Learning an instrument takes time and practice. It won’t happen overnight and your child will not progress if you do not take specific measures to create an environment that fosters learning, growth, and longevity. Here are few tips that will help you along your family’s musical instrument progression:

Keep the excitement of learning an instrument always at the front of your to do list. Make it a family project and commit time to listening, learning, and performing.

Provide an instrument that sounds good, who’s keys do not stick, who’s strings are high quality, and you do not need to manipulate to create a good tone or sound. Keep this in mind as your child progresses through their lessons and learning – you many need to replace an instrument if this becomes an issue. An instrument that does not produce good sound can stop progress in it’s tracks.

Keep your instrument in the main part of your house. Do not put keyboards in bedrooms if at all possible. Keep keyboards and pianos and all instruments being learned in a place that is well trafficked and a part of your house that is well liked. By keeping instruments and practice out in the open, your child will feel more supported and will want to continue the hard work of practicing.

Set a priority for your child to go to their instrument daily to play or practice depending on the time available. If daily is not an option, you must dedicate time or progress will not happen and your child could become frustrated. When your child uses his instrument daily there is less argument and more success.

Understand that sometimes the amount of practice is seasonal, but it should be constant. Your family will experience busy seasons where practice is less, and progress is minimal. Rather that quitting or becoming frustrated, remember that while life is seasonal, so is practice and so is progress. Keep playing! Remember that a musical instrument is a long-term commitment and adjust your schedule as needed but keep playing! For more ideas or to begin lessons call 603.283.8983.

Do the following on a daily basis for lifelong learning.