When Lexington area families want to give their children the gift of music, they turn to the experts at Hurst Music. This one-stop shop offers wind, string, and percussion instrument rentals as well as repair services and music lessons. The shop’s new and used instruments include quality brands such as Yamaha, Eastman, Ludwig and more. Hurst Music has been supporting local schools for over 50 years, making the world of music affordable and accessible for all students.

Picking up a new instrument and beginning music lessons are exciting experiences for kids of all ages—but what do you do when your child complains that practicing feels like just another chore? The following tips can help make future practice sessions more enjoyable for both you and your child.

3 Tips To Help Motivate Your Child To Practice Their Music Lessons

Make it Manageable

Spending over 30 minutes on a single task can be daunting for young children and feel boring for older ones. Try dividing your child’s practice session into shorter segments that focus on one skill. For example, spend 10 minutes warming up with practice scales, another 10 minutes working on difficult passages in the piece assigned during the previous music lesson, and the final 10 minutes rehearsing the piece all the way through. Alternately, your child may prefer breaking a new piece into manageable segments, concentrating on a short passage each day with the goal of mastering the piece in time for the next music lesson.

Offer Encouragement

New skills and difficult passages can be frustrating for even the most experienced musician. Remind your child that these setbacks are only temporary, and are an important part of the learning process. If your child gets so frustrated that they feel the need to walk away for a few minutes, let them calm down before resuming the practice session. Compliment them on their hard work and determination, and be sure to show genuine enthusiasm over their progress.

Provide an Audience

Turning a practice session into an impromptu concert can make the work feel more fun. Set up an audience of favorite toys, gather your family, or call a faraway relative to listen to the practice session. Not only will your child spend time working on their assignment, they’ll begin building the confidence they’ll need for future performances.

If your child has been asking to begin music lessons, the staff at Hurst Music can help them choose the right instrument and teacher. Visit their website or call (859) 335-0500 to learn more about their current selection of high-quality instruments and services.