Parent Tips

Parents often tell me that they don't know how to play an instrument or read music and aren't sure how to help their child practice. Here's some good news: you don't need to know anything about music to help your child be successful!

• Practice time and space

  • Have a quiet spot in the house where your child can practice, away from siblings and other distractions

  • Make sure they are sitting up tall in a chair with a music stand displaying the music at the right height

  • Set a schedule and stick to it: practicing should be part of their routine, just like homework time.

• Be enthusiastic

  • Be your child's biggest cheerleader! Positivity is huge when they are first learning

  • When your child is comfortable, have them put on mini-concerts in the living room for visiting family and friends

  • Allow them to take breaks if they are frustrated, but encourage them to keep trying--it will get easier

• Ask questions

  • Let your child be your teacher: ask them questions about what they are doing or what they have learned

  • "What is the hardest part of this piece? Can you play just that part for me?"

  • "Can you play this for me in slow motion?"

  • "Clap the rhythm of any measure and I will try to copy you!"

  • "What does this word mean?"

  • "What note is that? How do you play it?"

  • "Can you show me the right way to hold your instrument?"

• Listen, listen, listen

  • Go enjoy a live performance of any style. Some local performing groups are the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra, the New York Wind Symphony, and the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. Some local venues are the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, and the Bardavon.

  • Listen to recordings of professional musicians so your child always hears a quality tone to aspire to achieve.

Parent Links:

Helping Your Child Get the Most out of Playing a Musical Instrument

PBS - How to Motivate Your Child to Practice

NPR - Getting Kids to Practice Music

Getting Your Child to Practice - Tips from a Musician Mommy

NAfME - 3 Things Parents Must Tell Their Children When They Begin a Musical Instrument

Why Students Really Quit Their Musical Instrument (and How Parents Can Prevent It)

from "The Music Parents' Guide"