Powerful statements worth pondering:
“I agree with you totally that it is abhorrent to pay children to practice, and I’m not sure I know quite why. It just seems that there are certain activities that should be done for their own sake, and money shouldn’t enter the picture.
(Yes, art for its own sake is so applicable)
“In another context, it seems bizarre and improper to pay children to study. As parents, we are trying to inculcate some feeling of desire to learn in and of itself, whether it be piano or English or math. And paying someone seems to acknowledge only the difficulties of the work (and none of the rewards), and put it on a par with any other commercial activity.
(Yes, “desire to learn in and of itself” as applied to more than piano, without the commercial tie-in.. well said)
“If a young person feels that learning and playing the piano or other musical instrument is the same as being a box boy or stocker at the local grocery store, maybe he/she lacks the sensitivity and depth that makes the activity valuable and worthwhile.
“But it’s a crass and commercial world, and children are just unfinished products.”
(Sadly, too many young piano students are drawn to what is tangible and can be redeemed in rewards points)
***
“When I saw that thread (at Piano World.com) I cringed as well! For the same reason I don’t award my kids money for chores completed (it’s their responsibility as members of the family, money is given as need dictates but NOT as incentive for basic obedience and responsibility) and we don’t home school with financial incentive for good grades, either, I cannot abide by paying a child to practice. I can’t see how that contributes to a life long love of music, if the incentive to do it is divorced from the product being created.
(Well expressed, and I especially appreciated the reference to the ideal to strive for being “a life long love of music.”)
“I’d rather inspire my children with fun pieces, rich sonic landscapes, or even the ability to play well for others, than to make them spend a token amount of time a day practicing because they’ll be paid. They must do piano practice like any other basic household responsibility, and the reasons for it are one’s they will understand better as they age, but money isn’t a part of that equation!
(Yes, Money is not part of the equation when practicing–it seems so obvious)
“Needless to say I didn’t feel a need to weigh in on that thread, I just read it and shook my head.”
(Sometimes, that’s all you can do to keep your sanity)
RELATED:
https://arioso7.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/paying-a-child-to-practice-piano/
