I was a teachers aid for a bit and one of the rooms I worked in was music because I can read and play music on a variety of instruments. One thing I noticed about this one teacher is that no matter how horrid the child played the teacher would make a comment like WOW no one playa that piece like you did. GREAT job. I asked why she did that when her and I both knew in some instances it shows the child has not practiced that week. She laughed and said everyone no matter who it is young or old needs to know they are good for something and accomplishing something with their time. Most kids in music lessons are there not for themselves and alot of times don't want to be there, and who would when after a piano lesson go play and find out all that they missed out on. in Most cases their parentsput them into lessons either because they felt it would do them good or they need to fulfill a school corriculun requirement. So first she goes out of her way to make each childs lesson special by finding music by their favorite singers, at the very least the child is going to be able to play one handed the melody line, and two she always finds something to say to the effect that they were the best at something in their lesson. It doesn't matter if its true or not. The child feels wanted and doesn't feel like the music is a waiste of their time so why bother, and the child alot of times if the parents have forced the lessons on the child is most likely asking the child how they did. Bad enough not wanting to be there but have mom and dad grill them on their progress? thats stress. so she gives the child something outstanding to talk about with their parents by doing this. There were three music teachers at that school and her students were the only ones that entered and left happy and cheerful with themselves and their playing.