To continue with anything worthwhile, we need to feel progress. Or, we need to see that our kids are progressing. Otherwise, we start to question the whole endeavor.
But, there's a catch. And it's an easy one to miss.
It's that there are different forms of progress. One isn't better than another. But, when we expect progress to take only one form, that's when we quit too early.
A common reason parents end lessons is they feel their kids aren't progressing. Thing is, their one definition of progress is that their kids should be playing harder, longer pieces.
But progress can also mean:
- they're enjoying practicing more.
- they are exploring their own music making.
- their music literacy and understanding are improving, even if the music isn't technically "harder."
- they're learning new pieces faster.
- they are excited to talk about music.
And there are many more versions of progress you can come up with.
So next time you're questioning whether you're progressing, or the kids are progressing, try this.
Stretch your imagination and find a way you are progressing. And if you can't come up with a single one, that's a good time to talk with a teacher or mentor to get some feedback.
And then that, in itself, will be a step towards progress.