I'll let you in on a secret: I was absolutely one of these kids. Each week, my mom would drag me to my piano lesson, where my teacher would glare at me in disappointment because, again, I didn't practice. Maybe one song really spoke to me, and I got good at that one. But the scales, technique exercises, and that really challenging one? Often, no. 

I understand her approach; she had a disciplined method that worked for many of her students and she stuck by it. Unfortunately, I was just one of those kids with which it didn't really work. I needed a more emotional and creative approach;  I needed to first love the music I was playing.  I was not really a "10 minutes a day, every day" kind of kid; I did better with less structure. I would go days without practicing (worrying my mother endlessly), but then spend an hour listening, singing, and playing dress-up to all kinds of music in our CD collection. As much as it probably drove my parents crazy, I'm grateful they let me find my own way in piano through various creative expressions. It was through these processes I found the spark to love some of my songs in piano and want to play them. 

As you can guess, finding that spark in students can be a real challenge sometimes. My work in private teaching has shown me that the best way to help kids develop a healthy practice habit is to first identify what motivates them naturally.  This is where parents' input is invaluable to me. Does your student really enjoy movement? Singing? Patterns? Problem solving? Poetry? Composing? Something else? Let's find a way to build on those natural motivators in their music learning! Below are some ideas. 

Find your student's motivators! 

• Are they wiggly? Try playing the music in the recordings (download the "PA Player App" for Piano Adventures series books) and have them move, clap, or make up a dance routine to the song. 
• Do they enjoy math and/or patterns? Have them identify patterns on the piano and/or in the music (1. "Are there measures that repeat throughout the piece?" 2. "Where are all the "C's, or "A's in the song?")  
• Are they visual? Have them draw a picture of the music they are learning. Flip to a new song and ask them to identify 5 things they notice about the piece without even having played it before. Or, try these cool flashcards and add a few every day to your pile. Makes for a fun pre-dinner activity! 
• Do they love competition? Have them play their song with either a metronome or the PA Player App and increase the tempo each time to see if they can keep up!  
• Do they really like words? Have them listen to the recording and memorize the lyrics. See if they can learn to play and sing along together. Bonus points if they write their own lyrics!
• Do they noodle around on the piano a lot? Ask them to compose a song for you, or another family member. Grandparents especially love to get new compositions :) 
• Do they like to sing? In addition to learning the words to their piano song, encourage them to sing another song they enjoy. If there's one they can't get out of their head from the radio or a movie, let me know! I can look for a score online. 
• Do they love to perform? Consider having a weekly or monthly home "concert series" where they prepare a song or two from their lessons to share with you all. Dimming the house lights, printing small programs, or hanging a small curtain for a "stage" are totally encouraged! 

All of these motivators can help tap into your student's natural love for learning, which can translate into good piano practice habits. Knowing what makes your student 'tick' is a great first step. ​

Jessica is a voice and piano instructor for Note-worthy Experiences. To learn more about Jess, please visit her Teacher Page. 

Note-worthy has hosted an annual winter recital for the past eleven years, since the studio began in 2007. The first recital was a small affair in a local church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Eight students performed. Last year, the studio hosted four recitals in one day to accommodate the over 150 students that performed. The Winter recital is the climax of the studio's year, not only because it showcases the skills and hard work of the students, but because it brings the studio together. Students meet other students of their teachers. Teachers meet and network with other teachers. Parents meet other studio parents and see their students perform. They are all brought together to celebrate the musical achievement of their students and children.

It’s 8:30 AM on the morning of the recitals and the venue is already buzzing with activity. Teachers have arrived to help set up for a day filled with musical performances from instruments from piano to voice to electric guitar. Students begin to trickle in. A family carries in an entire drum set. A teacher is testing an amp. The nervous energy is tangible as the student performers take their places. The teachers, and guests settle in to enjoy the performances. The final performer takes their bow, and Renee hands out trophies and medals to the students, giddy with excitement and adrenaline. A relieved an excited aura replaces the nervous energy. The venue begins to clear only as the performers for the next recital arrive, and the cycle repeats three more times before all 150 students have performed, culminating months of practice and preparation.

A six-year old approaches the piano, apprehensive, wary of the unfamiliar keys of a new instrument. His teacher rises to help him but he has already begun his performance of Frosty the Snowman. Finishing, he jumps from his seat and runs forward to hug his family. Little does he realize that his first ever performance has been a success. The recital photographer captures the moment before the child runs back to his seat.

The audience sits in quiet as the drum set is erected. Murmurs float through the crowd; no one knows whether or not they are allowed to talk. They jump in unison as Imagine Dragons “Believe” blares from the speaker, a stark contrast to the amiable piano piece of the previous performance. Heads start to bob as the piece continues. Cheers ring through the clapping on completion. “That was awesome,” whispers a guest. “I was expecting to be bored, but this is great.”

Note-worthy’s Winter Recital is gives students the chance to showcase their hard work and vast variety of skills. It gives them the chance to create memories of success and the motivation to continue their hard work. But most importantly, it brings together a community of young musicians to share their love of music.

Our 2018 Winter Holiday Recitals will be held at St. Anne in the Fields, Lincoln on Friday, December 7, and Saturday, December 8, 2018. The registration fee is $40. We do not charge guests for tickets, and students may invite an unlimited number of guests.

Registration will close after November 5th. Students will be assigned to specific recital times.  The Friday evening recital will be reserved for our older and more advanced students if they choose to participate in that recital.

To register, please contact Renee at rbordner@note-worthyexperiences.com, or speak with your instructor. 

Rachel Stroia is the Office Manager at Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio. In addition to working at Note-worthy, she is a student at Suffolk University and enjoys reading, baking, and hiking.

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Have you ever wondered why your instructor was first interested in music? How their musical voyage began? ? What kind of music they listen to on their spare time? 

You can now learn all about the Note-worthy instructors in the Teacher Feature section of our website! Every month, we feature a different teacher and learn all about their individual musical journey. Discover the unique styles and stories of the diverse Note-worthy team.