Accent’s “New Band Parent” Guide

“Can I be in Band?” You may have heard that phrase from your child lately! Your student may have already previewed instruments, or you’ve been to band presentation night at the school, and now you’ve either rented or purchased an instrument and formally enrolled in the band program! Still, you may be asking yourself, “What else can I do to support my child’s interest in music?”

It’s an exciting moment, but it can also be intimidating both for you and your child to learn something new and different. The good news is, plenty of folks have walked this path before and learned the hard lessons so you don’t have to. Whether this is your first foray into a youth music program, or you’re a former band kid excited to watch your own child make this journey, here are some basic guideposts to help foster success and enjoyment in your child’s musical journey.

Practice makes perfect

There’s an old joke about a lost tourist in New York City who, seeking directions, asks one of the locals, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” The New Yorker, rather than explaining the route to the famous stage in Manhattan, instead replies, “Practice, practice, practice.” And when it comes to learning to play an instrument, nothing has ever been more true.

Setting up a dedicated practice time and/or space is essential to your child’s musical growth. While lesson time at school or in a private musical program is important, practicing at home, away from the distractions of the school environment, is one of the best ways to keep your young musician engaged and learning on a daily basis.

Experts recommend young music students practice about three hours per week at home. That might sound like a lot, but it averages to just 25-30 minutes per day – easy enough for any family to fit into the daily routine. For very new beginners, try setting a goal of 20 minutes, 3 times per week to start. This kind of regular practice is essential to improving your child’s comfort level with their instrument and building the muscle memory that will lead to continued musical growth. And more than that, establishing a regular practice schedule will help ingrain good practice habits early on and build a foundation for lifelong enjoyment of music.

Like many things with children, psychology can be your friend. You may consider referring to your child’s regular practice as “playing time” instead of “practice time.” As the early excitement of learning an instrument fades and it becomes part of a child’s routine, “practice” can start to feel like a chore. But “playing time” reminds the young student musician that time making music with their instrument is meant to be fun as well as educational. Consider creating a weekly school and activity calendar with your child that includes regularly scheduled playing time as a break from other homework or chores.

Encourage and supervise

Don’t hesitate to get involved in your child’s at-home playing time. Show interest and ask them to play for you! Your attention will help your child stay focused, reinforce the importance of regular practice and give them the reward of positive attention that will develop good associations with their musical journey.

Help your child constructively move past their mistakes. No one’s perfect (!) and learning a new skill always comes with new challenges. Chances are, they know already where they need improvement. Help them isolate trouble spots and go over them together. Naming notes, counting the rhythm out loud and using a metronome are simple techniques that can help them conquer areas of difficulty.

Above all, remember that you are a combination of both cheerleader and coach, encouraging their strengths while helping them through their challenges. Stay in touch with your child’s band director. They’ll be able to give you the best insight into your child’s progress, their strengths and weaknesses and what they should be focusing on in their at-home sessions to get the most out of their instrument.

Keep it fun!

Learning an instrument has tremendous benefits, from improving self-esteem and relieving stress to developing math skills and promoting creativity. On top of all these benefits, it’s also a tremendously fun activity and a great outlet for personal expression. Celebrating musical milestones, like learning a scale or completing a method book, is a great way to keep learning an instrument fun and engaging and encourage your child’s passion in music and performance. Holding “concerts” at home can be a fun family activity to support the young musician and recognize their hard work. Keep at it, and keep making Music!!

Further Reading:

Check out our Article, “7 Ways to Turn PRACTICE time into PLAY time!”