Which is more interesting to a child? DS or piano?
I teach my children but they seem to run to their DS instead of the piano.
I’ve tried the reward system (candy etc.)
nothing seems to work.
I’ve even tried to give them equal DS time to their practice time.
That seemed to work for a while.
Any suggestions out there?
keep in mind…i’m not forcing them…i’m trying to encourage or motivate.
let’s keep our verbs straight
Well, it really depends. I play Piano (I’m 13 years old). It’s only interesting to me when I get to play pieces that sound really cool and look complicated, so it makes me feel like I’ve accomplished more. If you just make kids do work and work and work for the piano, odds are they won’t like it. Also, have a piano that works. We had one that belonged to my great-grandma. Some of the important keys didn’t work, which was extremely frustrating and discouraging. When we finally got a better piano, I loved practicing because the songs actually sounded good! Although this might not be the case, it’s just a little note.
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you shouldn’t force piano on a child…
but personally i would tell them if they don’t practice then they won’t get to play the DS…
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Well, it really depends. I play Piano (I’m 13 years old). It’s only interesting to me when I get to play pieces that sound really cool and look complicated, so it makes me feel like I’ve accomplished more. If you just make kids do work and work and work for the piano, odds are they won’t like it. Also, have a piano that works. We had one that belonged to my great-grandma. Some of the important keys didn’t work, which was extremely frustrating and discouraging. When we finally got a better piano, I loved practicing because the songs actually sounded good! Although this might not be the case, it’s just a little note.
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The other respondents seem to know what a DS is, but I don’t.
Could you please enlighten me?
As I see it, the reason children don’t like to practice is because it’s not gregarious.
They like any other learning activity so long as it is gregarious–Scout meetings, athletic practice, field trips.
A good way to get them to practice is to make a gregarious activity out of it. Compose or improvise four-hand parts or additional instrumental parts. If there are lyrics in the book, sing the lyrics.
Make games out of the songs in the book. Play one measure and ask the child to point to the measure.
Run the child’s recital piece through the copy machine twice, cut out each measure in the copies, and make playing cards out of them. Then use the playing cards to play concentration, old maid, or go fish.
I read somewhere that very few children practice without being coaxed until they are 11 years old, and even then, only if you’re lucky. So you aren’t alone.
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you shouldn’t make a kid do something they dont like…..i can understand yo don’t want them on the ds all the time but find an instrument and/or a sport or some activity that they will like!
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When I was a wee one, the outdoors were more interesting than any toy, but I remember listening to Green Sleeves on this little electronic keyboard and ever since then I’ve always had a certain fascination for music and the piano.
I guess all you can really do is try to inspire them, show them that through effort they can achieve great things with their talents. Give them examples if you can.
If you can encourage the gifts they have, even though they may not end up to be great pianists (although they could!) you open up doors to them and allow more of their full potential to be fully realized. Let them be as creative with it as they want – maybe even ask them what they want to do on the piano or musically that day.
In the end kids will be kids though. Just make sure they practice and don’t take no for an answer
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Edit: Suh…don’t feel like memorizing the rest of your name XD: A DS is a handheld gaming system.
Have you tried playing them some piano first? Maybe just a recording of one of the most exciting pieces of all time? If not, it’s like you’re trying to teach them to cook without feeding them first XD Let them find some music they really like, and help them play it (you may have to simplify it, they sound pretty little)
If you play piano, play some horribly difficult piece for them. Often it’s a real motivator, it is for me anyway. To see how impressive they could sound one day if they kept practicing.
Don’t force minutes. Let them practice when they feel like it, and the amount of time they feel like it. Otherwise it feels like work. You want them to enjoy it, after all. Now, if this is going to result in them not practicing at all, maybe you could give a gentle structure, such as practicing after dinner. You could also help them and guide them in their practice.
EDIT: Just thought of something else…do you maybe think they just don’t like the piano specifically? Why not get them started on an instrument that intrigues them, such as piccolo or cello? Or something crazy and fun like a melodica? Or even just a harmonica. Something tells me your goal here is to show them the joy of music (hopefully that’s your goal, anyway). You have to be careful not to ruin it for them, or they’ll stay as far away as possible.
Though, I don’t know. I’m reminded of Beethoven. He was introduced to music through his alcoholic father teaching him piano. His father (and later on his father’s friend) were often drunk and beat him during lessons. But Beethoven loved the music, obviously…
I’m actually not sure what that has to do with anything, but I’ve always found it interesting.
)
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I’ve always found stories like these weird. XD When I was little, I really wanted piano lessons. My mom finally let me go when I learned to read (I was about five). But then again, at the time my older sister was taking lessons, and I wanted to do everything she did. (Ironically, my sister quit piano awhile later and moved onto singing, her true passion and talent. I’ve stuck with piano ever since, though
that crap rots out your brains, if they don’t have the option they won’t run to it
maybe have them learn some video game music
(that was motivated by another post, lol)
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I prefer to practice, but I do play the DS. That’s mostly at school: before, lunch, my free period (if I don’t have any homework).
How about equal time? How many hours of practice time, then DS.
But you can’t force a kid to play. If they prefer the DS, then that’s what they prefer. I like both, though. I’m a total video game nerd, trust me.
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Dal Segno (D.S.) or Da Capo (D.C.)
It’s in all the "Fine" music.
… "Play it, Sam. Play "’As Time Goes By.’" — Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund
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I think they have to get into liking it on their own.
how old are they?
I’m 14 and my life is Piano and Classical music, I can’t stand video games..heh.
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Hell… I’m 21 and I find playing my ds entertaining lol. But then again I love piano, so I know how to find time for both xP.
Obviously a video game is going to be more appealing to your child. Just hide the recharging adaptor… that will keep them from playing lmao.
Tell them for the amount of time they play piano that = the amount of time they get to play their ds.
More practice = more play… no practice = dead ds.
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To whoever asked what a DS is: It is a portable gaming console (like a gameboy)
I would have thought that a piano would be more interesting to a child as it is more creative, but evidently I am wrong. Maybe it is because a piano has only one purpose, making music, that they become bored of it quickly. (Particularly as they are not at a level where they can use the piano as a tool to create their own music.)
My suggestion would be: (Tell them)
If you practice for 10 minutes you can use your DS for 20.
Depending on how old they are this should work. (It is particularly effective is you have possesion of the DS, so you can monitor how long they have it, and they can only get it from you.)
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Does your children’s school have a band or something?
Putting them in an environment like that where they can see other kids playing the piano may get them more excited about it or encourage them to better themselves and keep up with the others.
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If they are not interested in piano, you should try other instruments. While they may enjoy DS more now, music will become important to them in high school if they are half-way dedicated
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I’m with "suhwaha-": I do wish users would not assume because they’re familiar with an abbreviated term, that all of the prospective viewers of their question will be: thanks to the responder who defined it.
My opinion is that all "DS" are the curse, scourge of our modern age: when they’re old enough, a computer to learn this most necessary of all tools nowadays, would be appropriate: all the other "electronic" children’s marvels best be taken to Goodwill or dumped in the trash can.
You’re much too indulgent in my view; employ some "tough love": they and you will be grateful later in life that you did. Children whose parents attempt to "motivate" them as you refer to it, often regretfuly learn too late that their off-spring have fallen prey to illicit drugs(what a nightmare). I’m an ole "stick in the mud" you say? Maybe so; if so, I’m d*mm proud of it.
Suggestion: take away ALL their "toys", and put them in their play room with three/four different colored children’s pianos for say an hour everyday.
And let them watch maybe an hour or so of "Seseme Street": the rest of the time, sit down with them and read children’s stories/and or color with them in coloring books, etc.
Do things creative: your attention and sharing is the most important gift you can bestow upon on them.
Good luck,
Alberich
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