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Why I Discourage Taking the Summer Off from Lessons (or Missing Lessons during the school year)




 First off, we get it.  School is out.....vacations are planned.  Camps make them tired.  They need down time.  WE UNDERSTAND ALL OF THAT.........but here is why it's not a great idea. 

When children ignore their studies in any subject........it takes several days to several weeks to get back into the groove.  They may need a tutor, or extra help after school and at home.  

Music is different.  It's just not focus.  It's losing comprehension of the music.  It's losing the fine motor skills that it takes to play  their chosen instrument.  Stamina.  It's almost like starting over.  Which can be frustrating for all involved.  

I have seen many different scenarios.   Practice continued, but it was sporadic and rushed.  No lessons with their teacher.   Bad habits were created.  Songs learned incorrectly.  It can take weeks to unlearn and relearn bad habits. 

On the other end, no practice at all.  Instrument collected dust.  Returned to lessons, but lost most of their skills.  Parents remember what they did sound like, so does student.  No matter how much I reassure both it will return, the towel is thrown in and they quit.  

It's a matter of importance to me.  It's not just about income.  Though our bills don't stop during the summer if our income does.   I teach because I want to.  I enjoy bringing the gift of music to young and young at heart musicians.  I do not like to miss scheduled lessons.  It's why we have subs, to not inconvenience our musicians.  We give our students our year round calendar every August, so hopefully we can coordinate lessons off during our breaks. 

So, how can we avoid these situations?   Don't stop lessons!    Work with your educator or Studio, usually schedules are a bit more flexible.  Double up on lessons the weeks you are around.  Please don't lose the skills you already worked hard to learn.  

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