In all these strips with Michael and the trumpet, I cannot remember ONE where he seemed enthusiastic about playing. Why force a child to play an instrument when he’s obviously not interested enough to practice or feel joy in playing? My kids tried several instruments but never seemed to want to practice or really “be into it”. That’s ok. They found other things to be passionate about: sports and art.
No kid should be forced to play an instrument and most boys, would rather be playing games than having to practice on that ‘boring,old._______ ( fill in the bank – musical instrument ). All the carping and tell them how much they’ll regret not practicing later in life, isn’t going to cut it with them !
Only with musical instruments is the “no child should be forced” argument put forth. Kids are forced to learn to read, write, do math, science, go through gym, etc. As Mike G states, learning music has many benefits. Learning to play an instrument also builds an appreciation for all types of music. It builds dexterity, and camaraderie with other children in a class band setting. As a matter of fact, band (and especially marching band) provides a close-knit group of friends.
Give it up. The kid hates it all. Playing the trumpet will not make him into a better person if he hates everything about it. It will just build resentment.
For Michael, it seems that as long as he lives under a roof of a house his parents paid for, powered by utilities his parents subscribed to, eating food his parents bought, wearing clothes his parents got him, playing with toys his parents were nice enough to give to him, then Michael is going to be taking music lessons as long as it serves his parents’ interest.
Without a little encouragement he will just quit. Parents that are negative have kids that are quitters. No matter how bad the kid is at something, you have to make him get through the first training season.
Life’s too short to spend time on things you hate doing. If the task is work related, or otherwise necessary, then that is one thing. If it’s things you chose and they weren’t to your liking, then there is no shame in quitting it. Very few adults will admit to doing something they hate, just to say they are doing it because they do not want to be called a quitter.
Playing the piano, at first, was a real chore for me when I was 14 years old. My piano teacher was very wise and did two things to motivate me: (1) She told my parents, right in front of me, that they were wasting their money and her time giving me piano lessons because I wasn’t practicing as I should. Mom & Dad said I did a 180 and started practicing like crazy after that. (2) She didn’t force me to only play scales, exercises, and those meaningless songs in the Grade 1 piano book. She moved me quickly into the Grade 2 book, which had simplified music from the Masters, AND she helped get me started in learning music I liked: songs from Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals. This wise teacher didn’t give up on me and I have grown to appreciate that more and more over the years. A child usually can’t see the importance of learning scales or exercises until many years later when they use them all of the time in the songs they play.
Sometimes, what is seen as “forcing” is more about challenging the student to stretch a little further outside his or her comfort zone and do something that may not be easy but is, at least in the long run, rewarding.
Do you want to play something when you grow up?A trumpet when you are older is a question.A piano, harp, violin, flute, guitar, usually doesn’t disturb the neighbors.A horn, or drums, will get you in the band, but disturbs folks.Maybe tennis, or baseball, ice hockey, farming, animals, flying, chemistry, biology, being a Ham radio operator, etc.Something for the future, or a job.
Templo S.U.D. over 8 years ago
Your nephew certainly well knows what a # means, Phil.
Argythree over 8 years ago
It means something different these days…
A Hip loving Canadian... over 8 years ago
Right about now it means “I don’t care”.
dlkrueger33 over 8 years ago
In all these strips with Michael and the trumpet, I cannot remember ONE where he seemed enthusiastic about playing. Why force a child to play an instrument when he’s obviously not interested enough to practice or feel joy in playing? My kids tried several instruments but never seemed to want to practice or really “be into it”. That’s ok. They found other things to be passionate about: sports and art.
Atewl over 8 years ago
Lynn’s Notes:
Comic strips and comic books take great advantage of the visual gag. There is no way this punch line could be translated into video!
Linguist over 8 years ago
No kid should be forced to play an instrument and most boys, would rather be playing games than having to practice on that ‘boring,old._______ ( fill in the bank – musical instrument ). All the carping and tell them how much they’ll regret not practicing later in life, isn’t going to cut it with them !
puggles over 8 years ago
Only with musical instruments is the “no child should be forced” argument put forth. Kids are forced to learn to read, write, do math, science, go through gym, etc. As Mike G states, learning music has many benefits. Learning to play an instrument also builds an appreciation for all types of music. It builds dexterity, and camaraderie with other children in a class band setting. As a matter of fact, band (and especially marching band) provides a close-knit group of friends.
summerdog86 over 8 years ago
Give it up. The kid hates it all. Playing the trumpet will not make him into a better person if he hates everything about it. It will just build resentment.
choo choo willy over 8 years ago
When crossing a street, you need to C# or you will Bb.
USN1977 over 8 years ago
For Michael, it seems that as long as he lives under a roof of a house his parents paid for, powered by utilities his parents subscribed to, eating food his parents bought, wearing clothes his parents got him, playing with toys his parents were nice enough to give to him, then Michael is going to be taking music lessons as long as it serves his parents’ interest.
route66paul over 8 years ago
Without a little encouragement he will just quit. Parents that are negative have kids that are quitters. No matter how bad the kid is at something, you have to make him get through the first training season.
There are very few naturals at anything.
summerdog86 over 8 years ago
Life’s too short to spend time on things you hate doing. If the task is work related, or otherwise necessary, then that is one thing. If it’s things you chose and they weren’t to your liking, then there is no shame in quitting it. Very few adults will admit to doing something they hate, just to say they are doing it because they do not want to be called a quitter.
LindainOregon over 8 years ago
It’s no longer a C sharp… now it’s a C hashtag!
Snoopy_Fan over 8 years ago
Playing the piano, at first, was a real chore for me when I was 14 years old. My piano teacher was very wise and did two things to motivate me: (1) She told my parents, right in front of me, that they were wasting their money and her time giving me piano lessons because I wasn’t practicing as I should. Mom & Dad said I did a 180 and started practicing like crazy after that. (2) She didn’t force me to only play scales, exercises, and those meaningless songs in the Grade 1 piano book. She moved me quickly into the Grade 2 book, which had simplified music from the Masters, AND she helped get me started in learning music I liked: songs from Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals. This wise teacher didn’t give up on me and I have grown to appreciate that more and more over the years. A child usually can’t see the importance of learning scales or exercises until many years later when they use them all of the time in the songs they play.
Sometimes, what is seen as “forcing” is more about challenging the student to stretch a little further outside his or her comfort zone and do something that may not be easy but is, at least in the long run, rewarding.
38lowell over 8 years ago
Do you want to play something when you grow up?A trumpet when you are older is a question.A piano, harp, violin, flute, guitar, usually doesn’t disturb the neighbors.A horn, or drums, will get you in the band, but disturbs folks.Maybe tennis, or baseball, ice hockey, farming, animals, flying, chemistry, biology, being a Ham radio operator, etc.Something for the future, or a job.