What do you think the parents role in piano tution should be?

Question

Should they be involved in there child's practicing and reviews etc?

I have to do an essay on parental roles in piano tuition and am stuck about were to start.

Any ideas?

I am a piano teacher and do have my own views but because i am writing an essay i was just wondering about everyone else's views.

Thanks

Answer 1

1. Encouragement and support to undertake the work set by the tutor and the self-confidence to progress.

2. Provision of a suitable instrumental according to the level at which child is playing; not forgetting the parents' budget.

3. Regular consultation with the piano tutor as to progress and future potential.

4. Checking that the music genre being given to the child is appropriate to the child's interests and aspirations.

5. Provision of a quiet room/space where the child can practice in peace and quiet.

6. The child is afforded the opportunity to listen to various music genre to broaden their horizons.

7. The child is taken to see live musicians; musicals; opera - and related back, where possible to the music being practiced by the child.

You can't beat seeing it live: Cats is a prime example.

8. CDs/DVDs purchased or borrowed from friends or libraries - in line my thoughts in point 7.

9. Show how music can be changed by different artists so that it can be shown how say classical music can be arranged in a modern way. This might persuade a child to see how, if they don't like classical they might like it in a different form.

For example Madame Butterfly has been considerably changed by Malcolm McLaren in his album Fans.

10. Where appropriate encourage the child to sit examinations in theory and practice such as the Royal Schools of Music - so the child has the feeling of success and a certificate to show for it!

11. Encouragement to participate in school concerts eg Battle of the Bands. This gives the opportunity to play solo or be part of a band. It gives experience and confidence in playing in front of others.

12. Encouragement to take Standard or Higher Grades, (in Scotland), in Music, at school - if appropriate to their future career hopes.

13. To know when it is time to stop 'forcing' children to keep taking music lessons. After all they can always go back to it in later life when they want to do it.

Good luck with your essay.

Answer 2

My son has just passed his grade 2. What is my role in his piano playing? Being told I know absolutely nothing about the piano so should not tell him he plays pieces much too fast (and what do you think stopped him getting a distinction?!)

My role is to take him to his lessons - and pay for them. My husband's role is taking him to the exams! Oh, and organise and pay for the piano to be tuned regularly! - basically, parents are the 'bank' of the piano!

I also get him to practice by reminding him that he has not done any recently. To tell him when things sound good (but not to criticize, because I do not play the piano!!!)

When he has had a bad day at school, getting him to play more 'violent' pieces to get rid of his feelings. He wants to play the piano as a method of relaxation and a way of unwinding

However, I am not at all sure how I could be included more than this in his practising and reviews as I cannot play a note - and my singing makes a pancake look like a Victoria Sponge! What I can do is give his teacher information on how much he is practising and what pieces he enjoys playing (by how often I hear the tunes - and how often I hear his hands being slammed onto the keys!)

I believe his playing is a team effort between the three of us, with me as back-up and encourager.

I hope this helps with your essay.

oh, and we do not all have access to live music and the theatre. My son finds these things boring anyway - he just wants to learn to play the piano as a change from computer games, or for when we get power cuts - and to be able to show off in a way that we can understand! I have absolutely no idea what it means to catch a qwerty when playing asdf on level 21 - and it is something he can explain to his grandmother, who gives him a prize (normally money for a computer game!) for passing the exams!

Answer 3

From another music teacher.

I hate it when the parents insist on being present in the lesson - it stops the child talking to me honestly.

I love it when parents encourage the child to practise.

I hate it when the child is learning to please a parent.

I love it when the child is learning because they want to.

I love it when the parents leave the child alone to practise.

I love it when parents pay the fees on time (quite rare!).

I love it when the parents say that they have secretly listened to a practice session because they were enjoying it so much .

I love it when they say 'thank you' ( almost unheard of)


By the way, you'll be lynched if in an essay you say practice when you mean practise. I always remember it as you practise in a practice room.

Answer 4

Parents should definitly be involved in their childs piano. Only for support and encouragement though unless they know how to play piano them selves. I know with playing the baritone and trumpet I count on support and encouragement. There have been times when I felt like quitting because I just couldnt hit that high D. Now I have no problem with it and my parents just kept telling me to keep working on !

Answer 5

Drop them off in their 4x4 parking on the double yellow lines or pavement outside the piano school. Pay the fees to get rid of their offspring for a couple of hours while they play golf / get their hair done. Bore friends and relatives by telling them what a prodigy they have for a child.

Answer 6

one theory (can't be bothered to find the sources, but it's quite reputable) is that Beethoven's deafness came about from his father repeatedly smacking him around the head everytime the poor child made an error while at the keyboard. If you can ratify this story with a citation it'd look good in your essay as an extreme example!

Answer 7

well i think that they should be there for support when the are needed and to encourage the child to practise ! i also think that they should keep there noses out when it comes to actually learning it .. thats the teachers job not the parents ! .. also i think that the shouldnt make the child carry on if they dont want to and let them stop. Also make sure that the child feels comfortable and enjoys the lessons .. but thats it .. its the childs lessons not the parents !

Answer 8

Parents role (unless they're qualified to instruct, should be only to : support & encourage child, get him/her to lessons on time, and most importantly, to make sure the child practices on a daily basis, uninterrupted by ANYTHING.

Answer 9

When I was young I learnt the guitar and the most important role of my parents was as an audience. All children need encouragement and support as well as the confident to perfom without critisism. Yep - audience. Definitely.

Answer 10

Absolutely.....parents should always participate in the enrichment of the arts with their children. Besides paying for it.