| |
10. Always call them for practice when the ball game is going best. Call in a loud, demanding voice, so all their friends will feel sorry for them.
9. Never help them with their practice or share time with them during their practice. “I just don’t have the time.”
8. Add another hour of practice when they’ve been naughty or when they don’t mind you. “This will teach them a lesson.”
7. Call loudly from the kitchen or basement each time they make a mistake. Add a punch line such as “If you can’t do any better than that, give it up.”
6. Pay no attention to their music making. “I don’t care whether they practice or not. It’s entirely up to them.”
5. Use an old wreck of an instrument instead of buying a good one. “No sense wasting money until they can play real well.”
4. Threaten periodically to stop their lessons unless: A)They play better than so-and-so. B) They make better grades in school. C)They make their beds each morning. D) They treat their parents with more respect.
3. Keep them away from concerts and recitals until they’re “old enough” and don’t take them unless they can play well enough to “appreciate it.”
2. Insist they never practice when: A) Father is home. B) Baby is sleeping. C) Susie is watching TV. D) Mother is tired.
1. Don’t let them play for their friends or anyone else until they can really play. After 2 or 3 years, they’ll be able to surprise other people. Take them unaware the first time you want them to perform for someone, and ask them in front of everybody to play something. If they refuse, insist that they play. Apologize for their poor performance when they do play for others.
|
