Teaching my daughter how to play

[elota]

I'm play a bit of piano and i've been trying to teach my daughter who is six (6) since the last one year but we haven't made much progress. The problem is that she seems interested but after abut 5 to 10 minutes into the lesson, she gets bored. I can't afford to send her to another teacher. i know music will come into handy and i really want her to learn. So any tips from anyone who has gone through the same problem?

[aintgotnorhythm]

I have tried the following with my daughters:
- as many duets as possible, e.g. the John Thompson easy piano course books have lots of pieces with accompaniments right from the start (e.g. the student plays middle C semibreves with alternating thumbs and the teacher plays a more interesting accompaniment)
- after practising together, do a "show" for the rest of the family
- find music she likes, e.g. go to a music store together and have her choose something
- as well as a piano, get a cheap electronic keyboard or melodica for her to play with
- if you can find a local music group for kids of a similar age, even if it's a different instrument, get her to try it out (my youngest daughter joined a beginner violin group at age 7 and now at 9 she plays in the local junior orchestra beginner section), this really helps with learning to read music/sight read
- try to make it a routine that she practises at the same time each day

Good luck!

[asiantraveller101]

Hi Elota,
I am glad that you have started lessons with your daughter. However, not to discourage you nor want to "pour cold water on your effort", from my over 25 years of teaching experience, parent-to-child music learning rarely works out smoothly, unless the parent(s) really know what he/she are doing. There are too many variables when a parent tries to teach his/her kid at home. For example, the phone may go off, or she is bored and starts to act up, or the stove needs to be attended to, or your other kid(s) need attention, etc etc.  Ideally, it is best to have her under an experienced music teacher. However, I know you mentioned that you cannot afford to send her to another teacher. So, here are some of my suggestions to you:
1. You need to minimize the variables. Set a time and place where you and your child get all the attention, with no distraction at all. Your husband nor other kids may NOT interrupt when the lesson is on.
2. Routine, routine, routine. Lesson and practice time is fixed, not whenever you can find the time or when she is not tired.
3. Express your expectations to your daughter. That is a private one-to-one time, and mom is going to teach and guide her in learning piano. She cannot be bored or tired, or needs a drink or go to the bathroom! All that will be done before the actual lesson begins.
4. Rotate your music activity. I notice your other post regarding rhythm training. Do some playing, then switch off and do rhythm training on the floor, and back to piano, and then some theory games, etc.
5. Set goals for her. For example, after a few weeks or months, "we are going to put up a mini recital for grandparents, or friends"; etc.
6. Reward and praise her for good work. I don't know what attract kids nowadays. Maybe something like, if you finish learning this book, we are going to the barbie doll fair (?!) or something like that!
Well, Elota, hope the suggestions help. Sieve through them and see if they make any sense or may work. Good luck and keep us posted!
 

[jonnyjohn]

From my own experience of teaching..

Sorry to say but if she's not interested then there will be problems...especially if the teacher is someone from the family. Children are like that..do only what they like...and they usually don't take advice from parents.
 
You can take advices from the above posts and see if you can get her interested in some way...otherwise teaching her personally or getting a teacher for her will just be a waste of time and money.

Depending on what your aim is really...are you wanting your kid to learn about commitment and practice or do you want her to become interested in playing piano and becoming a musician later on?

If it's the latter one then forcing her to like something she doesn't like won't yield any results.

[keyboardclass]

Find a really exciting beginner's book.  I use McGregor's Piano Adventures.

[lukebar]

Again, not to discourage, but seeking out an experienced teacher is the way to go.

Being able to play yourself, even at a very high level, does not make one an effective teacher, EVEN to a child just starting out. ESPECIALLY to a child just starting out. I've seen this situation too often in my own teaching career. While all of the above suggestions are good, I honestly don't think that it will be enough. A lot of us on this board spend our lives devoted to becoming not only the best possible musicians we can be, but also the best possible teachers.

If you are only interested in giving your child an exposure to music, without any real expectation that she will actually learn to play, then forge ahead. But if you want her to learn to play, and hopefully develop a life long love for the instrument, make the commitment and find a good teacher. Ask around for referrals. Interview different teachers the same way you would if you were hiring someone for a job (since, in fact, this is what you are doing.) Be involved in your child's music study for sure, but not in the role of primary teacher.

Best of luck!

[lastfrontier]

Young children often have very short attention spans. I homeschool, and about 10 minutes at the table is all my youngest can handle at one time. I have to vary the activities for him. Your daughter may be a very kinesthetic learner, and need physical activity mixed with sit-down time at the piano to learn. She may need more physical activity during the day, and especially immediately before and after lessons. Consider splitting up her lessons into two or three short 10 minute segments during the day. As she progresses, gradually increase the time at the piano. Some children do better with tasks when they know EXACTLY how long they have to do it. If they don't feel that they have to keep at it "forever", they are willing to give it their best for a short time. Set a timer, and ask her for her absolute best effort for only a few minutes. Maybe even start with 5 minutes. Maybe only 3 minutes. Add one minute every other day. Hold it at 10 minutes for a week or so, then gradually begin adding minutes. You may have to go slower, or maybe you can progress faster. It may take several months, but her attention span will increase gradually.

Also, consider her diet. Food allergies and intolerances (as well as environmental allergens) can cause poor attention, memory loss and learning difficulties. Gluten and food dyes, as well as sodas, are biggies, but are not the only cluprits. Even foods with bound glutamates, such as tomatoes and peanuts can cause problems. Pesticides and herbicides used on produce, or medicines used in meat and dairy animals can cause problems. Organic foods are better, especially while you are trying to find the cause of her inability to focus. It can take several weeks for the effects of food allergies and intolerances to clear, so don't expect overnight results. Providing lots of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables will help with that, along with drinking only water.

[keyboardclass]

Also, consider her diet. Food allergies and intolerances (as well as environmental allergens) can cause poor attention, memory loss and learning difficulties. Gluten and food dyes, as well as sodas, are biggies, but are not the only cluprits. Even foods with bound glutamates, such as tomatoes and peanuts can cause problems. Pesticides and herbicides used on produce, or medicines used in meat and dairy animals can cause problems. Organic foods are better, especially while you are trying to find the cause of her inability to focus. It can take several weeks for the effects of food allergies and intolerances to clear, so don't expect overnight results. Providing lots of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables will help with that, along with drinking only water.

Hey, right on dude!

[dcstudio]

hang in there!  you will learn how to motivate her--don't give up.  Whatever YOU know you should teach her--whatever method worked for you, will work for her.  Those method books are boring!!! Teach her to love the piano like you do!  This is much more important than teaching her out of a book!! 

You are doing a wonderful thing for your child!!  Don't let anyone stop you or tell you that you are not "teaching" her correctly.  Show her why you love to play and she will understand