Encouraging my son to work at the saxophone
It is so tough to keep my son, Benjamin, focused and motivated to practice his saxophone. He recently took up the tenor sax and it's very daunting for him. Mostly because he's such a perfectionist! He feels like he should already be able to play every note without any errors. He feels like he should get the sax to play "Greensleeves" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" just like it's supposed to.
He also feels behind the other kids, since we moved into the school district in October and most kids got a couple of months' extra practice.
So I tried to tell him that everyone needs to practice! Everyone needs to try hard and work at what is really important. I used the example of athletes: they work and work at their craft for hours and hours a day in order to get good. He shouldn't get frustrated because he can't do something. He should work hard and he will get better.
Any advice? Motivating lessons? Anecdotes?