| It's that time of week again: time for your scheduled | | | | important. It will keep you interested in learning more. |
| piano lesson. There's just one problem: You don't want | | | | When you want to learn more you will look forward to |
| to go. In fact, you're dreading it. What should you do? | | | | your lessons. |
| First off, reconsider why you're taking piano lessons. | | | | * Consider your relationship with your teacher. Is he or |
| Are you taking up the piano because of your love of | | | | she approachable in the context of offering guidance? |
| music? If so, that's great! The first part of the equation | | | | Do you feel they're going through the motions at |
| is settled. | | | | lessons, not concerned about your progress? Do you |
| Next, are you studying the piano because you love the | | | | fear asking questions because their attitude intimidates |
| instrument; how it sounds, the way it plays? Do you | | | | you? Are they sticklers about teaching you only what |
| love how creative you can be with a set of keys in | | | | they want to teach you? Do they have no regard for |
| front of you? Do you love the possibilities for creative | | | | your musical interests? Again, if you answered yes to |
| musical expression a piano allows? When compared | | | | one or some of these you may want to consider a |
| to other instruments, do you keep leaning towards the | | | | different teacher. A teacher can be the difference in |
| piano? | | | | whether you love or hate piano lessons. |
| If you answered yes to all or some of these then | | | | * Are your lessons convenient for you in terms of time |
| you've solved the second part of the equation. | | | | and location? This is so basic, and yet so vital. You're |
| So, what have we concluded? We've concluded that | | | | busy enough in life. You're trying to meet deadlines at |
| you love music, and, you love the piano as a tool to | | | | work. You're trying to get the children to all their |
| create music. | | | | activities. Is the time or location of your lessons just |
| Therefore, there's hope for you and your piano | | | | another hassle? Don't let that happen. Make your piano |
| lessons. | | | | lessons a creative respite from your regular weekly |
| Now, you have to decide how you can make lessons | | | | duties. Make it your time, at your convenience, when |
| enjoyable, again. | | | | you have the time. If it's a hassle to get to lessons |
| Here's a few ways to make piano lessons something | | | | because it's too far away, consider in-home lessons. If |
| to look forward to each week: | | | | you're rushed getting home from work and then to a |
| * Be prepared. One big reason people start to hate | | | | lesson, consider a later time. |
| their weekly lessons is that they do not practice. What | | | | * Lastly, know, as with anything in life, that there are |
| results from not practicing at all, or enough? One, you | | | | natural highs and lows. Nothing always goes smoothly. |
| don't make progress as a piano player. Secondly, | | | | There will be weeks when the piano seems like a |
| because you see no growth in your skills you conclude | | | | block of wood in front of you. No matter what you do |
| lessons are a waste of time. Therefore, lack of piano | | | | it won't respond the way you want it to. There will be |
| practicing causes a chain reaction. The chain reaction | | | | weeks when you feel like you're the second coming |
| ends with distaste for weekly lessons. You have to | | | | of Mozart. Every key you touch blossoms with |
| remember practice makes perfect - or at least | | | | beautiful sound. On the bad weeks, you may feel like |
| progress. When you see yourself making progress, | | | | shying away from lessons. On the good weeks, you |
| lessons will have a purpose. | | | | won't be able to get enough of learning. The key is to |
| * Make sure you're studying what you want to learn. | | | | keep an even keel; ride out the tough weeks knowing |
| It's fine, and necessary to learn the fundamentals. It's | | | | the good weeks will return. With a balanced approach, |
| wise to learn about the masters of the past, whether | | | | you will look forward to your lessons. |
| classical, jazz, or whatever. It's also wise to learn the | | | | Piano lessons can be enjoyable on a weekly basis for |
| style of music you love. It's probably the reason you | | | | both adults and kids. It just takes a proper attitude, a |
| signed up for lessons in the first place. You're desire to | | | | proper perspective, and preparation. |
| imitate and create music in the genre you love is | | | | |