Hi guys.
I'm looking for some advice here. My eldest is 6 going on 7 in 2 months and my wife who spent most her life on stage has kind of directed our daughter down the same path as she has shown an interest in that, but this has come to an abrupt stop this week when our daughter asked straight out to leave the classed we had enrolled her in because she didn't like them.

We think it was the pressure of trying to get dance moves right alongside everyone else that made her feel this way and she's far too young to be pressured into doing anything creative she doesn't enjoy however......

She clearly has the gift of music / arts, but it's starting to look like it's from my side of the family naturally rather than my wife's. I've purchases a Yamaha keyboard for my daughter last year which he loves and plays all the time so now that she's left dance classes we are thinking of starting her off doing keyboard lessons instead.

So how should I proceed ?
I've heard it's not a good idea for daddy to teach daughter as kids can come to hate the lessons in time so do I then go with private lessons and a music teacher.

Any advice would be welcome.

Regards
James

Private lessons along with your total support.

You'd also be able to pick a good teacher, since you know your stuff.

It should be fun for the student at that age...a good teacher can make it fun while teaching proper technique.

James, why not enroll her in a piano class? I mean, if she's interested, of course. The transition from piano to organ or keyboard is easy but not the other way round. Just a thought.

Regards

Taike



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Bo pen nyang.

Thanks Ian.
I posted this elsewhere as well and I'm getting the same kind of response.

Everyone thinks it's a bad idea for me to teach her myself. She would get more of a sense of achievement if someone else teachers her and she gets to show us later what she has learned. Plus the fact it's not daddy or mammy telling her what to do.

There are 3 music teachers in our area so I'll give them a good grilling on the phone today to see which would be the best.

Thanks
James.

Thanks Taike.
That's what I'll do.

I just wanted to know if that's the right direction to take this or teach her myself.

Regards
James

Please do not teach your own child, I taught my sons to play guitar without any success.

When I think of raising children I picture a child when they first start to walk. If you keep holding them they never learn to walk. If you allow them to struggle and explore and only reach for them when it is really needed you then give their best possibility of success.

After owning a Music School with over 400 students I found the best students, the most successful were the ones who were left to their own direction. That in no way says that we stop supporting them, helping them. As a youngster I wanted to play the sax -- my Dad decided I should play a trumpet because my two front teeth were slightly bucked. Ahhhhhhh, my desire for the sax has not left me and after four different tries I still play a not-so-good trumpet.

James, listen to her carefully I am sure you will hear her heart. I call that really loving your child.

IMHO, John C.

James,
DEFINITELY a seperate teacher. My son (12) is learning bass and I am so glad we decided to enrol him with a non-related bass teacher.

I play bass myself (very much part-time) but I would have known enough to get him through the first couple of years.

But as I said, its been a teacher from day one beginners.

Best decision

Dennis

My wife's father taught her to drive which started their relationship on a downhill spiral that lasted until he finally croaked some 40 years later. My advice; don't teach them ANYTHING. Once they grow up and get a job, they can get a therapist and straighten themselves out. Look, just buy them an iPhone, an iPod, a laptop, and a high-limit credit card, and you won't have to even SEE them until they're ready for college. Trust me, it's best for everyone.

chas

James, I have 4 brothers...I'm the oldest. I'm the only one who did not have formal lessons, and I'm the only one who is involved in the music business or plays at all.

I think, as a player, though you might not be the ideal one to give the lessons, you can be very influential in listening to the direction your daughter goes and encouraging her. My daughter playhed flute for several years, until she was in the orchestra and had a fine Artley open hole instrument. She abruptly quit. My good friend, a music store owner, loudly asked, "how can you do that to your dad"? I had to correct him. She DIDN'T do a thing to me, but she made a choice at 15 that was important to her.

My oldest son is my bass player and my grandson is my drummer, and it's a joy. But, although they said that they got interested in music by association with me, I assisted and provided instruments, but did not insist.

Whatever works out, she'll be FINE, and Daddy's joy. Encourage, but don't dictate.

And savor the time together! Appreciate the very great honor of being your little girl's daddy.


That's what it's all about!


Russ

Taike ... I fully agree ... I wish I had studied piano ...

And while the parent obviously has to be a child's primary 'teacher', I think specialized teaching such as a musical instrument is best taught by someone outside the family circle ...

t.