| Sometimes parents of piano students don't want their | | | | students have an adequate instrument to play on, |
| children to play anything except classical music. And | | | | arrive at their lessons on time with their music, come to |
| sometimes parents only want their children to play | | | | their child's piano recitals, and provide financial support |
| popular pieces, because they think classical music | | | | for the cost of lessons. In my experience as a piano |
| stinks and their kids won't like it. Both of these attitudes | | | | teacher, parents who try to control their children's piano |
| create artificial limitations for students that hinder their | | | | lessons the most, also aren't doing their job. That's |
| ability to grow and develop musically. | | | | because they're confused about their role as the |
| Piano students need to learn a wide variety of playing | | | | parent. Think about it. If you are the parent of a piano |
| styles to know all they can about music. If all they play | | | | student, what is your role? What's the teacher's role? |
| are popular pieces, they won't develop the technique | | | | What's the student's role? It doesn't make sense when |
| necessary to play classical and many other styles of | | | | parents ignore their role, and then compensate by |
| music. If all they play are classical pieces, they won't | | | | trying to be the teacher and the student! So give your |
| learn to read and play rhythms found in Jazz and | | | | older child in piano lessons some room to grow by |
| Modern Music. | | | | getting out of the way. |
| Each different style of music gives students an | | | | If your're the parent of a young piano student, |
| opportunity to stretch and grow in different musical | | | | however, they will need your involvement in their early |
| ways. There is so much music out there to enjoy! | | | | lessons to get the basics down. Just like helping your |
| Personally, I would find it rather boring to limit my | | | | young child learn to read, parents can teach their |
| playing to, only gospel, or only classics, or only rock | | | | children the foundational "music Language" skills for |
| music, or only country music. Why would I want to do | | | | learning to play the piano or keyboard. But remember, |
| that? Why would parents expect their children to do | | | | even young children need a little space to learn and |
| that? | | | | grow as individuals. So do your part when their young, |
| Let your child and their piano teacher decide what | | | | and then let go! |
| repertoire to learn. The parent's job is to make sure | | | | |