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.

We’ve all been there. Getting your kid to sit down and practice piano for an uninterrupted time can feel like pulling teeth out. It’s a slow and painful (seemingly impossible) process. Motivating your child to practice piano for their piano lessons can be challenging, but try to be empathic, and if you can, recall what it was like to sit down and be still for a full half-hour as a kid. Probably can’t, right? 

Parents, you want your kids to take the time to master the piano, so you have to encourage them to put in the work to do it. Here are 5 ways to help you motivate your child to practice the piano! 

Get creative with piano practice times. 

Playing the piano or any instrument for that matter takes intense focus and concentration. If you notice that your child struggles to concentrate during certain times of the day, take that as a cue to play around with practice times. Some parents have reported that getting their children to practice piano before school is an easy feat compared to practicing after-school when they’re tired. Try it out for yourself and see if it helps! 

Set a routine. 

So, you want your child to practice the piano like clockwork? Make it into a daily routine and teach your kids the importance of discipline and structure. If you really want to increase your chances of motivating them enough to practice regularly, let your child be in control and in charge of making their own schedule. 

Remember to make time for play. 

Practicing is necessary, but so is having fun too! Encourage your child to play the piano throughout the week just for fun. Maybe they can learn to play their favorite song or get creative and make a song of their own! Either way, don’t forget to give your child the space to be an artist. 

Create incentives with music games. 

The easiest way to trick, I mean, motivate your kid into practicing piano is by making a game out of it. Decide on a reward together that they’ll receive if they play the piano for x amount of time or master a scale or song. You can come up with your own game that works best to motivate your kid!

Be their biggest cheerleader.

Offering words and acts of encouragement to your kid is a tried-and-true method for motivating your child to practice the piano. The piano isn’t an easy instrument to master, and it’s important to highlight all the milestones along the way so that they feel motivated to keep going! Celebrate your child’s accomplishments no matter how big or small they may be. 

Options may seem slim when you feel like you’ve tried everything to encourage your child to practice, but if there’s a will, there’s always a way! Try out these tips for yourself and see if that makes practice time go a bit smoother. 

So, you’ve just enrolled your child in music lessons. Congratulations! It’s an exciting time for both you and your child, and I’m sure you’re eager to set your child up for success. Learning to play a new instrument isn’t easy, and your child will need your encouragement and guidance to keep at it. 

If you’re wondering what steps you can take to set your child up for success early on, read on to learn 7 tips to help you encourage your child’s musical success starting today!

1. Consider reframing the idea of “practicing.” 

Let’s be honest. The word “practice” just feels void of fun for kids. Try to keep things light and relaxed, and consider practicing time as “playing time” instead. It feels a lot less restrictive. 

2. Be involved in the process.

Encourage your child’s musical success by showing them that you’re interested and want to be a part of their musical journey. Sit in with them during their lessons or playing time at home, and ask them questions about their music. 

3. Praise your child every step of the way.

Being your child’s biggest cheerleader goes a long way. It doesn’t matter the size of the accomplishment. Just celebrate your child’s success! There will be highs and lows throughout their experience learning music, so be sure to praise them during the highlights. 

4. Establish a routine.

It’ll be challenging to get your child into the habit of practicing for music lessons and playing regularly if they don’t have a routine. Incorporate times for music in their daily schedules so that they’ll establish discipline and good habits early on. 

5. Refrain from making negative remarks about music sounds.

Listen. Your child is a beginner and of course, listening to them play is not the same as going to a concert at Target Center. So, be careful about making negative comments because this could really discourage your child from trying to be better. Refrain from negative comments altogether, and make this rule clear to other family members, too. 

6. Introduce them to a role model.

One of the best ways to get your child excited about music and becoming a better musician is by introducing them to a positive role model. Perhaps ask a musician in your community or church to mentor your child, or you can simply prioritize taking your kid to amateur and professionals music performances. Show them that it’s possible to be a talented performer. It just takes a bit of work! 

7. Encourage others to praise your child.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, right? Your child will love to hear praises from other family members and loved ones when they accomplish a milestone, so encourage your village to say a kind word or two when you know your child could use some extra loving. 

Get excited about your child’s new musical journey because it is a special time, and before you know it, your child won’t be playing beginner’s music anymore. Encourage your child’s musical success today with these tips!

If you aren’t a musician yourself, you’re probably aren’t well-versed in the world of guitars enough to know how to pick the right one. That’s okay because we’re here to help you! Your budding musician is likely ready to rock and roll, so let’s get right to it. 

Whether you need help choosing the right size, or you don’t have anything idea where to start, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the right guitar for your child.

Step 1: Decide on the type of guitar. 

There are three types of guitars: acoustic, electric, and classical. Depending on what kind of music your kid likes, they will likely gravitate towards a specific guitar. Here’s a breakdown of the three different types of guitars: 

Electric Guitar

• Smaller than an acoustic and classical guitar 
• Great for musicians who like country, rock, or pop music 
• Can be heavy
• Has steel strings that can be hard on young fingers 
• Needs an amp

Acoustic Guitar

• Similar in shape to a classical guitar 
• Bright and loud sound 
• Has steel strings that can be hard on young fingers 
• Good for contemporary music 

Classical Guitar

• Has nylon strings that are softer for young fingers 
• Warm and full sound
• Tend to come in a default shape and size
• Suitable for classical and Latin styles of music 

Step 2: Find the right size.

The last thing you want to do is do all this research just to buy a guitar that’s either too big or too small for your child. The size of the guitar matters, and if your child is having a difficult time playing their instrument, that might be a sign that the guitar isn’t a good fit. 

Electric Guitar 

• Recommended size for ages 5-8 is 1/2 size 
• Recommended size for ages 8-12 is 3/4 size
• Recommended size for ages 12+ is a full size 

Acoustic Guitar 

• Recommended size for ages 5-12 is 3/4 size 
• Recommended size for ages 12-15 is a small body 
• Recommended size for ages 15+ is a full size 

Classical Guitar 

• Recommended size for ages 2-5 is 1/4 size
• Recommended size for ages 5-8 is 1/2 size
• Recommended size for ages 8-12 is 3/4 size
• Recommended size for ages 12+ is a full size 

Step 3: Purchase the guitar and enroll them in lessons.

Woohoo! Now that you’ve gotten a complete breakdown of the different types of guitar, you and your child can go out and choose the best fit. Afterward, don’t waste another minute and go ahead and enroll your child in music school. Or even better, enroll them in music school before the process to receive extra help choosing the right guitar.

Your child’s guitar teacher at Spark School of Music is the ideal person to consult when you’re buying your child’s first guitar or even when you think it might be time to size up. Your child’s musical success starts with choosing the best guitar suited just for them!