Need advice on guitar lessons

[luvestodizz]

My 8yo DD has been taking guitar lessons for a year. In that time she can not play a song or part of a song. She practices once a week. I know that is not enough but it also tells me she is not serious. She loves to "play" her guitar to music on youtube and she will strum and make up simple songs. I think it is time to stop the lessons for a while. . I need advice because I feel guilty for wanting to stop but hate to waste money every month. Maybe she is too young still for guitar. Any advice??

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

No offense, but I would have stopped the lessons six months ago if my DD wasn't willing to practice daily! Probably NINE months ago. Your DD obviously isn't serious if she's not willing to practice. I took private lessons when I was in 4th grade, can't remember what age that is, but I practiced daily and could play a simple song in just a few weeks.

I'd wait until your DD is older and serious about playing guitar. For now, let her play along with YouTube and make up songs. And absolutely don't feel the least bit guilty for stopping her lessons!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If she can't play a simple song by now, it is time to quit.

Just tell her that you are quitting the lessons and when she feels she is serious about playing you will resume the lessons.

Tell her you have to see her practicing daily for an entire month or something like that.

 

[kacaju]

I would say it is time to quit. My dd10 (she will be 11 in Dec) got her guitar at age 8 and started lessons. She loved it and practiced all the time. Last year we bought her an electric guitar for her Birthday. She is still going strong and in fact we have just spoken to the band director at school and he is going to include her in 5th grade band with her guitar!!

 

[MushyMushy]

Yep, time to quit lessons. But I would still give her support and encouragement! PLENTY of people are self taught musicians and there are a ton of free lessons on Youtube and other areas.

I wouldn't make it a punishment or a bad thing -- just explain that right now it's a waste of money unless she practices every day, but you'd still love to hear her playing it when she wants.

 

[mjkacmom]

Quit. Dd14 was like that, and I was sick of paying $30 a week for a piano lesson, and not have her practice. Her "problem" is that she can play by ear VERY well (to the extent that she hasn't had a piano lesson since the age of 8, and has actually been paid to listen to music, and play it on her keyboard, with a computer program, that turns it into written music, for her voice coach, who needed to sing it at a wedding). My DH has the same ability, and didn't learn to read music until college, when he minored in the subject.

When dd did practice, she was totally faking reading the music. DH could catch her at it. He regrets not learning to read music early on, and I'm sure my dd will regret it as well. However, without daily practice (doing it right), there really isn't any point in lessons.

 

[kidzmom3]

I agree with more practice, at least 5 days a week. Also my DS had lessons once a week, once a month is too long to go in between. She could be picking up bad habits. My DS could play a simple song after 4 1 hr lessons. However, I do think he has natural talent because he has learned to play guitar, the bass, the piano, the drums and trumpet in 6 years. he began at 11 years old.

 

[powellrj]

If you can afford it and she enjoys it, I guess I don't see the problem. My DS took guitar for years and he never really practiced much and now that he is in college he plays all the time. Its a great hobby that he is able to pick-up when he wants to.

If you can't afford the lessons anymore I would give her the choice as to weather to continue or not. If she isn't going to practice than no more lessons.

 

[padams]

Your dd does not seem to have a very good instructor. After a year, even if she only practices once a week, she should be able to play a simple song. She might practice more if she had an instructor who motivated and taught her more.

I took guitar lessons at her age. My parents dropped me off at the closest music store in a strip mall to my house because it was convenient. The guitar teacher was only interested in teaching classical songs. I rarely practiced because I didn't like the music and he didn't seem to care whether I practiced or not. After all, he got paid every lesson.

I would ask if she wants to quit, if she says yes. It's over. If she says no, find a new instructor and tell her she must practice daily. If she doesn't practice with new instructor, after one month, I'd drop lessons.

 

[SpecialK]

She might just not be ready for formal lessons yet. Some kids aren't interested until they're older. I'd stop the lessons and see what happens.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Your dd does not seem to have a very good instructor. After a year, even if she only practices once a week, she should be able to play a simple song. She might practice more if she had an instructor who motivated and taught her more.

I took guitar lessons at her age. My parents dropped me off at the closest music store in a strip mall to my house because it was convenient. The guitar teacher was only interested in teaching classical songs. I rarely practiced because I didn't like the music and he didn't seem to care whether I practiced or not. After all, he got paid every lesson.

I would ask if she wants to quit, if she says yes. It's over. If she says no, find a new instructor and tell her she must practice daily. If she doesn't practice with new instructor, after one month, I'd drop lessons.

That is a good point and I have to say I agree with you. It certainly could be part of the problem.

My dd played alto sax and had several different instructors. Some were great and some indifferent.

I know that a piano teacher would not tolerate lack of progress. They would probably boot you.

 

[Magpie]

If she can't play a simple song by now, it is time to quit.

Just tell her that you are quitting the lessons and when she feels she is serious about playing you will resume the lessons.

Tell her you have to see her practicing daily for an entire month or something like that.

This!

My son is currently taking private lessons for both saxophone and violin. My daughter has taken vocal lessons in the past.

Our rule is that I will REMIND them to practice once a day, but I will not browbeat them. If they start dragging their heels, I'll drop the lessons at the next opportunity (depending how far ahead I've paid).

Because of this, my daughter has been in and out of vocal lessons for several years. Sometimes she gets the bug and will go for six months, or so. Then she'll get bored and drop it. I'm fine with that.

My son, on the other hand, actually seems to have some drive. He's been studying saxophone for over a year now and is in both the concert band and the jazz band at school. He actually doesn't practice at home any more because he's got either a band practice or a music lesson every day of the week. He's pretty good with that saxophone - I see him playing it through high school, if not beyond.

Violin is new. We'll see how he does.

I expect commitment and dedication from my kids, no matter what kind of lesson I'm paying for (sports, music, etc...). If I don't see it, I'm not going to pay. No stress, no blame, no hard feelings!