The parent's role in the piano learning journey

So, you've signed your child up for piano lessons and just like every other extra curricular activity, you pay the bill, drop your child off on time and your job is done.  Or is it?

Learning an instrument is not like other extra curricular activities where the learning takes place once a week (or more often), at the venue, and doesn't have to be thought about again until next week.   It involves a three way relationship between parent, child and teacher - sometimes referred to as a 'triangle'.  Unless all three elements are functioning there will be barriers to learning and progress. 

The work in learning an instrument actually takes place after the lesson, when the child is at home, putting into action, on a daily basis, what they learned during the lesson.  

There are 10,080 minutes in a week and children spend about 30 of those minutes with their instrumental teacher.  Children, particularly young ones, are unable to manage their time sufficiently to arrange their own piano practice, so it's vital that parents take control of this.

For a child to make good progress they really should be playing most days of the week.  Learning an instrument cannot be crammed, so please don't think you can just practice the day before the lesson - by that time the child will have forgotten 90% or even 100% of what they learned and the next day's lesson will involve a repeat of the previous week's lesson which, on an ongoing basis, becomes very frustrating for child, teacher and parent.  Of course sometimes life gets in the way and if you've had one of those weeks then do tell the teacher.

Dr Andrea Creech of UCL found that students thrive where a good three way relationship exists between parent, child and teacher.  As a parent you can contribute towards this relationship by:

• Discussing how much you will be involved.  Obviously younger children will need more help;
• Providing a structured home environment for practice - for example playing at the same time every day;
• Taking an interest in promoting good teacher / student rapport;
• Listening to your child play and being his or her 'cheerleader';
• Not letting problems fester - address them immediately with the teacher before they become an issue. 

Dr Creech points out that parents need to be 'versatile'..... whatever does this mean?!!  The Curious Piano Teachers have written a whole blog post about this 'The Power of Practice: 7 Practice Hats for Parents' and it's summarised below.  There's also an excellent e-book from them, for you at the bottom of this post to help you keep track of your 7 hats! 

Hat 1 - The Personal Organiser

Schedule in playing sessions - how about setting a daily alarm to remind everyone when it's playing time?

Hat 2 - The Services Provider

Is the room warm and central (children don't like to be sent off to practice), is the stool at the right height, can your child read the teacher's notes,  is the light right, are there other distractions such as siblings playing computer games or making other noise?

Hat 3 - The Number One Fan

You don't need to be a musician - sit down, listen and comment on any improvements - if necessary ask your child what they thought of the performance!  Praise achievements, give performance opportunities - for example when friends visit. 

Hat 4 - The Flexible Friend

Take an interest in the homework notes - if you don't understand them ask the child what they think, if you still don't then email the teacher - they will be delighted you're interested and love to help you. 

It's quite fun to get your child to teach you something they already know!

Hat 5 - The Communicator

Remember, it's a three way relationship - keep channels of communication open with the teacher.  Ask questions, give feedback. 

Hat 6 - The Diplomat

Learning an instrument is hard.  Sometimes children just won't want to do it.  Negotiate with them to find a time that suits them better; pick just one thing to do; work out how to break tasks down; play an old piece; have fun messing about on the piano.  If it becomes an ongoing problem then speak to the teacher.  I always want to know what is going on and what I can do differently to help, but if I'm not told I don't always work out there is a problem - we aren't mind readers!

Avoid arguments at the piano and bribery.

Hat 7 - The Patient Parent

Practice doesn't sound good.  It consists of playing the same bit over and over until it's correct - note, not the whole piece - if you're hearing the whole piece then your child is not practising properly.  This is a subject for a whole other blog post. 

I hope you've found this helpful, do share any experiences you have of being a piano parent below.  Next week we'll be looking at the child's role in the triangle. 

Don't forget to share with friends  who might find this useful and download the e-book!

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