Sanette Brems is the mom of six daughters, five of whom I get to work with every week. The Brems family realized the importance of piano study as a basic, foundation instrument. Kids need a hobby, something to do that gets them excited, and piano is something they could do year-round. They invested in a quality piano their girls could practice on rather than trying to arrange practice at a friend’s house.
How do you schedule practice for five piano players?!?
Practice as soon as you get home from school
Practice before electronics or playing with friends
Youngest tend to go first
The older girls can stay up later to practice after the younger girls are done
Mom must be a factor in reminding about practice.
How to overcome struggles
If a new piece is too hard, go back to something else you are familiar with – you are still practicing piano
Is it not uncommon for students to avoid practice if they don’t remember what to do or if they don’t feel confident
Keep working at it
Ask for help
Try to end the practice session on a happy note (pun intended)
A word of advice for new piano parents:
Be patient
It won’t happen all at once
Practicing is as much your duty as it is your child’s
Find something specific to compliment your child on when they are finished practicing
Make the compliment genuine
Resources mentioned in this episode:
10,000 Hours as mentioned in Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers: The Story of Success
Tran-Siberian Orchestra on YouTube
Trans-Siberian Orchestra – The Christmas Attic CD Includes 3 Extra Songs
Here is the sheet music to the piece Caitlyn played in her YouTue video: Dream Echoes: Sheet
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