano education and she doesn't feel she has to listen to you if you request for her to practice.

If that is the case, this means that she respects her piano teacher very much (which is appropriate and good ) -- in which case, it could be as easy as teacher telling your daughter that teacher expects her to listen to you, too, when you ask her to practice.  And, this is what teacher expects of her and this is what it means to be a "big-girl" piano student  .

[kimba1055]

but the think is i feel she is actin like that is becouse she is home and she just want to see tv .how went we are in lesson she is so good and do everything the teacher ask her to do is like another person this week she is learning german dance {jeseph haydn}

[kimba1055]

What is she being asked to practise, exactly (what kind of music, etc) ?

i don't know what to think  i have a good relationship with her maybe she respect the teacher and she just like more to joke with me than take something series with me.
sorry for my english i'm doing my best guys.
joseph haydn  german dance

leopold mozart  humoresque

and some  ukrainian folk song

[kimba1055]

Also, you will want to talk with teacher about this if it matters that much to you (as allthumbs suggests).  It may be that your daughter feels her piano teacher is "in charge" of her piano education and she doesn't feel she has to listen to you if you request for her to practice.

If that is the case, this means that she respects her piano teacher very much (which is appropriate and good ) -- in which case, it could be as easy as teacher telling your daughter that teacher expects her to listen to you, too, when you ask her to practice.  And, this is what teacher expects of her and this is what it means to be a "big-girl" piano student  .

but the think is i feel she is actin like that is becouse she is home and she just want to see tv .how went we are in lesson she is so good and do everything the teacher ask her to do is like another person this week she is learning german dance {jeseph haydn}

[m1469]

i don't know what to think  i have a good relationship with her maybe she respect the teacher and she just like more to joke with me than take something series with me.
sorry for my english i'm doing my best guys.
joseph haydn  german dance

leopold mozart  humoresque

and some  ukrainian folk song

Well, whatever your relationship with her is will carry over into her endeavors as well.  You know that relationship best, of course.

Aside from her good behavior with her teacher and her doing what the teacher asks, does she actually play these pieces well in the lesson ?

[kimba1055]

Well, whatever your relationship with her is will carry over into her endeavors as well.  You know that relationship best, of course.

Aside from her good behavior with her teacher and her doing what the teacher asks, does she actually play these pieces well in the lesson ?

for her age i can said very good sometime we don't practice at all and went we go to the lesson and she play the piece you can see the teacher smile and she reply to emily good work .maybe i do a video today and posted so you can see her new piece.sorry my english

[m1469]

for her age i can said very good sometime we don't practice at all and went we go to the lesson and she play the piece you can see the teacher smile and she reply to emily good work .maybe i do a video today and posted so you can see her new piece.sorry my english

Well, first of all, you don't need to apologize for your english, I can understand you just fine .  But, if you can post a video, that's fine.  However, from what it sounds like, she is not practising because she is not challenged enough and knows she doesn't need to.  It sounds like it is easy for her.  At this point, for you, I don't know that I would worry too much about talking with her about it and trying to pressure her to go to the instrument -- rather, I would talk with the teacher about it.

I think practising is good, obviously, and there is a lot to be said for consistent practise -- but, sometimes, for some people, "practise" can be a *very* broad thing.  It can be taking place mentally and even subconsciously for some people, and sometimes not fussing at the instrument is perhaps even better in some regards.  I have never said that before on the forum here, but I think it is true in some cases.

But, I would urge you to check in with the teacher and see how she feels about this.  And, I would urge you to follow what the teacher suggests.  I have one boy who is very quick -- he goes to the piano everyday because he wants to and not because I have requested this.  He is picking things up at a rate that is a bit abnormal in my studio -- I have talked with his mother about this (when she comes to me about him), but have requested several times that she does not say a *word* to him about any of this. 

I also know that his school teachers have said that he doesn't apply himself to anything in school and that they would really like to see him make more of an effort (because he could do even better) -- he feels that everything is easy for him.  Well, he applies himself to piano and music ... I wonder why ?  His mother is very intrigued by this, as a matter of fact, because she sees her son doing exactly what he was critized for not doing in anything else in his life.

In my opinion, he needs to just keep enjoying what he is doing and not feel any pressure beyond what I give him, because I think it will stunt his growth if he starts getting involved in what is actually solely MY business, at this point.  I also don't want him to know that anything he is doing is above average.  He doesn't seem to need to know that right now and seems to simply take pleasure in what we are doing -- right now, that is a golden opportunity for me to best help him.

From what it sounds like, your daughter does enjoy playing, and she likes her teacher.  It sounds to me like she could use more of the type of challenge that would be like a bit of a puzzle for her mind, and make her want to sit down and figure it out (if she is a quick learner, she will probably be most entertained by the right kind of challenge), but, this is up to her teacher and not anybody else (including me).

[kimba1055]

Well, first of all, you don't need to apologize for your english, I can understand you just fine .  But, if you can post a video, that's fine.  However, from what it sounds like, she is not practising because she is not challenged enough and knows she doesn't need to.  It sounds like it is easy for her.  At this point, for you, I don't know that I would worry too much about talking with her about it and trying to pressure her to go to the instrument -- rather, I would talk with the teacher about it.

I think practising is good, obviously, and there is a lot to be said for consistent practise -- but, sometimes, for some people, "practise" can be a *very* broard thing.  It can be taking place mentally and even subconsciously for some people, and sometimes not fussing at the instrument is perhaps even better in some regards.  I have never said that before on the forum here, but I think it is true in some cases.

But, I would urge you to check in with the teacher and see how she feels about this.  And, I would urge you to follow what the teacher suggests.  I have one boy who is very quick -- he goes to the piano everyday because he wants to and not because I have requested this.  He is picking things up at a rate that is a bit abnormal in my studio -- I have talked with his mother about this (when she comes to me about him), but have requested several times that she does not say a *word* to him about any of this. 

I also know that his school teachers have said that he doesn't apply himself to anything in school and that they would really like to see him make more of an effort (because he could do even better) -- he feels that everything is easy for him.  Well, he applies himself to piano and music ... I wonder why ?  His mother is very intrigued by this, as a matter of fact, because she sees her son doing exactly what he was critized for not doing in anything else in his life.

In my opinion, he needs to just keep enjoying what he is doing and not feel any pressure beyond what I give him, because I think it will stunt his growth if he starts getting involved in what is actually solely MY business, at this point.  I also don't want him to know that anything he is doing is above average.  He doesn't seem to need to know that right now and seems to simply take pleasure in what we are doing -- right now, that is a golden opportunity for me to best help him.

From what it sounds like, your daughter does enjoy playing, and she likes her teacher.  It sounds to me like she could use more of the type of challenge that would be like a bit of a puzzle for her mind, and make her want to sit down and figure it out (if she is a quick learner, she will probably be most entertained by the right kind of challenge), but, this is up to her teacher and not anybody else (including me).

waoo i have to thanx you for your reply is very nice of you .abouth emily i think she is very talented the piece she is learning are not easy for her age, and she play them like if she play then for years i'm making a video of a piece she have last week so you can look at her looking like a 7 years old she is only 5 years and 6 month old.

[scrumhalf]

Practice for a 5 year old is really tricky.  You and I know (and slightly older kids do as well) that practice, while not very interesting, is necessary for becoming good.  Remember, this is a 5 year old we are talking about... they have not yet developed the concept of postponement of gratification, that in order to make beautiful music tomorrow, you have to learn the not-so-beautiful mechanics. 

My son is 7 years old and has been playing for 2 years.  He has shown some aptitude and talent for the piano and his last "serious" piece was the Beethoven Sonatina in G, which I think is a reasonably challenging piece for a 7 year old.  However, he still has his days when he doesn't want to practice and would rather go out and play or read a book or watch TV or whatever.   He really likes to listen to piano music on the radio or on CD or watch music videos and loves pieces like the Appassionata or the Emperor concerto.  Only recently does he really *get* the argument that yes, if you want to play the Appassionata a few years down the road, you need to work on your etudes.

What I have done with him is to sit next to him at the piano and work on his pieces line by line.  This I found to be key - I think it is hard for kids this young to focus and concentrate on their own.  We only take small sections of his music, one hand at a time so that he can a) get a sense of accomplishment at the end of the session that he has learned something and b) get a sense from day to day of progress - left hand 1st page 1 day, right hand first page the 2nd, both hands 1st 2 lines the 3rd day, etc. etc.    By biting off small pieces, we started off playing not more than 20-25 minutes when he was 5 years old, to about 45 minutes to 1 hour these days.

Take it slowly, participate in your child's session (just don't tell her to go practice..), be lavish with your praise and you will find her making progress.

[m1469]

waoo i have to thanx you for your reply is very nice of you .abouth emily i think she is very talented the piece she is learning are not easy for her age, and she play them like if she play then for years i'm making a video of a piece she have last week so you can look at her looking like a 7 years old she is only 5 years and 6 month old.

You're welcome .

[kimba1055]

You're welcome .

not perfect but she learned in 4 days hope you like it any comment are welcome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hvssm4lm0     new one hope it work.

[prettypianoplaying]

Unfortunately I cannot see the link to your daughter playing

From my experience as a piano teacher and once a piano student myself, I don't believe ASKING a child to practice or allowing them to "self-motivate" themselves to practice, in most cases, is going to get any piano practicing done.  It would be nice not to have to ask our children to practice and to see them sit down at the piano by themselves and enjoy practicing, but in most cases, children view piano practice like they view their homework, WORK.  A manageable amount of homework is good for children because they gain the knowledge and develop many aspects of their character.  Same with piano practice.  And as a child, THEY DON'T KNOW that it is good for them and that it will benefit them in the long run, which is why they should be forced, to a certain extent, otherwise they may miss a great opportunity which they won't realize until they're older.

I was one of those children that didn't enjoy practicing piano for the first 5 years of learning to play.  If it weren't for my mother who forced me to practice piano, I would've quit for sure.  But since she forced me to practice and take piano lessons once a week, after 5 years (12 years old, grade 5 piano) I didn't have to be forced to practice anymore.  I became self-motivated and practiced about 4 hours almost everyday and started flying through the grades until I received my ARCT before I finished highschool (I was teaching piano at the same time as well).

Piano has now become a large part of my life, and I owe it to my mother for forcing me to practice for those first few years.

Your daughter is very young, in my opinion, for piano lessons although I have not seen your video you posted.  Take some of the comments people have posted for you, such as sitting with your daughter while she practices (especially if you know how to play piano already), motivating and encouraging her by listening to piano music of a higher level (that's what motivated me), practicing several times a day (10 minutes at a time) instead of doing it all at once which could be very tiring for a young child, etc.

[m1469]

Well, just to be clear, it's not that I disagree with piano practising everyday or with parent-involvement altogether, but, it is different for each child and family.  I would say, kimba, to take your child to piano lessons for 4 days a week before you start sitting with her everyday for practise, unless you have worked out with her teacher on what, exactly, you would be sitting with her for.  If you sit in on lessons and really *know* what to look for in your daughter's playing, and the teacher has provided you with some specific things to help your daughter with, then sitting with your daughter during practise is most appropriate.

The reality of piano practise, though, if they go on for any greater length of time as pianists, is that it involves potentially *a lot* of alone time.   This is why, from the beginning, the focus should mostly be on the musical feats themselves and on helping the child learn how to feel the "company" of the music.

In any event, I don't believe we are actually discussing an individual who does not like piano and does not like practising.  I think we are discussing an individual who is smart and knows exactly what she needs or doesn't need in order to show up to her lessons and "pass the test."  That is very different.  In that case, sitting there and forcing her to practise with something she is completely bored with (because it's too easy for her), will be even more stifling for her growth than would be her not practising at all if she really needed it.

There is really no reason that a child, even at the earliest ages and even from the very beginning, can't be very much self-motivated if things are approached properly and there is some guidence for this.  This is actually true about any subject, too.  But, even the most motivated ones do indeed need help in that area once in a while  .

Once again, though, I would urge kimba not to just take our word for it, but to talk with the teacher.