How to Get Your Child to Practice the Guitar

Did you buy a guitar for your child after listening to them beg for weeks and weeks? Did they promise that they'd practice every day without complaint if you'd just get them a guitar? Are you frustrated because the guitar they "had to have" is sitting in a closet, collecting dust? If so, you are probably wondering how in the world you can get your child to practice the guitar. There are ways to get your child to practice - without the arguments. Read on for some great tips on encouraging your child to practice - without tears and fights!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 
   Make Practice Times Short

   ~ Break Guitar Practice Times into 15 Minute Slots ~
   
   Kids don't have the longest attention spans in the world. Breaking a child's practice time into short, manageable time slots will allow them to retain more information without getting bored.

2. ~ Find an Instructor that Works Well with Kids ~
   
   The choice of an instructor is absolutely key in getting your child to effectively practice. If the instructor doesn't make it fun, your child will not want to practice. On the other hand, if they have an instructor that they look up to and like, they'll be more likely to enjoy practicing.

3. 
   Let Your Child Choose their Music

   ~ Allow Your Child Some Choice of the Type of Music They Play ~
   
   If you are really pushing your child to learn classical music and they love rock, they aren't going to want to practice very much. True, they've got to learn the basics before they can move on to choosing the music they like, but encourage them to practice and play the music that they enjoy instead of pushing your favorites on them.

4. 
   Make Practice Fun!

   ~ Make Practice Fun ~
   
   Instead of having your child go to their room to practice guitar, do things that make it fun for them. Have them perform for your family at dinner or play for you in the kitchen while you work. Kids love positive reinforcement, so they are more likely to practice if you want to listen to them.

5. ~ Allow Your Child a Day Off Every Once In Awhile ~
   
   Everyone needs a day off every once in awhile. If your child just isn't in the mood to play for a day or two, don't push it. They'll practice more and work harder if they are practicing because they want to.

6. ~ Change Practice Times to See When your Child is at their Best ~
   
   Everyone has times of the day when they are at their "best." Try to adjust the time of day that your child practices to find out when they seem to have the longest attention span. You may want your child to practice as soon as they get home from school, but they may need some time to just relax before they are ready to concentrate on practicing the guitar. Learning an instrument takes a lot of brain power and concentration, so it's important to have your child practice when they are in the mood to learn.

Tips & Warnings

• For more great practice tips and information on guitar playing for kids of all ages, visit Ultimate Guitar Online, located in the resource section below.

Resources

• Ultimate Guitar Online

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on 8/9/2009 I like your idea of letting your child have a choice in what type of music they play. That ought to help really get them involved more and more willing to practice.