Klarinet Archive - Posting 000081.txt from 2006/11

From: "thomaswinds" <thomaswinds@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Re: Disgusted, Need to Vent
Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2006 12:30:33 -0500

>>With teenagers, I have to choose my battles. Music is supposed to be a
source of life enrichment. When it stops becoming that and instead
turns into yet another source of stress and conflict, then it stops
being desirable, and you bet I'm going to cancel the lessons.<<

Sounds like you are describing "8th grade-itis".... At a certain level of
playing, music itself becomes more interesting - and we have to make sure
that we keep them going until they get to that point. Getting them through
the tough years (13-15) is what we, as drill sargeants (parents), have to
do.

In protecting our investment, there are ways that we, as parents, can make
sure kids are self-inspired to practice. And I as a parent have the
responsibility to teach my son how to be responsible, and follow things
through.

My son is 14. It must be a real beiotch having *3* parents who are
musicians, ha! Nonetheless, he can come up with all kinds of ways not to
practice, lol.

Having mom or dad standing over your shoulder for 45 minutes or so is not
pleasant (especially when none of the parents play trumpet). We also tell
him that if he goes to his lesson unprepared, he will pay for the next one.
My son has no desire to shell out $50 of his hard-earned money for a trumpet
lesson.

BTW - That's great about the singing! How many guys really stick with that
seriously after quitting an instrument?

Lynn