Why Teaching "Practice" is an "Opportunity" for the Students

Every teacher out there is working hard to get their students to develop practicing skills, yet I'll be honest I've been in the "battle" of getting two of my students to work on any piano music. One student is "fighting" me every week, even though the parents are making the student take lessons. It's a literal "battle" to find piano music that they want to play or not get an attitude, no matter how kind or stern I will be. However, the student and I keep showing up.

What I've always done in over 14 years of teaching private lessons is show them music that is a bit above their level, and they "accept the opportunity." My students don't want "baby music", they desire more, deeper piano music that they can absorb, consume, that has lasting meaning. I try as my schedule allows for Master Classes, Group Classes, working with other students on duets, trios, quartets and more. They want to interact with other students. My students have played piano music at their school that they are working on. Maybe they don't know it, yet the students are practicing when they share their piano music in their music class at school.

So, I'm doing all the things and still at times feel likes it's an uphill battle. Yet in reality I've done this long enough that I'm not giving up on the students. We just have to work the "battle" out together. They will say it's "hard, difficult, challenging", yet if we make it fun so they will see the progress they are making. Playing games really reinforces what the student needs.

Once we realize we're not "fighting a student", the battle shifts. The ego trip leaves and

I realize that the student has been at school, work, dealing with life all day and they are just as exhausted as I am. They are looking for something fun, engaging, creative for their entire self to get their mind off the day.

So keep:

doing Group Classes.

Master Classes.

playing new, fun games to make them successful.

getting them to compose.

listening to music during the lesson.

getting all of your online students to do something bigger than themselves.

Yet ultimately be you. Don't be anyone else.

How do you deal with the "battles" of trying to get them to play piano? I would love to know. Thanks for your time and support. Blessings.