For many teenagers, it’s back to school, then back to music lessons. Although the rare student practises over the summer, some kids don’t touch their instruments after the last recital of the school year. And some of these hope to quit their music lessons come fall. But this is a decision they might regret someday, and not all should make it lightly. After all, haven’t we all heard someone say, “I wish I hadn’t quit my music lessons when I was a teen?”
At age seven, my daughter begged for violin lessons, preferably on a blue violin. Well, the violin was not blue, but she did get her lessons and she loved studying. For a while. Now that she’s in high school, her schoolwork and friendships come first, practising comes second. By the end of her Grade 10 year, I wondered how to motivate her.
I decided to seek advice from industry experts, some of whom recalled what kept them going as young music students.
Angela Cheng, one of Canada's best-known pianists, says she seriously considered studying science at university rather than music. Her piano teacher, Ernesto Lejano, persuaded her otherwise.
“He said, ‘You can put the study of science on hold, but not with piano.’ That seemed to make sense at the time, so I didn't become a pre-med major but a music major instead. And, of course, the more I study it, the more I realize that I can't live without it.”
Violinist Nancy Dahn, who teaches at Memorial University and plays in Duo Concertante, says students need a supportive environment.
“I think the main thing I would suggest to a talented student considering quitting is to give things a bit more time. Make a commitment to really go for it. Find out what you're really capable of. It’s important to help create the supportive environment of inspiring peers and mentors where this student would be able to come to the right decision. If that environment is not there, one doesn't have much of a chance.”
Sal Ferreras, a percussionist, music educator and producer, says exposure to live performances is key to motivating young students. Two events inspired him to keep going after he took up drums.
“The first was a symphony orchestra playing a Sunday matinee concert at a hotel lobby in San Juan, Puerto Rico. My parents were taking the family for an outing in the hotel district and we happened upon this concert. I watched the percussion section from behind their set-up – sort of like ringside seats. The second time was when I was watching Tito Puente play a live TV show in San Juan in 1965 or 1966. Captivated by the energy and passion of this riveting performer, I remember being very excited by what I saw and heard. So I stuck to it because it felt natural to me. I didn't have to work at it really, although I certainly had to practise. It made me feel good, confident, full of life.”
Winston Choi, laureate of the 2003 Honens International Piano Competition, teaches at the Music Conservatory, Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. He credits his first piano teacher's creative, playful approach with making his piano lessons more like play than hard work.
“When I first started piano lessons, I was lucky, because my first teacher spent more time encouraging me to improvise, compose, play musical games, basically to indulge in the creative aspect of music-making at an early age, before I had any concept of what music was to sound like. I remember spending many hours listening to recordings, at the age of seven or eight, and then badly imitating what I heard. Thus, spending time at the piano was tremendously entertaining. I was essentially trained to have a long attention span and to be able to enjoy creating my own little world at the piano. I will always be appreciative of my first piano teacher inspiring me and providing this spark.”
Listen to what that practising did for Choi:
What are your tips for teens who are thinking of quitting? Let us know in the comments below, or write to classical@cbc.ca.
Related links:
Why teens should have their music and sports lessons in the evening
How teens benefit from music education