10 proven ways to make your kid practice music daily

• Table of Contents
• between 5 and 12 years old
• 13 years old and older
• Compliment the kid
• Easy to grab, easy to play
• Music before screens
• Get a teacher
• Encourage them
• Make them responsible
• play music with them
  • Learning music with your kid could be a wonderful way to spend some quality time together
    • Bring common topic to speak about
    • Duet together
    • Encourage each other
  • If you do something, it will feel more natural for your kid to do something similar
• they can play with others
• Select a new piece to learn
• New technique
• Teen motivation system: let them be the master of their achievement
• Why won't my kid practice ukulele/guitar/piano/cello?
  • Who wants your kid to play music?
    • Kids sometime want to play another instrument that their parents told them to
    • What about you? Wouldn't you dream to be able to play music?

insist on pleasure from the get go it's so much pleasure, so much fun, tell them that "this part", "this scale" is fun, is some pleasure

What do kid love?

Have fun Play (games, gamification) (please their parents, so that parents be proud of them teen=be cool)

Encouraging your child to practice a musical instrument can be a challenging task, but with the right approach, it can become an enjoyable and rewarding experience for you. Them. Everybody.

Here are some effective strategies to motivate your child and make their practice sessions more engaging.

Create a positive and supportive environment by praising your child's efforts and progress. Celebrate their achievements, no matter how small, and let them know that their hard work is valued. This will boost their confidence and make them more eager to practice regularly.

Make practice sessions fun and interactive by incorporating games and challenges. For example, you can set goals and reward your child when they achieve them. You can also turn practice into a family activity by playing along with them or organizing mini-concerts where they can showcase their progress. By making practice enjoyable, your child will be more motivated to pick up their instrument and play.

Maybe you'd be interested in knowing How to study music efficiently, or know how How much time to practice an instrument as a kid?.

between 5 and 12 years old

Encouraging your child to practice a musical instrument can be a fun and rewarding experience for both of you. Instead of thinking of it as tricks, consider it as creative ways to motivate your little musician. Firstly, make sure to choose an instrument that your child is genuinely interested in. Whether it's the ukulele, cello, piano, violin, or drums, their enthusiasm for the instrument will naturally drive them to practice more.

Create a positive and supportive environment for your child's musical journey. Set up a designated practice area that is comfortable and inviting. Decorate it with colorful posters or musical-themed artwork to make it visually appealing. Additionally, establish a consistent practice routine that fits into your child's daily schedule. This will help them develop a sense of discipline and responsibility towards their instrument.

Make practicing music a fun and interactive experience. Incorporate games and challenges into their practice sessions to keep them engaged. For example, you can create a reward system where they earn points or stickers for completing certain tasks or achieving specific goals. Additionally, consider organizing mini-concerts at home where your child can showcase their progress to family and friends. This will not only boost their confidence but also provide them with a sense of accomplishment. Remember, the key is to make practicing music enjoyable and something they look forward to rather than a chore.

As you have understood, parents have a role to play in the musical journey of their kid. They are here to encourage them, get them to pratice regulary.

The right music teacher will help you through this.

13 years old and older

Encouraging your 15-year-old child to practice a musical instrument can be a challenging task, but there are several ways to motivate them. Firstly, it is important to understand their interests and preferences. If they are not interested in the instrument they are currently playing, try to find a different one that they may enjoy more. Additionally, setting achievable goals and rewarding them for their progress can be a great motivator.

Another way to motivate your child is to make practicing a fun and enjoyable experience. You can do this by incorporating games or challenges into their practice routine. For example, you can challenge them to learn a new song in a certain amount of time or have them play along with their favorite songs. This will not only make practicing more enjoyable but also help them develop their skills.

Lastly, it is important to be supportive and encouraging throughout the process. Learning a musical instrument can be frustrating at times, and your child may feel discouraged. However, by providing positive feedback and acknowledging their progress, you can help them stay motivated and continue to improve. Remember, the key to motivating your child is to make practicing a positive and enjoyable experience.

Compliment the kid

Some kids' strongest will are to get their parents proud.

I, myself, am eager to make them proud as well. Even though I'm not a kid anymore.

So don't hesitate to praise your kid's progress.

Take the time to listen to them. Ask them often to play their new track (two days before next lesson would be great).

Some of my students love showing what they can play. To anybody.

Easy to grab, easy to play

That's the first thing I tell every new student: don't put your instrument in a room where you don't go often. Keep their instrument as close as where they spend the most of their time, aka in the living room, or in their bedroom.

Of course, later on, you can have a dedicated room for music. But to start with, they should take the habit of playing frequently.

The instrument should always be unpacked, ready for some gigs. If your child take it to her/his music class, encourage her/him to unpack it as soon as they get back home. It would be another reason for them to start a quick music rehearsal. But more important, it gets the instrument always ready.

Music before screens

Make them practice before they can play or watch screens.

Controversial.

But .... have done it (quote Elen)

I say Controversial, because ...

But don't you want them to build a habit? Later, it'll be easier for them.

Best students are encouraged by parents. "No lego before music" prodigy: first practice, then you can do whatever you want.

Even though I'm not entirely up for depriving the kid of their toy if they don't practice, I reckon it could help some.

Get a teacher

Encourage them

Concert weekly!

Ask them about it during family time

Make them responsible

ADVICE ACTIONNABLE FOR ME: bite-size concrete small actions , for them to apply

• challenge

• create habit

• get a teacher

• concert or exams: max effort to prepare it

• use an app

• ? make them responsible

• music first. Then games (lego or else)

  • ukulele chinese kid
  • but montesouri & feel like work

• start with a scale, then exercises, then music sheet. But whatever the kid wants to do, let him do it: practice happily is better than no practice

• what not to do as a parent Parents have a role. Music teacher is not in the kids' house to encourage him. He only is around the kid when the kid has his/her lesson.

  • encourage him
  • compliment him
  • ask him questions during meal time

  • make him a small concert at a fixed day during the week

  • give them an update, a tip, or some nicities by SMS (or email or whatsapp or discord or on any platform) in the middle of the week

  Create triggers

play music with them

Learning music with your kid could be a wonderful way to spend some quality time together

Bring common topic to speak about

Duet together

Encourage each other

Why not try playing with your kid? The worse thing that could happen is that you would spend some quality time with him/her, and that you would learn how to play music!

I have some parent/kid pairs that take lessons. Most of them take lesson simultaneously. Others have each their lesson individually, and one part of their lesson together. The best of both Words!

They spend a fantastic time together. Play some duets. Improve together.

If you do something, it will feel more natural for your kid to do something similar

It depends with age and the character of the kid.

they can play with others

Select a new piece to learn

It's natural to get bored when playing the same old pieces for weeks or months.

This is especially true for teenagers.

As an intermediate ukulele/guitar/piano student, it's important to avoid playing the same piece for more than three months, unless you're preparing for a performance.

Variety is key to keep the excitement and motivation alive in your musical journey!

One of my student always ask me before the lesson if he will have something new to play. He's such a curious little boy! (which is awesome) And when I give him that (almost every time), he's very excited and eager to learn.

Giving a new piece to learn will keep him/her curious, excited, and happy!

New technique

Lorraine, one of my students, is typically filled with enthusiasm during our lessons. However, one day, she started the lesson without much energy.

Her lack of motivation was evident.

Throughout the lesson, she played on her ukulele the Cat in Peter and the Wolf * . Unfortunately, it wasn't so good, as she didn't study. But I started to explain her various ways to do slurs.

Suddenly, a transformation occurred. Her eyes lit up, and her voice became infused with joy, reminiscent of the melodious birdsong in springtime.

This newfound explained technique, the slurs, brought immense delight to her day. She was thrilled to have something fresh to practice and experiment with.

Sometimes, all a student needs is something novel to work on. A new technique, or a new way to play a piece.

This little something can ignites their passion once again!

* on Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev, 1936.

It's funny to play some of the tunes from Peter and the Wolf. This "symphonic tale for children": each character is played by a type of instrument. Peter is played by string instruments (including violin, viola, cello, and double bass), and the cat by a clarinet.

Playing it Peter or the cat with a ukulele defeats the original purpose of Prokofiev, which is fun, but I'm sure he wouldn't disagree about this misappropriation, this hijack.

By the way, I teach different kind of music on the ukulele, incluing classical music, rock music, mantras, tunes that are usually played on the ukulele.

I can teach new something new each time, to keep your interst fresh and renewed!

Feel free to get in touch!

Teen motivation system: let them be the master of their achievement

The new system allows her to take ownership of her learning.

I was working with a private student who wasn't advancing as rapidly as I had hoped, so I decided to implement a fresh approach.

I started leaving her sticky notes outlining the specific areas she should focus on each week.

Once she could play a song flawlessly from start to finish, she gets to mark it off herself using a colored marker of her choice.

This change has proven to be incredibly effective! By giving her the autonomy to select her own colors and check off her achievements, she feels more engaged and motivated. It’s rewarding for her to see her progress visually, and it encourages her to practice more diligently.

The sense of accomplishment she experiences when she completes a song without any mistakes is truly inspiring.

Overall, this new method has transformed our lessons and has had a significant impact on her development as a musician.

The combination of structured practice and personal accountability has not only boosted her confidence but also made our sessions much more enjoyable. I’m thrilled to see her enthusiasm grow, and I look forward to watching her continue to flourish in her musical journey.

⚠ Work in progress ⚠ This article is being written. It may not yet reflect our standard of quality.

You may have a question about music or ukulele.

Contact us and we'll be happy to anwer your questions.

1. Engaging music learners and encouraging them to practice can be a rewarding yet challenging task. One effective approach is to redefine what practice means, moving beyond the traditional notions of mere repetition and rote exercises. By broadening the definition of practice, both students and their parents can appreciate a variety of activities that contribute to musical growth. This could include listening to music, analyzing pieces, improvising, or even discussing musical concepts. When learners see that practice encompasses a range of activities, they may feel more motivated to explore and engage with music in diverse ways.

2. It's essential to create an environment where students feel excited about their musical journey. This can be achieved by incorporating elements that resonate with their interests, such as allowing them to choose pieces they love or introducing them to different genres. Additionally, setting achievable goals and celebrating small victories can foster a sense of accomplishment. When students recognize that their efforts, whether through structured practice or creative exploration, are valued, they are more likely to stay engaged and committed to their musical development.

3. Communication plays a crucial role in keeping learners motivated. Regularly discussing progress with students and their parents can help everyone understand the importance of varied practice methods. Encouraging open dialogue about what works best for each individual can lead to personalized strategies that enhance engagement. By emphasizing that practice is not just about playing notes correctly but also about enjoying the process and discovering new aspects of music, students can develop a deeper connection to their learning. It ultimately leads to more consistent and enthusiastic practice habits.

Engaging music students and encouraging them to practice consistently can be a rewarding yet challenging task. One effective approach is to create a dynamic and interactive learning environment that fosters a sense of excitement about music. This can be achieved by incorporating a variety of teaching methods, such as using technology, games, and collaborative projects. For instance, integrating music apps or online platforms can make practice sessions more enjoyable and less monotonous. Additionally, organizing group activities, such as ensemble performances or jam sessions, can help students feel a sense of community and motivation to improve their skills together.

Another key aspect of keeping students engaged is to set clear, achievable goals that resonate with their personal interests and aspirations. By understanding what each student hopes to achieve, whether it’s mastering a particular piece, preparing for a performance, or exploring a new genre, instructors can tailor their lessons to align with these objectives. Regularly celebrating small victories, such as completing a challenging piece or mastering a new technique, can also boost students' confidence and encourage them to continue practicing. Providing constructive feedback and recognizing their progress can create a positive reinforcement loop that keeps students motivated.

Lastly, fostering a love for music beyond the classroom can significantly enhance students' engagement. Encouraging them to explore different musical styles, attend concerts, or even participate in local music events can broaden their horizons and deepen their appreciation for the art form. Additionally, introducing them to influential musicians or composers and discussing their contributions can inspire students to connect with music on a more personal level. By creating a holistic approach to music education that combines skill development, personal interests, and a broader appreciation for music, instructors can cultivate a lasting passion for practice and performance in their students.

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Help them master The Self-Determination Theory also suggests that a sense of competence can improve one’s motivation.

A sense of mastery can develop when your child tackles a task easy enough to complete, but difficult enough for them to feel challenged.

Helping teenagers master school work can help bolster their self-esteem in addition to competence.

If a subject is too hard, it will be hard to feel motivated to do something you’re not good at.

If your teenager is struggling with school work because they are not doing well, consider hiring a tutor to help.

Find a tutor your child can relate to, because they can then also motivate your teenager through relatedness.

If school is too easy, look for supplemental classes or materials for your child to work on.

In any case, involve them to make that decision so they can feel in control of their studying.

Help your teen feel like he/she progressing

Help your teen feel like he/she progressing. Nothing is worse when learning something new to feel stuck and like you are not getting anywhere. When learning the piano, it’s important that you point out their progression. Make sure they know that they are moving forward and that their practice and hard work is paying off. It’s so nice when a piano song comes together quickly and they can see how that they may actually be able to play it well very soon. Of course they should still have challenging music now and then, but make sure the music you choose is at their level and can bring some (results. This is another thing I loved about the Skoove app. The Skoove technology uses sound and sight at the same time to help progression to be faster. Because you can see the visual of the hands and the notes at the same time as well as hear the music, the learning seems to be a lot faster! My daughter and I both loved that we were able to play the basics of one of our favorite songs in just 30 minutes.

Use a media to help your teen learn.

Use a media to help your teen learn. Teenagers nowadays are accustomed to learning quickly and they want results fast. They are also used to using a variety of learning methods with iPads, videos, games, and more. There are many music learning games and videos out there. Be creative. They live in a technology world, so Skoove is a perfect way to combine music learning with technology. It combines lessons with quick learning techniques. Teens are usually comfortable with learning on a screen and they’ll catch on right away.

I hope these ideas will help you get your teen practicing the piano very soon. Visit the Skoove blog if you want more piano lesson tips and inspiration. I highly recommend Skoove. It is an program that is high quality and worth downloading for sure. It is free to use the basic version, but the Premium version offers way more features to make the learning even better. Here’s a few other answers to some question about Skoove:

Have a wide selection of fascinating repertoire. No one likes playing music in only one genre. Make sure your students are exposed to classical, jazz, new age, boogie, and church hymns to give them a wide variety of styles, speeds, and moods. Choosing flashy pieces written by modern composers (especially ones that are trending on YouTube) will definitely impress your students and motivate them to practice.

Challenge your students. Show them that you think they are capable of mastering a difficult piece, and they'll rise to the occasion. Make sure not to choose a piece that is too difficult; a little bit of a challenge is all a student usually needs. Be sure to be encouraging.

Make their practice time fun. Introduce a reward system for those who spend a certain amount of time practicing each week or who play their pieces very well at lessons. Change up their weekly assignments and make sure that no one is bored with their sheet music or their technical exercises.

Introduce improvisation and composition. Encourage students just to play around with notes and find combinations that they like. Familiarize them with chords, key signatures, and other elements of music theory.

Ask students to choose easy pieces to play during their free time. Even five minutes spent playing a song below their grade level will give them a confidence boost and help them relax and enjoy piano rather than regarding it as a chore.

Make sure your student has a goal for their piano practicing. Do they want to be part of a band, win a competition or scholarship, or attend university to get a music degree? Make sure that they set a goal and work toward it.

Sandwich constructive criticism with praise. Students will feel much more motivated to practice if they finish their lesson feeling encouraged, challenged, and inspired. Always put a positive spin on criticisms to avoid discouraging your students.

Reflect on the student's progress. Go back and watch/listen to old recordings of your student, and he'll instantly feel encouraged by noticing how much he has improved. You'll also feel inspired by seeing and hearing his progress.

Teach music history. Even a small snippet of information about a composer or the history of a song can be fascinating! Familiarizing students with composers of pieces they are learning helps them engage better with the music and will help them appreciate it more.

Have your student attend a live concert. Listening to a professional pianist or orchestra may be just the thing to inspire your lagging student to apply himself to practice more diligently. He may even want to eventually play one of the songs he heard at the concert!

Learn along with your student. Don't feel like you have to have everything figured out in advance. If your student really wants to play rock or jazz, guide him through the music as best as you can even if you don't like the genre. What's important is fueling his love for music, because then he'll be willing to practice.

Make Sure They Know HOW to Practice

Make Sure They Know WHAT to Practice

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Show an Interest in What They’re Learning

Have a Concert Once a Week

Make Practicing Fun!

Having a sticker chart can hugely motivate students to practice piano, especially younger children! Get a sheet of enticing stickers and have your child aim to collect the entire sheet.

Have a Set Time for Practice

The Seven Habits of Successful Teen Piano Students

Collaboration– Teens are motivated by relationships with their peers. Teen students who stick with piano lessons long-term have typically found a way to also turn their piano proficiency into a social outlet.

Challenge

Create a Routine

One of the easiest ways of getting children to practice playing ukulele is to make it a part of their daily routine.

It should be something they know will be a part of their day, just like lunch and brushing their teeth.

Daily practice, whether it’s right after school, later in the evening, or even in the morning, will help them learn to create habits of discipline and structure. That can last them well into their adult years.

Keep It Low-Stress

This practice time, however, shouldn’t be a stressful event. Piano teachers often give their students certain pieces to work on, but remember that kids like to have fun, too. Playing any instrument should be a fun experience, so don’t always make your kids work on the music they’ve been assigned. Set aside a day or two every week to let them play whatever they want. Some creative kids may even try writing their own music.

Don’t Be Too Focused on Length of Time

Avoid forcing your children to practice every single minute of a thirty-minute session. This can make practice seem like a chore or an unfair, drawn-out task. Instead, let them play for as long as they’re excited to do so. There may be days they don’t want to practice at all. On these days, let them know that they should at least play a few songs so as to keep in the habit. If nothing else, tell them they can have an extra reward or other small prize if they practice for even ten minutes.

Studying with Piano Teachers Is a Special Opportunity

Another way of motivating your child to practice piano is to talk to them about how taking piano lessons in Atlanta is a special opportunity that some of their peers may never have. Discuss how the ability to play music is a wonderful skill they will be able to use for the rest of their life. If you play music, talk about how much you enjoy it and share moments from your past where music played a special part. You may even want to take your child to a local concert so they can see how much fun a trained pianist can have.

Be Involved

Piano lessons and practice aren’t just opportunities for your child, though. It also gives you a chance to be involved in something they’re doing. If you play piano, you can play along with them. If you don’t, this could be your chance to learn alongside them. Let your child teach you a song or piano basics. This lets you spend quality time together, teaches you piano, and helps reinforce their lessons. Celebrate Their Accomplishments

Finally, celebrate your kids’ successes and accomplishments. Learning to play any instrument is a challenge, and it’s important to reward even the smaller victories. This is especially true in the beginning where even playing a few notes can be difficult. Offer words of encouragement regularly and do something special like getting an ice cream cone when your child hits major milestones. Looking to enroll your child in piano lessons? Contact Lessons in Your Home today. We partner local coaches in major cities across the U.S. who will visit your home to spend individualized attention on your child. Unleash your child’s musical potential!

Why won't my kid practice ukulele/guitar/piano/cello?

Who wants your kid to play music?

Who wants your kid to play piano?

Is it really your kid?

Kids sometime want to play another instrument that their parents told them to

So many people came to me wanting to learn ukulele telling me the same story:

As they were young, their parents wanted them to learn piano. The kid get registred to a music school. They went to music theory lessons. They went to piano lessons. Every week. For a year or two, they learned piano, and ended up giving up on music, in disgust.

They came to me decades after, telling me their story, and saying that they would have much preferred learning another instrument, if they had the choice.

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One of my students confessed that she registered in their youth all her kids to learn music. Why? Because she was so sad she didn't have this opportunity to learn playing music as a kid.

None of her kids (who are adults now) play music anymore!

Parents projects themselves on their kid. Off course, they want the best for them! Of course, they want them to be able to do what they hadn't a chance to learn! Because they think it'd be great for their kids.

But sometime, the kid wished they could play another instrument. Sometime, the kid don't want to play any instrument at all!

Let them the choose!

Also, it's common for a kid to want to change instrument in their teen. They want to try new things. Their taste in music guides them to learn something they think is cool.

What about you? Wouldn't you dream to be able to play music?

If the kid doesn't want to play the instrument that, you think, would be the best for them, it may be that you would like to try it. Despite the lack of time (everybody's busy nowadays, right?), why won't you try playing music?

Maybe you want to play piano. Or ukulele (I'm there to help you starting to learn ukulele ;) ). Or cello, or violin?

In any case, have a go!! Don't stop the first month. But persevere: it'll be easy, as long as you learn step by step.

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I hope this article has helped you :)

I hope you have a fantastic day.