Does your child take piano lessons through the summer?

[3prettyprincesses]

My DD's are taking piano lessons and the teacher said that normally students take lessons through the summer as well. Basically it's like holding your spot for the fall too. Is that strange? I thought they'd take the summer off? Anyone else have children taking lessons through the summer as well? Thanks!

 

[iwrbnd]

No, their instructor takes a break in the summer. Works for us since we don't keep much of a routine and I would forget!

 

[CoP Luv]

When I was a kid, I took lessons every summer for about 8-9 years.

 

[Jennasis]

I think most of the kids I know go straight through the summer.

 

[TN Hockey Mom]

My DS9 plays piano and my DS11 plays guitar. The same guy teaches both of them. They both take lessons year round.

 

[Sparx]

I'm not a musician, but it does seem like they would want to continue the practice, or they'll be rusty after a few months of no piano.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

DD began taking lessons a year ago. She started in May -- not the best time of year for us. We were here and there throughout the summer and she really didn't get a good start until the end of August when school began. We're going to try plowing through the summer again this year and see how it works. I know DD will miss a few lessons, but I don't want her to have to "start all over again" after missing three months of lessons.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My kids take guitar. Two summers ago, their first year, I noticed we were one of the few families that continued lessons during the summer. Scheduling became really difficult due to sports and vacations on both sides, etc. Last year we put them on hold for the summer - beginning up again wasn't an issue as far as the instructor having room for them. They got a bit rusty, but not bad. They continued to play on their own over the summer and picked up where they left off in the fall. I'm now in a quandry about what to do this summer. I'd like them to continue since they've made so much progress, but otoh, the headaches that come along with scheduling add an element of stress to our lives that I don't want over the summer.

the teacher said that normally students take lessons through the summer as well

One of the things that drives statements like this is that they depend on the income. (IME)

 

[cats mom]

I did both as a kid. It pretty much depended on what the instructor preferred. Sounds to me like the instructor you have wants to keep a steady income stream.

If your kids are really serious about music, looking at competing for scholarships etc. down the road, you'll want them to continue over the summer.
If they're learning to play on a more casual level, I don't think it matters much.
Obviously they'll want to continue to practice/play over the summer, but not having lessons shouldn't be a big deal.

In fact I had a musical break through of sorts during/after one summer vacation. I really needed the time away from the structure of lessons to reconnect with the love of the music.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

If your kids are really serious about music, looking at competing for scholarships etc. down the road, you'll want them to continue over the summer.
If they're learning to play on a more casual level, I don't think it matters much.

Good point.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Thanks everyone. Seems like it's pretty much split over whether or not kids take piano through the summer. I understand my DD's teacher probably wants the $ but I'm kind of looking forward to a break, does that make me a bad mom? I assumed that she'd want the break too since she has a huge amount of students, lol! With families traveling and taking vacations, it didn't cross my mind that piano would continue until September. My girls are still young and aren't terribly serious about piano yet. They enjoy it and the teacher is so sweet and patient but I don't know that they'll turn into concert pianists! She has a policy where you're allowed to miss up to 4 classes a year for free and then you pay whether you show up or not. So if we're traveling this summer to see family, etc. they'll be missing lessons.

 

[Christine]

My son's piano teacher does it both ways.


She holds lessons through the summer and is much more flexible about skipping lessons.

She will let you opt out for the summer and get your time slot back in the fall if you want.

 

[swanmom]

We go to every other week during the summer. The teacher likes this arrangement.

 

[Golf4food]

If you are truly attempting to learn any instrument then daily practice is essential and taking three months off from lessons while learning would be terribly detrimental to long term development.

 

[Tinkermommy]

My DD keeps up her lessons in the summer. I don't think it would be productive missing 3 months.

I also have her read and do math everyday (just a half hour total) for the same reason.

 

[freckles and boo]

Yes, they continue through the summer. Our studio had policies about this, but since the studio has closed and their teacher is now coming to our home we have much more flexibility with lesson time.

 

[littleteapot]

Yes, my children always do music throught the summer. Our music teachers (guitar and piano) rely on the income. I don't think it would be fair to take one of their spots and then drop out in the summer.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

We've always taken the summer off, but my piano teacher does too. Teaching piano is her retirement job, do I don't think she needs the money.

I don't think you are a bad mom for wanting a break! I can't wait for it! We take piano to learn an instrument and be well rounded. I don't expect any of my kids will be pianists!

 

[minkydog]

My DD's are taking piano lessons and the teacher said that normally students take lessons through the summer as well. Basically it's like holding your spot for the fall too. Is that strange? I thought they'd take the summer off? Anyone else have children taking lessons through the summer as well? Thanks!

Both of mine did. It was no burden at all. They loved to play and actually got mopey if they couldn't play the piano. It was a great discipline tool for a few years--"Can't play piano until you clean your room" "Get up for school on time and with a good attitude and you can have 45min extra piano time." My kids are just weird.

 

[quasar4legs]

My son took trumpet, trombone, french and latin lessons across the summer. He really liked the lessons and all the tutors seemed happy to work across the whole year.
We really only took breaks if either the tutor or we were on vacation.

Cheers