2592 days ago

How much to practice?

Geoffrey from Seatoun

I've been teaching music for 28 years now and the longer I teach the more I realize that practice for kids under the age of 10 is not so important. I have seen so many cases where kids never practice and then by the time they are 10 or 11 they are playing very well.

One young man who I taught from the age of 8 to the age of 10 never practiced and was the slowest learner. I couldn't give up on him though, he had no dad and his mum use to ply me with tea and biscuits and tell me I was his greatest mentor. 7 years later I saw him play live ripping out a Metallica solo and he was absolutely shredding! His mum was there and after the performance she told me when he turned 13 he started playing non stop. The two years of lessons laid down a very solid foundation to build from.

I have many stories like this so please don't be too hard on the young ones and let them enjoy and express themselves at their own pace.

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More messages from your neighbours
3 hours ago

The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand

Summer Kiwi Quiz - 2026

Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!

Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here

The Team at Stuff
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3 days ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 10.4% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.4% Complete
  • 19.9% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    19.9% Complete
  • 69.7% Nah - not for me
    69.7% Complete
815 votes
16 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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