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St. Ann
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| Posted: Oct 27 2006 at 4:19am | IP Logged
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Dd1 has played cello more than 2 years. She is talented and enjoys playing, but when it is time to practice she almost throws a fit.
Her cello teacher expects her to practice at least 30 min. each day. Hannah loves her teacher and wants to please her, but she would really rather play outside than practice.
How do we get our children to love practicing too! I don't know if this would fall under homework or meaningful work, as in Lissa's Rule of 6.
Help!
Stephanie
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marihalojen
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| Posted: Oct 27 2006 at 6:45am | IP Logged
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Is she being challenged or can she play the piece perfect even without practicing? I used to throw my own little fits and then sit down 5 minutes before leaving with coat on and bag beside me on the piano bench and run through the song. I'd play it perfectly at the instructor's. Obviously, I needed harder stuff!
Eventually, after changing instruments and teachers I ended up in a band setting and the competition for chairs motivated me to practice.
Oh yeah, a second motivation was my sister sneaking my music and playing it  just to stay ahead of her I'd wear my fingers to nubs!
Don't know how much help any of this is... 
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The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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StephanieA
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| Posted: Oct 27 2006 at 8:39am | IP Logged
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Dear Stephanie,
Trying dividing practice up into 2 - 15 minute sessions. I am going to take a stab here and guess your daughter is not over 12? We struggle with practice time too, but it has helped to divide the sessions up for the littler guys.
Blessings,
Stephanie
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St. Ann
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| Posted: Oct 27 2006 at 3:53pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Jennifer for sharing your expieriences. You certainly were a temperamentful little girl  . Her teacher gives her very challenging pieces to play. It is the fine tuning of a piece that is so wearisome.
Stephanie, yes, she is 10yrs old. A problem with dividing the practice time is that we don't have an extra room for music...she has to practice in the family room, therefore she can not leave her cello laying around - it is too dangerous! Her cello is always stored in it's koffer / case, when she is not playing. She needs about 5min. to set everything up, before she can even begin to play. And that is on a good day. Sometimes it takes her 15 min.! DREAM DREAM DREAM
Her younger sister has just begun learning to play the violin. No competition there.
Thanks
Stephanie in Germany
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StephanieA
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| Posted: Oct 27 2006 at 7:54pm | IP Logged
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Dear Stephanie,
Yes. This is a problem. My somewhat musically-inclined 5th child is 9 years old and perfecting a piece is tiresome for her. I find that if I really want her to have a good lesson, I have to sit with her at least once or twice a week. I don't even know how to play the violin (her instrument), but I have listened to Suzuki CDs long enough to hear a wrong note. This gets to be a chore (I have 7 kids), but if I put a priority on music, to me it is no different than sitting down with English or math.
We had a problem for a while because the 12 year old began violin at the same time as the 9 year old and has not made the progress that the 9 year old has. Luckily, the competition lessened after the first year. For us, competition with music in the family was disaster
Blessings,
Stephanie
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SuzanneT
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| Posted: Oct 27 2006 at 11:24pm | IP Logged
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Hi Stephanie,
Something that worked for us (for a while  I had a connect the dots book, music theme. For each good practice, move to the next dot; great practice, two dots; awesome practice, three dots. When the picture is completed, it can be traded in for a small treat OR saved until 5 are collected and traded in for a milkshake at Steak & Shake! HTH!
Suzanne
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dh('87),ds(90),dd(91),dd(95)
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ALmom
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| Posted: Oct 28 2006 at 12:47am | IP Logged
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What is the overall schedule like? My cello player seemed to like cello - but hated lessons and practice, though she was talented enough to make her piece sound great by pulling the 5 min. before class stunt, so the hint about too easy pieces probably applies at our house with this child. She actually practiced more when we didn't have lessons, but as soon as we suggested lessons again, she stopped touching the cello. Now we just have the cello out and convenient.
I think as they get a little older it takes them awhile to adjust to the increasing demands on their time. Our dd saw Cello as one more thing on her to do list when what she really wanted was more physical exercise and outdoor playtime. Would cello be more palatable after a great break between school and other stuff - when, maybe other people are called in to help with chores. My dd was quick to say she had to practice cello, when she saw me calling on individuals to take out trash, clean dishes, etc.
Not that I'm the model mom - we ended up quitting cello but I'm hoping that once she learns how to juggle high school, we can go back with a more challenging teacher and see if that helps. But she has to be willing to practice. My older dd and my 9 and 6 yo all practice on their own without reminding. With the 6 yo, I have to ask him to let me see, beause I don't want him learning wrong violin bowing and holding. (Of course the 9 and 6 yo had to wait for lessons until we could afford them - one of the reasons the non-practicing dd is no longer taking - the $ from her lessons pays for both of the others.
Janet
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St. Ann
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| Posted: Oct 28 2006 at 6:56am | IP Logged
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Thanks for all your suggestions!
I have gotten some ideas that I would like to try out, so we'll see...
Today, as a matter of fact, went pretty well. At breakfast we told the girls that we are having a family weekend. (we've noticed that the kids are just plain tired) No playing outside with the neighbor kids, no planning other activities. Just us. Here at home. We will read together, hear nice music, play games...
When it was time for Hannah to practice, it was not a problem at all. She tried out a new piece and really enjoyed herself, worked on her piece for a recital and seemed concentrated...Of course, after 30 min. she was ready to pack. No problem.
Stephanie
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: Motivation to practice
