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Success is the biggest motivator for young piano students. And the post- performance or post-piano-examination high can keep them at the piano daily for weeks after.
And yet, this doesn’t often happen. Because there are a couple of things many parents don’t understand about piano lessons and student motivation.
The Post-Piano-Examination Euphoria
It’s the first piano lesson after the examination. The young piano student has had a fair amount of time with extremely steady piano practise and can learn pieces at the examination level quite fast.
There’s excitement about music at this time. And a desire to learn pieces with different styles. Songs the student sings or classical favorites. Pieces that used to be beyond their reach and aren’t anymore.
This is the time children and teens throw themselves into learning with passion and will take on challenges. Or get a LOT of easy level sight-reading done.
Two Factors That Keep This Going
This is the time parents can ease up on practise support. All that is needed to keep the motivation going is the following:
- Repertoire Books.
- A Daily Schedule With Piano Time.
The Mistake Piano Parents Often Make
Piano parents will often plan holidays & trips immediately after the piano examination. Or take months to purchase books.
This creates a barrier and stops piano practise just at the time students experience intrinsic motivation. That is, the self-motivation that keeps them practising independently and doesn’t need much parent support.
Capitalizing on Post-Examination Euphoria
It’s actually quite easy for parents to help their children keep the excitement and piano practise high going at this time.
- Plan 3 Weeks Post-Examination Piano Time:
Realize how important this is. Talk to your piano teacher about it if you have questions on why. And then, it’s just a matter of making this a habit when you plan holiday breaks. - Purchase Repertoire Books Immediately:
Talk to your child and you’ll see the excitement to learn and what pieces they’re excited about. Your child’s teacher will do the same and will recommend books based on that. Purchase the books immediately, don’t wait.
If budgeting needs planning or if you aren’t able to visit the book shop & online delivery takes time, talk to your child’s piano teacher. I offer piano parents a book fee for this purpose.
Dear Piano Parent,
Piano Practise isn’t something one schedules because there’s a goal. Instead, it’s a long-term organization of one’s daily routine so that there’s piano time EVERY day. This time will expand before examinations and performances, or when students are excited about playing. And reduce at other times, still staying a part of the day.
Short holiday breaks away from the piano are excellent. These breaks actually boost learning IF they follow a period of intense and self-motivated daily piano practise.
To music in EVERY day.
Best wishes,
Anitaelise.
Other posts from The Piano Lesson Diaries here.
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