How to Get Your Child to Practice for His Next Music Lesson - Without Bribes, Threats, or Tears!

You've invested in music lessons for your child. And now you want him to practice between lessons, of course. But how do you get your child to practice without resorting to brides, threats, or tears?

Well, here are some suggestions:

1. Music practice should include more than scales and drills. Scales and drills are used to teach your child HOW to play an instrument. But your child's music instruction should also include songs that are FUN to play. If your child never seems to enjoy practicing, then ask the teacher to include familiar or popular songs your child will have fun playing during his private practice sessions.

2. Encourage short practice sessions each day. It's much better, and more enjoyable, for your child to practice a little every day instead of trying to cram a whole week's worth of practice into one long session right before his next lesson. Generally, if your child has a 30-minute lesson once a week, he should practice for 30 minutes a day between lessons. But that doesn't mean he must practice for 30 minutes at any one time. He can break down the 30 minutes a day into two 15-minute sessions. This is particularly helpful when he's working on a difficult piece. He can try it for 15 minutes, then take a break and do something else before coming back later in the day to tackle the piece again for another 15 minutes.

3. Encourage your child to play for friends and family members (even if he's just started to take music lessons). Your child will enjoy being the "star" as he plays a few songs for a real, live audience. He'll naturally want to get better and better on his own - so you won't have to badger him all the time to get him to practice.

4. Look for music studios that offer ensembles and recitals in addition to private lessons. This way, your child will have a goal in mind. He will want to play a specific song for the next recital or ensemble session so he'll tend to practice without being told to do so.

5. Purchase CDs that are designed to have someone play along. Look for these CDs at the music store where your child takes lessons or ask your child's teacher where you can purchase these kinds of CDs. These CDs are another way to make practice fun for your child.

When practice time becomes a regular, enjoyable part of your child's day, you won't have to resort to threats, bribes, or tears to get your child to practice between lessons.

For more information about musical instruments and music instruction for yourself or your child, visit Bentley Guitar Studios online.