north bay trumpet studio

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Parental Role in Music Lessons

Typical teacher comment at a first lesson: "I want to help my child get the most out of their lessons and make sure they are practicing the right material and the right amount each week."

New student's/parent's comment: "How would you suggest going about that?"

• Be sure to ask the child IF they are interested in taking lessons.
• Be sure to ask WHY they are interested in taking lessons.
• Never help a child directly with a task that they have the means to complete on their own.
• A parent (and teacher) should move from helping regularly to "being available" (learning when not to help) as quickly as possible.
• Assistance can be replaced by the guidance provided by asking a question and stimulating the child to answer find their own solutions.
• A casual "nod", pat on the back, or smile after a practice session that has gone well is often adequate support.
• A parent can act as a non-judgmental listener and progress monitor 1 or 2 times a week if necessary.
• (Guidelines for this can be provided by the teacher via email upon request.)
• Listening to good recorded trumpet music together followed by the parent comment like: "I am sure you could do that by the time you graduate from high school if you continue to practice and take lessons."
• The question: "What are you working on right now for your next lesson?" can be an effective focus tool.
• This may also open a brief discussion of the content of a lesson and what instructions or tasks are on the horizon during the new week.
• If a child is working on something he already sounds good on, encouragement to begin to work more on things they can not yet do well might be helpful.
• A little encouragement goes a long way.
• If a student gets a little encouragement, they will be inspired to repeat the behavior that was praised.
• Curiosity about the student's "process" of cleaning their instrument, holding their instrument, practicing, can be helpful and inspiring.
• Everyone likes to share something about a subject that they know and about themselves.

Teacher comment: "If you are interested in helping your child, the best thing you can do is be available."