How do I keep my seven yr old interested in piano

Anna - posted on 11/19/2012

I've had similar problems with my child. She said she hated the piano but in the end, it was because she hated the teacher. Do you know why she hates the piano? If not, maybe it will help. Best wishes!

Kirsten - posted on 08/28/2009

There are some great ideas in here about making it fun for her. Rewarding when she does practice and getting her some fun music that she likes would be great. If you can find a CD or better yet attend a concert with someone playing the piano it might help her to become more interested too. In the end though, I think you have to let her make the ultimate decision on whether or not she wants to keep doing it. Maybe the two of you can sit down and set a time when she's allowed to decide for herself if she wants to continue. Maybe say she has to stick with it until the first recital and after that she can decide if she wants to continue. This was you can show her that music (as well as many things in life) take some hard work and dedication to do well but not force her to do something that she may end up hating. And if she does decide to give it up for awhile maybe you can ask her again in a year or two if she would like to try another instrument.

Mellissa - posted on 08/27/2009

set up rewards for practice time and get some popular song piano books. she may not be able to use them for lessons, but will enjoy playing. use these songs as rewards after she has put in her practice time for lessons.

Rebecca - posted on 05/20/2009

Keep it fun! Make a chart of squares. Each square represents 5 minutes. Let her color a square for every 5 minutes she practices. Set a goal. I encouraged students that young to practice 10 minutes a day. If they met that goal then they received a point for every minute they practiced. You could set up a weekly reward or monthly. My students would accumulate points and then I would let them come to my "praise store" and spend them. I would have a variety of things for them. You could have coupons for special treats or activities. I would also suggest sitting with her while she practices and ask her to show you what she is learning. Let her teach you.

Juanita - posted on 05/19/2009

oh...at her age, it would probably be easy to find a book of kid's songs for her to learn.

Juanita - posted on 05/19/2009

definitely try to find ways to make it more fun for her and to focus on *her* interests with music.

my husband was forced to play the violin until he was 16, and he never "learned appreciation." he pretty much detests the thing, wants to sell his very expensive violin as soon as his mom passes, and has very bad memories of his mother "practicing" with him and insisting on instructing him when she had never had lessons and was living through him.

i always resented that my parents wouldn't let me have voice lessons, instead insisting on piano and violin. my father confessed on my wedding day when i serenaded my husband that he never knew i had such a good voice. *snort*

that being said, i, unlike my husband, did learn to enjoy and appreciate the piano. i later took jazz lessons in HS, played 5 different instruments, and i have a decent ear for harmonizing vocally, all built on my foundations on the piano. i even took a few lessons on tuning the piano. i think the main difference between what happened for me and my husband is that i had a fabulous teacher i adored and she picked interesting music for me. my parents got me songbooks too: musicals, disney movies, beatles, oldies, etc. i was with the same teacher for 10 years, babysat her kids, and still keep in touch with her.

Sarah - posted on 05/19/2009

Ive recently had a converstion with one of my lecturer's at uni about this. She made her kids have piano lessons until they were 10 and then told them they could choose another instrument if they wanted. Piano is so good for developing hand eye coordination, crossing the mid line and many other cognitive functions in children as well as developing a love of an appreciation for music. I think the comment about letting her chose the music is a great way of helping to keep her motivated :)

Susan - posted on 05/19/2009

I have 6 year old twins in piano for the first time this year. My son has ADHD, and it can be a challenge. We have found a wonderful teacher who teaches to them, not just on getting so many pieces done. If he is having a rough day he does rhythm work with maracas, tamborines etc. She keeps the focus on music, but mixes it up with fun activities as well. Maybe as your teacher how she can spruce things up. Is there some simple music from High School Musical, Hannah Montana or something your daughter likes, that she can teach her. Something recognizable that is current. Can she learn rythm or other instruments for practice. Do some fun chart exercises. Its worth paying for if they gain a love of music, after all that is what it is about. Also, maybe consider a book change, have her go to the piano store with teachers suggestions of books and let her pick out the music. There is plenty of time if she wants to do Royal Conservatory testing in the future. Hope she continues...she will love and appreciate you for it in the end. :)

Angela - posted on 05/19/2009

maybe start her off with learning the keyboard which is more 'exciting' (i don't know the right word to use here) than the piano for a child (using my experience here). Then transfer to the piano when she is ready (older and more mature). It's not an easy thing to motivate a child into doing something they don't like. Maybe offer her a different instrument which she is interested in. If she has a musical talent then let her excel in what she likes and enjoys. Good luck xo