MOTIVATION
by Pamela deWall (Wiley) 
Published in CPSA Newsletter in January 2008 as a reprint from 1997.

I think it goes without saying that the most important ingredient in learning to play an instrument is motivation. Natural talent and good teachers cannot make up for lack of motivation. Unless a child really wants to progress and grow on his instrument, there is very little teachers can do – even the best of them. And natural talent will remain undeveloped.

It is an accepted tenet of the Suzuki Method that the parents have an indispensable role in the success of their child’s musical development. What is not understood sometimes is how the parent’s role changes as the child becomes older, more capable of taking responsibility for his own practicing, etc. The one aspect of the parents’ role that does not change is motivation. Parents are really in charge of this aspect of the Method and remain so throughout the course of the endeavor. Children cannot expect to be always self-motivated and teachers cannot be expected to provide the sole motivation of all of his students. Suzuki believes that motivation is created by a child’s environment. Parents are, of course, the main creators of their children’s environment. This is indeed an AWESOME responsibility.

It is my belief that the singe most motivational thing a child can do is attend concerts of live music featuring his instrument. Attending workshops, festivals and listening to good music at home are also motivational. Attending live concerts and watching and hearing someone who has learned to do what your child is trying to accomplish is probably the closest experience you can provide to what made your child want to learn to play an instrument in the first place.  

Fortunately, we live in an area which abounds in high quality concerts and recitals, which are relatively inexpensive and easy to attend. Market Square concerts are top notch and often feature string instruments. The Wednesday Club provides inexpensive or free concerts at all levels – student, resident artist and touring artist. All of the area’s many colleges have recital series which are easy to attend and usually free and of very high quality. 

Please make a New Year’s Resolution to take your child to at least one live concert a month!!! You will be surprised at his response to this. Increased motivation to practice and progress on his instrument is sure to follow!!

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