Most parents have high hopes for their kids as far as musical talents go, as they should. But these dreams can come crashing down as soon as your child expresses disinterest in their music lessons. There are several reasons why your child might not be a fan of classes right now, but the good news is you can help encourage them through their process.

As parents, you want what’s best for your child, so read on to find out why music lessons might feel like ‘torture’ to your kid and how you can show them the value of music!

1. They don’t like to practice.

Practicing can feel like a chore, especially when parents don’t encourage music time outside of practice. Help your child learn discipline by incorporating both practice time and playtime into their daily routines. Practicing is probably the #1 reason children hate music, but every great musician has to practice.

2. They don’t like their instrument.

Just because you envisioned your kid playing the violin doesn’t mean that’s their instrument of choice. Your kid might be wanting to skip on their weekly lessons simply because they aren’t excited about the instrument they play. So instead, encourage your children to play the instrument that they’re most interested in.

3. They feel pressured.

At the end of the day, music should be fun! Creating a positive environment around music and recognizing your child’s accomplishments will help calm their inner-critic. Feeling pressure to meet high expectations or play a particular instrument can turn any kid off their music lessons.

4. They don’t like their teacher.

Not every teacher is the right fit, and that’s okay. If the connection between your child and their teacher isn’t there, you both have every right to find a teacher that can meet their needs. Before immediately signing up for lessons, you and your child can plan a visit to the music school to meet prospective teachers!

5. They think that they aren’t musically talented.

Kids can be pretty hard on themselves, especially when they aren’t picking up a new skill quickly. But the reality is, not everyone is a musical prodigy, and most of us all start at step one. Music is a craft, and if students put their minds to it, they can find success in it. But they’ll have to push past the hurdles, just as every great musician has done.

Conclusion

The next time your kid says, “I hate music!” find out what they’re really saying. More often than not, they don’t actually want to stop music lessons, and likely you can help them sort out what’s truly going on. Music lessons have an incredibly positive impact on children’s lives, so don’t be quick to let your child quit their studies.

If you’re thinking about enrolling your child in music lessons, Spark School of Music is ready to work with your budding musician! Learn more about our music lessons here.

Finding the right music teacher is like finding the right friend. You want to find an instructor for yourself or your child that can provide a learning environment that is encouraging, safe, and trustworthy. Music lessons are a worthwhile investment so ensure that you find the right one by doing your research!

Here’s a step by step guide to finding a music teacher and setting up your first lesson:

Where do I find a music teacher?

First things first, you need to know where to search for your potential teacher. The search for the best music teacher out there can feel overwhelming, but rest assured, there are many easy ways to find them. Here are a couple of ideas:

1. Search for “music school” online

With just a quick Google search, you can pull up plenty of information about music teachers in your area. Be sure to read the reviews to see what past and current students have to say about the instruction.

2. Ask your friends and family

This is probably one of the best ways to find a great music teacher because you can ask people you trust! Someone in your circle is likely taking lessons, so asking your coworkers, friends, or people at church for suggestions will undoubtedly land you with a name or two.

What qualities should I look for in a music teacher?

So what makes a good music teacher ‘good’? Sometimes you have the option to meet with an instructor and even attend a trial lesson before committing to weekly classes, so you need to know what to look for in a teacher. Be on the lookout for the following traits in an instructor:

• A good teacher can make the student feel confident mastering a complex skill.
• A good teacher challenges students to accomplish goals they thought they couldn’t.
• A good teacher listens to students’ desires and creates a personalized lesson plan.
• A good teacher can be honest without belittling students.

After I’ve picked out a teacher I like, what happens next?

Once you’ve identified what you’re looking for in a teacher, all you’ve got to do is pick up the phone and call them! Then, make sure you ask them all your questions about what supplies you need for music lessons, how much it costs, cancellation policies, and more.

After you’ve covered all the basics, it should be time for you to look forward to the very first lesson!

Conclusion

Finding the right music teacher doesn’t have to be a feat, especially when you know what you’re looking for and have done your research. 

Still on the search for private music instructors? Spark School of Music provides personalized music lessons for adults and children ages pre-school and up!

So if you’re searching for private music lessons in Maple Grove, MN, or Blaine, MN, Spark School of Music has an incredible lineup of teachers who are passionate about nurturing musicians. 

Learn more about our private lessons and how you can schedule a trial lesson here.