I suppose that the biggest issue is one of commitment. Children these days have more opportunities than ever before, and coupled with the parental desire for them to do all the things they didn’t have the chance to do, it’s so often a case of a ‘taster of everything’ but ‘commitment to nothing’. For most of the children I teach, their piano lesson is part of a large range of activities they do, usually something every day of the week.
I have seen a major shift in perspective in the past few years; piano lessons appear to be viewed by many parents and children as a weekly “class”. Most of my students do practice at home, but it’s much more difficult for them. As a college-level teacher I began to see this trend brought to its extreme: I had a student in my Keyboard Skills class actually sign up for 2 college classes that met at the same time. He figured that he could attend one on Mondays and the other on Wednesdays! We had to explain to him that college doesn’t work that way 🙂
I find that in my studio — community of 3200 people — I am doing more and more group make-up lessons and the kids like them. I also bought and set up 4 computers with software so the kids can come in and do a lesson at their convenience which consist of theory and composition. My faithful are my adults.
I have been thinking about changing my format from 30 to 45-minute lessons for everyone, for this very reason, the overbooked student. Usually, the kids don’t have their Theory or Note Speller assignments done because they are not including this in their practice time at home. If I include it in the lesson, then at the very least, we see some progress in those areas. Also, I want the lesson to be longer than the drive time to and from my house. I figure it takes a total of 30 minutes both ways, no matter where people live, due to traffic and transition time. How short the lessons must seem to busy parents who are so harried. If they have 45 minutes, maybe they can even run a quick errand while their kids are at lessons. 30 minutes isn’t long enough for that. Thoughts?
My students seem to get better over the years, especially since I do once a month Group Lessons in lieu of individual lessons. The parents seem to make lessons more of a priority lately which I am taking full advantage of that since that could change at any given time.
I would say in general, kids these days are too overscheduled. Today’s parents seem quite focused on letting their kids experience “a little of everything”, which actually results in being torn between too many activities. These kids are missing out on getting really good at one or two things; piano certainly being one of them, since piano takes a lot of dedication and practice! I have some students who are lucky if they get TWO days of practice. I had one girl this past year that was taking singing lessons, violin lessons, in mariachi band, in swim lessons, and in piano. She maybe had three weeks out of the whole time at my studio that she ever got ANY practice whatsoever. It was extremely frustrating for me as a teacher. I actually think it’s abusive for parents to allow students to sign up for so many activities. This girl was always tired.
On the other hand, you still find true gems. I have one girl in my studio who practices EVERY day of the week. Her father is a great influence on her when it comes to being committed. 🙂
I do agree students are over-scheduled and over-booked these days. It’s not only the other activities that keep students from practicing, but all the electronic distractions as well. However, I do have students who use YouTube to learn pieces beyond their reading scope, which also helps to motivate them. It’s a different way of learning. And those students are some of my best practicers. And my boy students, from age 7 to 17 are my best practicers, too.
This is not a comment, but an inquiry – What software (and where can it be obtained) do you use with your students,Jeannie? Are there any online sites?
Julie – how do you “use” You Tube with your students? Can you direct me to the sites?
greetings
hi april, sounds like we are sharing the same student! this poor little girl is always exhausted when it is time for her piano lesson. she is studying japanese, chinese, fencing, swimming, soccer… ( i can’t even remember all the activities, but it is so many it is difficult to even schedule the lessons which are 7:30 am saturday morning. as that was the only free hour in her hectic weekly schedule!
Many of the students at the school also have a different activity everyday of the week, and i often ask them how or when are you able to practice?
it is a very different time from when I was a child studying. piano /music was my main and only activity along with ballet saturday mornings. Once I started going to Manhattan School of Music Saturday mornings, piano and music was my only activity.
David Barton says
I suppose that the biggest issue is one of commitment. Children these days have more opportunities than ever before, and coupled with the parental desire for them to do all the things they didn’t have the chance to do, it’s so often a case of a ‘taster of everything’ but ‘commitment to nothing’. For most of the children I teach, their piano lesson is part of a large range of activities they do, usually something every day of the week.
Emily Davidson says
I have seen a major shift in perspective in the past few years; piano lessons appear to be viewed by many parents and children as a weekly “class”. Most of my students do practice at home, but it’s much more difficult for them. As a college-level teacher I began to see this trend brought to its extreme: I had a student in my Keyboard Skills class actually sign up for 2 college classes that met at the same time. He figured that he could attend one on Mondays and the other on Wednesdays! We had to explain to him that college doesn’t work that way 🙂
Jeannie says
I find that in my studio — community of 3200 people — I am doing more and more group make-up lessons and the kids like them. I also bought and set up 4 computers with software so the kids can come in and do a lesson at their convenience which consist of theory and composition. My faithful are my adults.
Jan says
I have been thinking about changing my format from 30 to 45-minute lessons for everyone, for this very reason, the overbooked student. Usually, the kids don’t have their Theory or Note Speller assignments done because they are not including this in their practice time at home. If I include it in the lesson, then at the very least, we see some progress in those areas. Also, I want the lesson to be longer than the drive time to and from my house. I figure it takes a total of 30 minutes both ways, no matter where people live, due to traffic and transition time. How short the lessons must seem to busy parents who are so harried. If they have 45 minutes, maybe they can even run a quick errand while their kids are at lessons. 30 minutes isn’t long enough for that. Thoughts?
Julie says
I like 45 minute lessons a lot. I have a friend who only teaches 1-hour lessons.
Nikkol D says
My students seem to get better over the years, especially since I do once a month Group Lessons in lieu of individual lessons. The parents seem to make lessons more of a priority lately which I am taking full advantage of that since that could change at any given time.
April Hamilton says
I would say in general, kids these days are too overscheduled. Today’s parents seem quite focused on letting their kids experience “a little of everything”, which actually results in being torn between too many activities. These kids are missing out on getting really good at one or two things; piano certainly being one of them, since piano takes a lot of dedication and practice! I have some students who are lucky if they get TWO days of practice. I had one girl this past year that was taking singing lessons, violin lessons, in mariachi band, in swim lessons, and in piano. She maybe had three weeks out of the whole time at my studio that she ever got ANY practice whatsoever. It was extremely frustrating for me as a teacher. I actually think it’s abusive for parents to allow students to sign up for so many activities. This girl was always tired.
On the other hand, you still find true gems. I have one girl in my studio who practices EVERY day of the week. Her father is a great influence on her when it comes to being committed. 🙂
Julie says
I do agree students are over-scheduled and over-booked these days. It’s not only the other activities that keep students from practicing, but all the electronic distractions as well. However, I do have students who use YouTube to learn pieces beyond their reading scope, which also helps to motivate them. It’s a different way of learning. And those students are some of my best practicers. And my boy students, from age 7 to 17 are my best practicers, too.
Nancy says
This is not a comment, but an inquiry – What software (and where can it be obtained) do you use with your students,Jeannie? Are there any online sites?
Julie – how do you “use” You Tube with your students? Can you direct me to the sites?
Thanks!
jamila says
greetings
hi april, sounds like we are sharing the same student! this poor little girl is always exhausted when it is time for her piano lesson. she is studying japanese, chinese, fencing, swimming, soccer… ( i can’t even remember all the activities, but it is so many it is difficult to even schedule the lessons which are 7:30 am saturday morning. as that was the only free hour in her hectic weekly schedule!
Many of the students at the school also have a different activity everyday of the week, and i often ask them how or when are you able to practice?
it is a very different time from when I was a child studying. piano /music was my main and only activity along with ballet saturday mornings. Once I started going to Manhattan School of Music Saturday mornings, piano and music was my only activity.