That’s it, look at the date! Mid September! We are officially in “back to school ” mode. All kids are either meeting new friends or reuniting with the ones of the previous year. All the classrooms are full of students being distracted by the beautiful sun right outside the windows. They’re missing the long and lazy summer days when they could wake up whenever, and do whatever with no consequences.
Now, as the school year begins, is the time for choices. Should they concentrate on the academics (they should!) or the creative activities, like music (they should too!). Dilemma, dilemma.
Well, let’s have a closer look at it and try to find a solution.
While Academics work and results are not negotiable, let’s never forget that students who study music are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement. That is not negligible. Let’s suppose that your child has lost a bit of her mojo for school, that she spends a bit too much time obsessing over Taylor Swift and you are in a bind to try to correct the problem. Maybe music is the answer. That child of yours could get on the drums and emulate Taylor’s drumming. Or learn a few chords to follow her Star’s music along her favorite record.
Let’s not forget that music is a social activity. A drum set is an accompanying instrument. By the way, so is the piano. Yes, absolutely, the piano is part of the rhythm section, meaning, those people on stage supposed to support the soloist or singers. Ah! I see someone wants to say something in the back of the class. Yes? “The piano is also a solo instrument.”. You are right, of course. The piano is an everything instrument. One of the few. However, although it has those qualities and can entertain by itself the crowd, it also plays very well with others. But I digress.
So, to the question, how to balance academics and creativity? Easy answer: Organize the schedule. Make sure there is a dedicated time during the week days for the instrument. And maybe some time during the weekend, too. Practicing doesn’t mean 3 hours per day, every day. If the child has a busy schedule, you can also negotiate the work load with the teacher ( I know an excellent one!) to be able to go through everything with maybe 3 or 4 half hour practice sessions per week. What is important is for the student to feel comfortable with pursuing their passion, not meet some imaginary goal that doesn’t exist. What is important is to keep the fun alive and to blend music with her/his life. That’s the only way to keep the passion going.
