I posted this article about why students should continue playing piano over the summer last year I am reposting it with a few changes. Feel free to share it with your student’s parents or send them over to pianoparents.net where I have a similar post about playing piano over the summer.
I had a conversation with a guitar teacher friend the other day and the subject of summer vacation came up. I asked him how his summer teaching usually goes. He admitted that summers are usually very slow and that he wasn’t looking forward to summer vacation at all. I would have to say that most studio teachers (myself included) share that experience. This leads me to the question, should students take the entire summer off of music lessons?
My answer would be a resounding no! Here’s why;
1. Summertime is a time when students can really focus on practice without the pressures of school.
2. Piano practice is a better pastime, than television and video games.
3. Children actually have the time to practice more and add new music to the repertoire list, learn new skills, or try a new piano method.
4. Taking summer off not only results in students failing to move forward with their playing; they actually lose skills and forget pieces.
5. Most kids who take the summer off usually DO NOT practice on their own.
6. Eight to ten weeks of not practicing results in a loss of skills acquired during the school year.
7. Your teacher likely has more time to devote to your child during the summer.
8. Summer is a time when parents also have more time to be involved in their child’s piano education.
9. This is your teacher’s job He/She probably wants to work during the summer.
10. Most accomplished pianists always took lessons over the summer. I’ll bet your teacher did.
If you are going to be away all summer arrange for your child to take lessons anyway.
Bring a weighted keyboard with you to your summer home. Arrange Skype lessons with your teacher or find a local piano teacher to work with your child.
If your teacher will be out for the summer, ask for a referral. We all know other teachers. I would be thrilled to have my students continue over the summer with a colleague. This is a well-accepted practice in the piano teaching business. My friends refer summer students to me and I always send them back to their teacher when summer is over.
If your teacher gives summer intensive classes or summer camps why not take advantage? These summer programs will boost your child’s playing to the next level.
Summer is a tough one for piano teachers and students. We all need a break! especially parents! Take a vacation enjoy the beach and the park, but try to continue playing piano over the summer. You won’t regret it!
Yes, Students should continue playing piano over the summer!
Parents, Teachers
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