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Screeching sounds beautiful to me

Our daughter Kate started violin lessons this year. Screeching has never sounded more beautiful to me!

Kate (age 5) playing violin in her Spring Concert

Let me be honest, having a child learn an instrument takes a lot of dedication as a parent.

Our daughter attends lessons twice a week for 1/2 an hour and practices about 5 days a week.

When she first started lessons I tried to have regular practice time, but found that it was creating a battle. I wanted my daughter to enjoy playing her violin and not be forced, so we decided to try something different. We have found that keeping her violin out of it’s case on our window seat in the kitchen has made regular practice time more appealing. We no longer have a set time for her to play, instead, as she walks by the kitchen, she will pick up her violin, play for 3-5 minutes and then move on to something else. She usually plays this way about 4 times per evening.

Classes do not come without a price tag, so I understand how some parents become really strict about practice time. I know for our family situation Kate is much happier when she plays now that we have eased up and I feel that she learns best when not forced! On the weekends we play a little game to practice ~ the idea for the game from the Momalog blog.

I have to admit that I was very proud of Kate at her Spring concert. She stood up in front of a large group of people and played her heart out!

As a mama, I feel that as long as she tries her best and has fun the investment was worth it…the screeches make me smile!

Does your child play an instrument? How do you handle practice time?

Bewildered Bug

Saturday 11th of June 2011

WOW! That was awesome! Is this the concert you drove 3 hours for? It was so worth it - your daughter is a beautiful little girl and so talented! If it's any consolation, my mother sat through years and years of me learning the piano when I was younger. When I left the house to come to Canada for university, everytime I saw her or my Dad they kept saying how much they missed me practicing in the mornings and the evenings. You will reach that point sooner than you know...treasure it while you can :)

Multi-Testing Mommy

Saturday 11th of June 2011

Adorable! Simply adorable. How old is she?

I've started to teach my daughter piano lessons. At first, we did regular lessons, but now I only do them when she asks. I don't want them to be a chore. It's that fine balance.

I remember when I was a teenager, my parents made me start paying for my lessons on the weeks that I didn't practice my piano the way my teacher asked ;)

Kimberly

Friday 10th of June 2011

My son bangs on a drum but he's only 2. Of he wanted ro learn an instrument we'd let him for sure!

Ado

Friday 10th of June 2011

What a treat to see this Spring concert. I could listen to kids playing Twinkle forever. It is just so adorable. Currently I'm finding our daily practice (w. my 6 YO) challenging - really challenging - so I stop and go (NOT helpful for Ella!). We are heading to violin camp next week, I will keep you posted. Have you gone to any summer Suzuki institutes? They are really amazing. Great post (-;

Mommy Moment

Friday 10th of June 2011

Michelle, So encouraging to see how you make practice time work in your home! I think every kid and every family is different, so as parents we just need to find what works! Thanks for your comment!

Smiles, Jody