What does it mean for parents when they sign their child up for piano or violin lessons?

Growing up learning both piano and violin, later performing and teaching music in individual, group and classroom settings, both internationally and locally, this was never a question I considered until I officially started my own studio in March 2025. Throughout this journey, I only learned music from my own perspective, a child’s, following a combination of my own passion and mother’s encouragement. To be honest, I never felt that I had to be responsible for anybody except for myself. 

However, since starting my own studio, I communicate with parents just as much as students, oftentimes, more with parents than students. At the very first point of contact, when parents express their interest, I try to understand each parent’s needs and their goals for his or her child. In addition, after each lesson, I update the parent(s), whether in-person or through text. I do this not because parents requested but because I feel it is my responsibility for parents to be aware of the child’s performance during lessons and if there’s any particular issues to pay attention to at home during practice.

Having opened my studio for 1.5 years, it is important for parents to be aware that when you sign up your child for piano or violin lessons (or any private music lesson), this signifies that you will support and monitor your child’s practice and progress on a weekly basis. This may mean sitting next to your child during practice and listening and reminding the child what I have written in his or her notebook. I encourage parents to record the child’s practice at home and send it to me so I can monitor it even outside of lesson hours. Frequent communication is encouraged, whether it’s a question, doubt or just clarifications. Furthermore, I even have students take pictures of their completed music theory homework and send it to me before the next lesson so I don’t have to spend time during the next lesson marking when I can move on to the next topic with the student. 

I am fully aware that many families have working parents, both the mother and the father. However, parents need to understand that in order for your child to progress and succeed in his or her piano or violin lessons, depending on your child to absorb and master everything during the lesson is not enough. In fact, it is absolutely impossible. Most of the work still comes from practice and hard work at home. 

Yes, I will not deny that this is a lot of time and effort from the parents’ side. Even if your child is “gifted” or “talented”, believe it or not, the parents’ support still plays a big role in the child’s success.