08/20/2025
Newsflash for new band parents!!
Your brand new beginning band student is not going to make great sounds on their instrument. Not today, not for a while.
It’s not a lack of talent, effort, instruction or anything else. This is a developmental process. It’s gonna take a minute.
Moms & dads, you do not get to make snide comments about the sounds your kid makes. Yes, they sound like they’re playing the world’s most expensive duck call, a bull moose in heat &/or the plumbing is backed up. That’s normal. It gets better, but only if you let it get better.
And for heavens sake, don’t make your kid go outside to practice. You let the dog in the house, but make your kid go outside? Really??
Take a Tylenol, screw on a smile & repeat after me “it sounds better honey…try it again dear…I’m proud of your effort baby.”
Your kid deserves your support, love & patience. Praise early & often. Go sit on the side of the bed while they make some sound. Keep smiling, keep praising. Take another Tylenol, Breathe deeply, smile again…. be patient & positive. What your kid wants more than anything is to make you proud & to earn your praise. Don’t be a crusher of dreams.
Here’s a prediction… By the time your kid gets to Christmas, they’ll knock your socks off at what they can do. Mark the date on the calendar & start your personal countdown…. Trust me on this.
If you constantly tell your kid they won’t be successful, don’t be surprised when you are right.