Cause ds1 didn't pick up violin once for 2 months and just fiddled on keyboard (composing rock songs )

And now he's starting lessons again next week. Wondering how rusty he's going to be.

God no, dd2 has not been near the piano at all. Mind you, I have to find her a new teacher. She's starting bassoon lessons at her new school - she's v excited. But by heck she will do proper practice .

He'll be rusty.

But h's probably learned loads composing rock songs. will stand him in good stead. Important to have a practical use to music, if you ask me.

dd hasn't either and she has competition in october !

well I'm glad he's not the only one then. I think I'll suggest he have an attempt at some stuff from his books before lessons this week.

DS2 practised his cello, and DS3 practised his sax almost daily for the first week or two...

Then it sort of slipped, and we've been away for the last two weeks.

dd practiced on the piano and the keyboard, but then she is obssessed. I mind you need a pair of earplugs.

Well, we've hardly been here this summer at all, so I guess he's got an excuse. But ds2 has not been near piano or guitar

ds1 has been made to practise the piano most days (apart from when we were away) but then he has an exam in November.

DD1 has done a bit of flute pratice - perhaps once a week.
DD2 hasn't looked at her own guitar - has spent her time picking out new ones she'd like in shop windows.

Am slightly envious, as DS2 loves his bloody euphonium so much we took it camping...

Ds1 did a bit of violin and then played guitar hero on the ps2. Not sure he wrote that in his practice diary!
ds2 has been singing constantly but minimal clarinet, ds3 a bit of piano and dd has given the flute a bit of a go. All promising faithfully to try harder when school starts. the invoices arrived yesterday for the lessons

DD tickled the ivories a few times a week.

Violin has been gathering dust though, DD desperate to continue lessons though

Ds practises in the long holidays unless we are away. Same routine straight after breakfast.

All my pupils seem to practise in the holidays - they all come back better anyhow.

I think a lot depends on whether the teacher set work - I always check if they are away. Another technique for the terminally competitive is to announce a scale competition first week back with a leader board on my sideboard.

Am now feeling vaguely guilty - have not played the clarinet for about 3 weeks and have a lot of work this month - must get them out

Do you play professionally, Mrs JC?

mine did!!

Well for the last week I have 'encouraged' them to practice every day - before that we were away.

covered in thick dust - no interest at all so not bothered with another argument.

Mine are such beginners (guitar) that they don't really have much to practice yet. I don't know how I'm going to persuade them to practice though. Every time I mention the word a defiant "oh no, she's lecturing me. I won't won't won't" look comes across their usually fairly sweet looking little faces. Yet it never occurs to them to have a little jamming session off their own bat so I can't happen along and say "ah! how fine that plinky plunking sounds..." and encourage them that way. How did all of you stars help your kids establish a practice routine? Tell me your secrets!

scummy

I used to pay mine to practice when they were little

10p per practice and if the practised 6 times they got a pound. and at that stage practice was only 10 mins. and at the same time of day - for us, before school

Oh yes Beetroot, one of them will definitely go for that- he loves money. And maybe the other one will get jealous of me saying how good the moneylover is getting at guitar and that will spur him on also... Ooo- That sounds like a good plan. I can see why you have 4 musical kids now, Beets!

scummy - one of mine just is not musical and shows no interest but still palys the french horn.

and yes - competition is often a good thing

I had alittle chart on the wall they they ticked once they had practised

well he had a go at keyboard and that's not too bad but violin?????

AAAACCCKKK

It's like he's starting all over again. Granted he only had one year of violin and 2 of keyboard.

His first class in violin is Wednesday. His teacher will have a heart attack.

yes I do SauerKraut

so it is very, very naughty not to practice. and not a great example to set to all your children. Shhhh, now, don't tell 'em

DD pretty much stuck to her own drawn up timetable of practice for cello and piano, though it is getting a bit dull with the same pieces through the whole of the summer!

ds shares violin class with one other girl whom I'm sure did no slacking over the summer!

dd practiced her vioin a little but not the daily practice she does in term time.

ds2 had been thinking about dropping piano lessons, but when he went back today he got a prize for his playing last term (teacher has a complicated points system), and the prize was chocolates, so all thoughts of giving up have gone straight out of the window!

This year ds1 has started secondary and doesn't get home until at least 30 mins after ds2. So I'm hoping that will be a good, regular slot to use to get ds2 to do some decent practice.

Ds1 (7.2) has - he has practised piano and violin pretty well every day.

We just made it part of the evening routine - after tea it is piano, violin, teeth, pyjamas etc. He's pretty good about it.

Dd (5.0) is starting cello next week - could be interesting...

DCs have been doing some most days but then again I in a moment of madness got them a drum kit. Rule is other instruments must be played before any drumming.

DS wanted to take his trombone on holiday

DS had his guitar out a bit, but.....

He got "Rock BAnd" for his PS3 for his August Birthday, and so has spent hours on the drumkit & "guitar"

Nope. Piano lid closed for eight weeks in quattro household. I nagged. I begged. I cajoled. I gave up.

Good for little Weasley! Trombonists rule.

Same as Tortoiseshell here- part of daily routine. Also made sure they were really old enough to understand the deal before they started.

DS practised most days; big audition and an exam coming up, though.

He even had an extra couple of lessons during the holidays (pushy mum emotion)!!

KM could you do a few practice sessions with him prior to his lessons starting up again?

DS1 did not touch his violin. Mostly because I had no clue how to even tune it. I dreaded the thing.
One session at his new instructor had us sorted, I had learnt to tune, read his music sheets, where his hands should go, and how to hold the bow, within 10 minutes. It really was "mums instant violin follow up session" Now we practice together nearly every day. What have I let myself in for....

oh Mrsweasley tell me about the drum kit. ds2 wants to learn drums he is deaf in one ear and I've no idea where I would put them or who I could get to teach him.

qs - i made him start going over it a couple of days ago. he's got first lesson tonight.

KerryMum: Our music service ran a percussion group for 1 week of the holidays and my DCs are hooked. We got some foam pads that go on the drums which are sort of like silencers. (they are allowed pads off aswell, I'm not that mean )

As for lessons I am planning on asking the music service for a group lesson at home!or asking at the local senior school if any older drum pupils fancy teaching them a few basics.
They are loving them.

oh and the best bit is if they play the drums when my mum is visiting - she goes home