when a student loses interest in piano playing

[go12_3]

I need some input please.  Today, after my (almost 7 years old) student( a boy) finished his lesson, his mom needed some advice:  He is losing interest in playing the piano and she doesn't know what to do about it.  He has begun lessons last Summer, and knows how to read the notes in middle C position and low C position.  The mother still wants him to take lessons.  Yet, I wonder that my student showed such an interest when he first began lessons because it was so new and exciting, and fun; and now it's more work to play the music.  Perhaps he needs to have a break from lessons until he is older, would that be a good thing for him?  I told the mom to let him play piano without the practicing, just let him have a break this week and see what happens. He has been doing fine at his lessons, however, today I sensed he wasn't as happy as he used to be.  I asked him if he enjoyed playing the piano, "I dunno."  I am aware that this mother wants the best for her son and would do anything for him.  I mentioned to her to play the piano so that he can hear her play.  She knows some of the notes and could play from his books. That got her thinking.  Children do watch their parents and may show an interest.       Thanks!  go12_3  = )

[javacisnotrecognized]

What pieces have you taught him so far?

[go12_3]

I talked to a piano instructor and friend in my hometown this morning.  She gave me some ideas on a book my student might enjoy and some of her insights also.  In a few weeks I'll see  if his attitude changes in playing the piano.  My young student is sweet and has progressed very well these past few months.  So I'll continue to teach him and hopefully, the plan that my friend shared with me will work.   

[go12_3]

Well,  I had a "good lesson" post a week ago, about my young student.  Now today, the mother called to inform me that Justin isn't interested in piano at all.  She told me she can't force him to love the piano.  I did the improv with him on Twinkles and I thought he would love playing that.  However,  even the best of intentions in being a teacher cannot fulfill all the expectations......and I'm sorry about that. I feel I have let myself down as a teacher, that is was my responsibility to make my young student love piano, but that's how it goes, I suppose.....either a student love or not love the piano.....perhaps later in Justin's life he will come to enjoy it. 

[lostinidlewonder]

A teachers job is not to keep the student interested to learn the piano. The student first must have a personal interest with the instrument, then want to develop their discipline and approach to their work with their teacher. If they are not excited about that or interested in the process of learning music and improving upon that, you can't do anything. Sure you can choose and select pieces they like the sound of but in the end they have to want to do the hard yards of practice to get anywhere.

I have students who are forced to learn the piano because their parents believe that all their kids have to learn a musical instrument. The kids submit to their parents desire but I tell them to focus on what their parents are doing for them. I tell them that it is a luxury to have a private teacher who teaches you music. How their parents spend good money to give them a chance to play music, something that can be fun all on your own or shared with others. Young children love to have prizes so I lure their interest through bribery. But they in the end have to practice at least on their own, most that lose interest only practice a few minutes before a lesson or during the lesson with the teacher ! Often I tell disinterested students, wow see how much work you can get through when we work together, imagine how much you could do on your own!

[go12_3]

By the way,  I won't be teaching students any younger than 8 years old.....because I feel they don't comprehend what they want to do and even when the parent does support them and have that desire for their child to learn; it behooves me to bribe a child to learn to play piano with games and candy.  I never did that.  The child needs to recognize that the reward comes  from playing pieces from such a fine instrument. The younger ones that I did teach usually felt it was too hard or too much work.  There are expections, though, when there are young children that thrive on learning an instrument and that is great.  So. it goes with my young student, he lost interest and I can't force him to love piano. But later, in a few years, he may return to playing piano.  He is musicial and does like to play the guitar though.  I told Justin's mom that he is welcome to return whenever he shows an interest.  The door is open in my studio and I would never ban a student out if that cannot continue lessons. Sure, I feel this left-down, but guess what, I will always have new students and that is part of the profession of a teacher.  Expect the unexpected,  there will always be students that come and go no matter what their ages are.

[aslanov]

By the way,  I won't be teaching students any younger than 8 years old.....because I feel they don't comprehend what they want to do and even when the parent does support them and have that desire for their child to learn; it behooves me to bribe a child to learn to play piano with games and candy.  I never did that.  The child needs to recognize that the reward comes  from playing pieces from such a fine instrument. The younger ones that I did teach usually felt it was too hard or too much work.  There are expections, though, when there are young children that thrive on learning an instrument and that is great.  So. it goes with my young student, he lost interest and I can't force him to love piano. But later, in a few years, he may return to playing piano.  He is musicial and does like to play the guitar though.  I told Justin's mom that he is welcome to return whenever he shows an interest.  The door is open in my studio and I would never ban a student out if that cannot continue lessons. Sure, I feel this left-down, but guess what, I will always have new students and that is part of the profession of a teacher.  Expect the unexpected,  there will always be students that come and go no matter what their ages are.

why stop at 8? is that a borderline of some sort? I think if a child shows interest at any age, even if it is an infantile sort of interest because its a new thing for them, its best to try and nurture it, and help them develop genuine interest and love for the piano.  I really wish someone forced me to play at a younger age. im 18 now and have been learning on my own for the past year, and recently have had about 12 lessons.

[go12_3]

aslanov,
      Indeed you do not realize that the mother and I have tried to get my young student interested in playing piano.  I certainly can't be in the position to make him love it.  Some children show an interest and truly progress,  but if a child is forced to play piano, then he/she will not do well in lessons.
      I know what you are indicating that how much you wished you learned at an earlier age.  I played when I was a child, but with hardly any teachers.  I had no lessons all through high school, but I still loved playing piano and when I attended college I had the opportunity to have a fine teacher for a couple of years. 
     Therefore, I think it is the individual that has to have that interest.  And sometimes, as a teacher, I have to make a choice on what is the best age to teach a student.  Sure, I have taught some 6 year olds and they have enjoyed playing the piano, but their progress is different than as with an 8 year old student.   I don't think force, as you mentioned in your post, is the answer in order to nurture a child's interest in piano.  Be it as it may, my young student could return and resume lessons, at least he had 6 months of lessons and has learned to read notes.  One day he may enjoy piano.  I have done all I could to show what he could play on the piano through improvisation.  I thought that would be the key in keeping his interest.  But it didn't.  So do not assume that each child has to be nurtured, therefore it has to be innate also, in order for him/her to love playing piano.

[jgallag]

Go, after taking the time to read your posts, I think I understand your situation better. It's interesting, I mean, not entirely surprising with kids, which is why I believe parents should get them to stick with it until their older. Also, you said his mother came to lessons. What about his father? Is he interested in Justin's music and supportive of him? Kids need both, not one or the other.

I was wondering, what have you tried exactly? What types of repertoire have you exposed him to? He seems, from what you said, to be a beginning student. Have you tried the student/teacher duets you find around? Perhaps it's the music that's bothering him. He might have imagined being able to play great pieces he heard, and finding now that he has to go through these intermediate stages may have discouraged him.

Does he ever listen to classical piano music? You might recommend that his Mom buy a few piano collections. Even if they don't inspire him, surely she might enjoy them herself, and then it wouldn't be a waste.

I also said school was good for me with the piano too. Are there issues at school that are affecting him negatively? Did he get teased for playing a "girly" instrument? Do people there ignore him when he wants to share his musical skills? Unfortunately, kids spend a lot of time at school which begins to draw them away from family. If he's still in first grade, maybe the wonder of being a school for a full day has worn off, and now it's a source of unhappiness.

If there's no depression, no unhappiness that his mother can find that would spark a loss of interest in something he formerly enjoyed, perhaps you're right. Maybe he does need a break. Either way, the mother seems to be very interested in music, especially if she goes to his lessons and tries to learn his music. Perhaps she should take lessons for herself?

I'm taking stabs in the dark, here. The bottom line, I'm gettng from you, is that Justin has lost an interest in piano lessons. His parents must find out why to decide the next course of action. Why did he used to like piano lessons? What about lessons now bothers him? What changed?

[go12_3]

jgallgag,  I appreciate your response which gives me much reflection upon Justin's loss of interest and the whys and the whats.  I think he just wanted to try out the piano, and with his age, things apt to change.

I don't know.  I am not the family counselor and it seems that the parents are fine people, even the father was supportive.  They didn't want to push Justin anymore to drive him away from piano.  Therefore, Justin just needs a break and I mentioned to his mom that he is more than welcome to take lessons again.  I think Justin enjoyed his lessons, the note learning process which got him into mid-beginner level.  I have my students enjoy their lessons, and challenge them with ideas about music.  Justin was an exceptional student for his age.

The I dunno stage a few weeks ago, surprised me when his mom and I asked him what he wanted to learn on the piano. I am sure he might start lessons later.  The mom was abit wishy-washy about taking lessons.....she claimed she was too tired.  She has a full time job, so that is a factor to consider why she won't take lessons. Anyhow,  I have learned a lot through this experience with Justin----it's hard to pin point what determined his change of heart towards piano.  And I hope that someday he will resume lessons.