More Practice Tips
Updated 7/25/11
Learning a musical instrument is a family affair! Your child needs your guidance and encouragement. Here are some specific tips on how to create a lasting relationship between your child and his instrument of choice, especially as they get pass the early beginning stage.
- -Help your child set up a regular time every day to practice.
- -Help them establish a routine. This may require some consultation with the teacher. A typical middle schoolers’ half-hour practice routine might include:
- * Warmup — 1-3 minutes
- * Play a fun, familiar piece — 3-5 minute
- * Work on a new or difficult piece — 10-15 minute
- * Work on technical requirements, such as scales or other technique builders — 5 minutes
- * Play something fun to conclude the session
- -Help your child understand that playing only familiar songs will not help him/her improve.
- -Explain to your child that learning happens in stages. Sometimes a student will work on something for a long time with no apparent improvement, and then discover a sudden leap in ability. Other times, learning happens very quickly. The important thing to stress is that consistent practice will yield results.
- -Help your young musician set practice goals. Keeping a journal, not just a practice chart, helps track the peaks and valleys of learning a new piece or improving fundamental skills.
- -As a parent, don’t make judgments about the musical quality of your child’s practicing. Learning an instrument requires lots of squeaks, scratches, and wrong notes.