Parents ask this question more often than you might think. It can be very common for a parent with no formal musical training to bring their child for lessons Guitar Lessons. Often teachers suggest that the parent take lessons too. But there is another way to help your child that works even better. Here is what you really need to know.
When a child begins lessons, the lessons may be a very special thing. The child can develop a positive sense of pride in accomplishment. And, it is also very common for the child to feel that this special activity defines his or her position in the family. This is particularly true when everyone has a special talent or skill. So, one way of looking at this is that you really don’t want to do anything to discourage this sense of identity.
One thing I find is that my students often actually enjoy teaching their parents about music. It is scholarly wisdom to know that you learn better when you teach what you know. So, following that train of thought, you can encourage your child’s music learning by simply allowing him to teach you. Whatever is learned during the formal lesson is then passed on to the parents via the child. This accomplishes two things: your child will practice what is learned at the lessons, and you will learn it too. In this way, parents who know nothing about the musical language will learn it, and be able to help their child improve and succeed with music as well.
If you worry about getting wrong information, you can always attend your child’s music lesson, and recite what you have learned, or even better, have your child explain to the teacher what your child has taught you. This is repetition and review at its finest. The entire process builds close family bonds in quite a different way than if you all had been taking lessons. You will not be music lesson competitors this way. You will have some role reversal time that actually leads to building your child’s capability to lead and earn self-esteem.
Of course, this takes time. But, you are investing in your child, and this kind of spent time is the best investment possible. You are also investing in your relationship with your child, which will hold you both in good stead throughout the years.