Band Parenting 101

It is a common misconception that non-musical parents are helpless when it comes to supporting a young musician at home. Home practice is ESSENTIAL to success in the band room and students who do not establish good practice habits at home will quickly fall behind in class. Please read the tips below to learn more about how you can help your child develop healthy and productive practice habits at home.


THE IMPORTANCE OF PRACTICING
Music achievement requires effort over a period of time. Rehearsal time in band class is limited, therefore new concepts learned at school can only be developed through personal practice time at home. You can help your child have successful practice sessions by:
  • Providing a quiet place in which your child can practice
  • Remaining nearby during practice times as often as possible
  • Scheduling a consistent daily time for practice (egg timers help monitor practice time)
  • Recording daily practice on the child’s practice journal
  • Praising your child’s efforts and achievements


THE ROLE OF THE PARENT
To give your child the best possible support, you should:
  • Remind your child to bring his or her instrument and music to band class
  • Encourage your child to play for family and friends
  • Offer compliments and encouragement regularly
  • Expose your child to a wide variety of music, including concerts and recitals
  • Encourage your child to talk with you about band class
  • Make sure your child’s instrument is always well maintained
  • Help your child build a personal music library of sheet music and recorded music
  • Get to know your child’s teacher
  • Attend all performances


THINGS TO AVOID
Many band parents fall into bad traps while meaning to do well. Be careful and avoid the following:

  • Using practice as a punishment
  • Insisting that your child play for others when he or she does not want to
  • Ridiculing or making fun of mistakes or less-than-perfect playing
  • Apologizing to others for your child’s weak performances


Children lose interest in things on a regular basis, sometimes as quickly as they became interested in the first place. Gratification is not always instant with instrumental music, therefore parents will need to encourage and enforce practice through good times and bad. Your role as a parent is to remain ACTIVELY involved in your child’s music study. Success for band students depends on dedication. Please encourage your child in every way possible.