Has your teen suddenly lost their motivation to continue playing their instrument? If so, you’re not alone. Teenage years are when many discover their passions and go through the motions of the ups and downs of life. It’s a time where music will be their passion for one second and then it’s cars, fashion, sports, and other momentary things. However, if your child has shown a deep interest in music and is simply unmotivated, then maybe they just need a little push to get their spirits up again.
Here are several ways in which you can help motivate your teen to practice playing their musical instrument.
Take them to a music store.
Your child may want novelty in their lives. They may need to see that there are newer instruments they can choose from. Music stores are filled with new, shiny, and expensive instruments that can make anyone’s music interest flare up. Taking your teen to a music store will help them see that there are better instruments they can work for if they continue practicing. So, the next time you have a chance, take them to your local music shop to give them something to look forward to.
Sign them up for a music class.
Another thing you can do is sign your kid up for a music class. There, they will learn about the best musical practices, how to read music, music ethics, history, and many other things. If they join a band in their music course, they can develop teamwork skills and responsibility techniques that can help them through life. It has become even simpler today with the availabiity of percussion lessons online. A music class can even prepare them for their professional lives and even more if they plan to pursue a career in music. They can sign up for a national honor scholarship society to seek opportunities in the music industry and enter the college of their interest with financial aid.
Set up a music room in your home.
Moreover, you can create a music room for them to practice in the comfort of your home. For this, you’ll need a spare room (or a portion of a room), soundproofing, shelving, lighting, and other things that can complement your music room. For soundproofing, you can opt for sound dampening tiles from Felt Right. They offer durable felt with wool-like appearance that can be easily pinned to walls. These felt tiles can be used as decoration or to help dampen sound with a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) rating of 0.35. This means that the tiles absorb 35 percent of the sound waves in the room and reflect the rest.
Create prizes for their musical milestones.
You can also help your teen find their motivation again by creating prizes for their musical milestones. For example, if they learn to play a new and complex note, or if they finished composing a part of a song they’ve been working on, celebrate it. Celebrating their achievements will let them know their work matters and that they have other prizes to look out for if they continue to practice. Some kids are moved by being rewarded with trophies or other types of prizes, and that’s ok. Simply find the prizes your child is the happiest with and go for it.
Present them with music they already enjoy.
Lastly, you don’t want to be a burden on your child, and music is meant to be enjoyed. If your child enjoys a specific type of genre, try looking for musical opportunities for them to practice it with their instrument. If they prefer classic over modern, let them enjoy that. This is their hobby or future career, and you shouldn’t be the one to interfere with that.
These tips will ensure your child gains the motivation they need to play an instrument.