Often after several months of lessons, a distressed parent will call
and say, "I think I'm going to have to take my child out of music
lessons. He (or she) seems to have lost interest."
Naturally, I sympathize with the parent's
concern. I understand the daily struggle of constantly reminding
an unmotivated child to practice. Also, from a financial point of
view, it doesn't seem wise to invest in education that is not
appreciated or put to good use.
Music education, however, like other academic
pursuits, is something a child will frequently not appreciate until
years later. I often ask parents, "Do you allow your child to
stop reading if he loses interest in books? Would you let your
child quit math if she won't learn her multiplication tables? If
your child doesn't want to run laps, should he or she be permitted to
cease athletic activities?"
Children should not be the masters of their own
destiny, parents should be. Most children left to their whims and
preferences would probably choose a diet of candy and soda pop, days of
amusement park rides, and evenings of television. Children
are simply not mature enough to know what activities are going to
enrich their lives. The most worth-while endeavors of life,
including playing a musical instrument, require hard work and
concentration. It's no wonder we have to instill discipline,
perseverance, and motivation to help our children become doctors,
lawyers, teachers, and musicians.
I often listen to evening radio broadcasts of
symphony orchestras from all over the word. Invariably before the
concert, the announcer will interview the featured soloist of the
evening. A common question is, "Did you enjoy practicing your
instrument as a child, or did your parents require you to take
lessons?" Whether the artist plays piano or trumpet, violin
or bassoon, a clear majority of these world-renowned musicians answer
that at first, they enjoyed the lessons, but soon lost interest.
However, their parents insisted that they take lessons and practice
daily. Often they were not inspired to make music their career
until several years had passed. Now these artists are eternally
grateful to their parents for influencing their lives.
I have to admit that I was uninterested in music
lessons as a child and often wanted to quit. Thank goodness my
parents encouraged me to continue for six years of lessons.
Little did I know as an eight year old that, by age fifteen, I would
begin composing my own music, that I would play professionally at age
twenty-one, and direct a choir by age twenty-nine. I had no idea
that what started out as a chore would become my hobby, and later, my
livelihood.
Parents, I wish you the best as you face the
challenge of shaping and molding your child into one of the leaders of
tomorrow. Your child may never make it to Carnegie Hall, but I
guarantee that he or she will thank you for giving the gift of music,
the gift that lasts a lifetime.
Sincerely,
Richard Kubow
(Richard Kubow is a musician, teacher, and owner of Richard's Music in
Jackson, MS. Used with permission of the author.)