James i teach my daughter keyboard . She is now 10 and started playing seriously about 2 months ago. We have a great time. she enjoys spending the time with her dad and she is progressing in leaps and bounds. she also has a once a week music lesson at school so we combine her formal tuition with her jam session with me. If it works well James it can be a marvelous and blessed time between father and daughter. Dont let that opportunity pass you by without at least giving it a try. It doesnt have to be one choice over another . It can be both.

Just my 2 cents

James - Are we all missing something here? Your daughter wants out of other classes and lessons; does she want to take piano lessons right now? Maybe she needs a little time off to just be a little girl. Just a thought...

Hi guys.
My eldest is 6 who spent most her life on stage 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.
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My daughter would have to go into great detail on 'why the abruptness'?
IF the answer is not acceptable, i would force her to attend 3 more lessons to see if something sweeps her off her feet to once again have a passion return unto her...something stoled her passion..WHAT!?

Yeah good point.

It's not long now to Christmas so I think we will give her a complete break until the new year either way. It will take that long to get her booked in for lessons anyway as all the existing classes running right now don't finish until late December.

It's hard to know what to do. There's no reset button you can press on being a parent

Kind Regards
James

I guess we all have our opinions, and that’s good, but an open mind will always fuel you with more knowledge.

When I asked to play an instrument and that instrument was trumpet, and that decision was made by my dad (Wrong) I was sent to my uncle’s home who played trumpet with the street bands. Hold on for this one; I had to study the reading of music. You call out the names of the notes and you move your hand to the tempo like a conductor. Till this day reading and timing has not been an issue, I paid the price.

I studies trumpet for three years and then turned away.
I took guitar lessons for 7 years and continued with the big pros when they came to New York City.

When I bought my keyboard I promised that I would not take lessons. Reason, learning a great deal about playing your instrument has a tendency to make you play mechanical. We see that in the people who constantly play their well learned scales. As the guitarist Chet Atkins said when asked if he could read music, “Not enough to hurt my playing”.
I decided that I needed to put what I had learned in storage and express my what I was feeling. I now play my impro lines differently on both instruments. I mastered the guitar and I just play the keyboard.

As for reading music, it is simple. If I can teach a child of 6 to read music what’s the big deal. As far as the theory of music I never taught a theory class only enough theory to help them in the present.
AND, if you are not able to read music it is very much like going to the library and being surrounded with knowledge and excitement but you have no way to get it.

Every area has it pros and cons, there is no perfect area.
As for James and his daughter – don’t listen to her words but her feelings, it is there where you become her precious and her friend the rest is only just STUFF. If they end up playing or not is the big deal. What is important is that they have the freedom to select according to their desires and talents and gifts. This in no way puts away your leadership, it remains very important it just operates with a different motive that is loaded with sensitivity.

Wow, did I write all that?

John C.

As I read the responses, I felt that maybe you should ask her? Maybe some downtime and see what comes to the top...

The only post in my neck of the woods was Cass'.

We give our girls the options. You can do this, you can do that, you can do nothing for right now. You tell us.

Seems to be working very well for us so far. Good luck whichever way you go.

(That Cassp is a smart & wise guy!)

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Bill in Dayton

Initially, I decided not to post anything on this thread. However, having raised two fine children of my own, I can unequivocally tell you that the best thing to do is allow them to be kids for a while. They'll discover lots of neat things while growing up, and while they're walking along this path you should be with them every step along the way.

Eventually, they'll decide on their own if they wish to pursue music, either as a hobby or as a career. There are loads of great teaching aids for budding piano players, some of which are online, and one that I highly recommend for youngsters of all ages is Scott Houston's, which can be found here.

For many years I wrote a column that entitled "Take A Kid Fishing," which is something I did with both of my children. They learned a lot just by having fun with good old Dad and catching loads of monster bluegills, bass and catfish. I taught them the basics, how to tie knots correctly, how to bait a hook, how to cast safely, how to hook and land a fish, and how to release the fish with the least amount of injury. After all these years, they still love to go fishing with Dad.

When it came to music, my son picked up a guitar, and taught himself how to play. He quickly learned more chords than I knew existed, his chops were incredible, and within a year he was playing in a rock band. A year later, the band went on a nationwide tour and booked an European tour. Unfortunately, a couple of the band members got involved in drugs about halfway through the U.S. tour. My son packed his gear, climbed aboard a bus and came home. He still gets together with some old friends and jams once in a while, but that's as far as it goes.

My daughter loves music. But, she has absolutely no interest in playing. She's a great singer, but again, no interest in learning how to perfect her voice and sing professionally.

If I had to raise two more children, even at this stage in life, I wouldn't change much of anything I did. I would still opt to let them be kids, take them fishing and boating, and encourage them in any endeavor they choose.

Good Luck,

Gary

chas

Another "gem" from Gary, the Wise!

Absolutely agree!


Russ