STRIVE TO PRACTICE EVERY DAY
It is daily practice that leads to ability development. As Dr. Suzuki says:
- "Talent is the result of 10,000 repetitions!"
- “Practice only on the days you eat!”
YOUR PRACTICE SPACE
- Find an area free of clutter and distractions that will be a dedicated “practice area”
- Leave your music and music stand set up.
- Leave your violin where you can see it and it is easy to pick up and start playing any time.
- Have your accessories, tuner, metronome, device for listening to your current pieces and/or record your practice.
PRACTICE ROUTINES
- By developing regular practice routines
- Skills slowly improve over time
- Improved skills make playing become more enjoyable
- This leads to a student that wants to stay engaged and interested
- Truth - when a student keeps progressing practicing becomes an activity they start to enjoy!
- If you don't practice, you will play poorly. Nobody wants that!
- Irregular practice consequences
- Student experiences slow progress
- Develops into a frustrated / bored student
- Leading to less motivation to practice.
- It is better to practice a little bit every day than to practice a lot all in one day.
- Students are asked to practice the length of their lesson a minimum of 6 days a week.
- Younger students would do best by breaking practice into smaller time segments
- Know exactly what you are expected to have prepared for your next lesson.
- Practice at the same time every day.
- Habit stack by attaching your practice session to the end of an already existing routine you have.
CHOOSE RESIENCE OVER HAPPINESS
- Developing practice routines is not easy. Remember both yourself as the parent coach and your child are learning a new role and skills. As the home coach it is important to acknowledge that your child is not obligated to be motivated to practice - motivation is created and recreated. What motivates today may be different tomorrow.
- Acknowledge & empathize
- Set boundaries
- Stay calm
- Repair
- Although practice can be enjoyable it is not always fun. The fun part is when your child develops his/her skills and can play well!
Remember that one of the most rewarding feelings is when we master something difficult!
- Developing resilience and focus are lifelong skills.
PARENTAL ROLE
- Parents have crucial role in helping their child develop a good practice routine.
- Create a home environment that prioritizes music - bathe your child in music.
- Parents support their child by creating a motivating environment without anger or negative criticism.
- Parents will need to remind, encourage, and ensure their child is practicing daily.
- Keep a positive and supportive attitude toward your child’s practice.
- Recognize and rejoice in your child’s work no matter how small the improvement or success.
- Create a reward system for practicing regularly.
- Be creative - remember what works one week might not work the next. Switch it up and try new things.