Parents should encourage not force children into lessons
Posted by Tim Mackey on June 19, 2009
In my over 40 years of teaching private music lessons, one of the most frustrating things for me as a teacher is to go thrugh the painful process of dealing with students (and their parents) who have been forced into taking lessons from me.
Recently I had a pair of sisters enrolled where the parents literally had to DRAG one of the daughters from their minivan into my studio, screaming and yelling that she didn't want to take guitar lessons.
The first lesson was "really fun" to say the least. One sister was interested, willing and had some natural talent. The other sat in the back of the studio with her parents sobbing and complaining about having to be there.
The parents forced her into taking her place next to me at the music stand to start the lesson when it was her turn. The surprising fact was -- she had more natural ability than her sister, but absolutely no interest in pursuing lessons.
The parents told her she "was going to take at least one months lessons, or else" to give it a fair try.
Not wanting to ruin the chances for the other sister that WANTED to take the lessons, I agreed to let them come back.
Next week was a repeat of the "crying scene" at the curb in front of my studio -- which was embarassing for all concerned -- especially the sister who wanted to be there.
At the end of that session the parents finally conceded to the daughter that didn't want the lessons........ with a very loud statement to her that she "would be grounded until further notice!!"
I continued with lessons with the other sister with no problems.
The moral of this story is - DON'T FORCE YOUR KIDS INTO LESSONS! It's not fun for them -- and even less fun for the teacher..........
