Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login
The Arts in the Everyday
 4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Subject Topic: Our solution to dd refusing to practise Post ReplyPost New Topic
Author
Message << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>
Erin
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator


Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
Posted: March 09 2006 at 1:49pm | IP Logged Quote Erin
I posted late last year with questions about music lessons. Dd started the clarinet and thrived at first, we had a bit of a slump as the lessons were too easy, after discussion with the teacher these were progressed through faster.

This year however dd would not practise. The teacher tried accountablilty, sheet to fill in with time practised. No success Dd can be incredibly stubborn, not biddable. I pondered what to do, should I let her give up if as she said she didn't like it? But I decided no, dd is 12, I really believed this was more of a self discipline issue. This is a child who is picking it up incredibly easily, after three lessons she was where most children struggle to get in six months. After one term her teacher wants her to sit for her second grade exams. I really feel it would be a shame for her to give up now.

I hit on a solution. Ds10 is musical, always had rythmn but no discipline. We were leaving his lessons for another couple of years. After praying I decided that maybe it was rather lonely for dd playing by herself and she would be inspired by company. I discussed it with the teacher, stressing that I wasn't committing him as we need to be flexible with this more sensitive teacher. ie. If he didn't click with her he would hate it. The teacher understood the reasoning behind it. Ds went to his first lesson and loved it and really liked her, "She laughed alot mum and wasn't stern like the art teacher." My ds who skates by on only the minimal effort is practising daily. Not only that but he has set himself targets, 1/2hr per day and he wants to get really good. He says he likes the clarinet heaps better than the piano. I am sooo surprised.

So dd is now practising about 15min a day although she is happy to stop after 5min. Still I am not having to hassle many days, often she will just do it after her brother without prompting. Sometimes it will just need a gentle reminder.

__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
Back to Top View Erin's Profile Search for other posts by Erin Visit Erin's Homepage
 
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Avatar

Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
Posted: March 09 2006 at 3:51pm | IP Logged Quote JennGM
Great thinking, Erin! Love your solution!

I've been noticing a phenomenon that no one ever remembers that there is a piano or wants to play the piano until someone is actually already playing it.

__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
Back to Top View JennGM's Profile Search for other posts by JennGM Visit JennGM's Homepage
 
Rachel May
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: June 24 2005
Location: Kansas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2057
Posted: March 09 2006 at 8:04pm | IP Logged Quote Rachel May
We like playing together too. Our first piano teacher had the boys do duets to get them interested at first, but our new one doesn't like that idea.

Now sheer competition motivates them. Each bolts his breakfast down while screaming, "Can I be first?! Don't let him practice before me!"

I don't feel like it is the perfect solution, but it's working for now.

__________________
Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
Back to Top View Rachel May's Profile Search for other posts by Rachel May
 
Kathryn UK
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Feb 27 2005
Location: England
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 924
Posted: March 10 2006 at 2:34am | IP Logged Quote Kathryn UK
Erin, you don't know how lucky you are having them practice after each other. My elder dd plays trumpet and cornet, and my younger dd baritone horn (smaller version of euphonium). If one gets her instrument out the other inevitably decides to practice at the same time, in the same room .

__________________
Kathryn
Dh Michael, Rachel(3/95) Hannah(8/98) Naomi(6/06) (11/07)
The Bookworm
Back to Top View Kathryn UK's Profile Search for other posts by Kathryn UK
 
Erin
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator


Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
Posted: March 10 2006 at 4:34am | IP Logged Quote Erin
Kathryn UK wrote:
If one gets her instrument out the other inevitably decides to practice at the same time, in the same room .


Kathryn
Oh dear, your poor ears I can see benefits of them sharing the same instrument.

__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
Back to Top View Erin's Profile Search for other posts by Erin Visit Erin's Homepage
 

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

  [Add this topic to My Favorites] Post ReplyPost New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com