Practicing is essential to successful instrument playing.  While practicing everyday is ideal, I tell students that 5 days a week is a reasonable goal.  Aim for 15-20 minutes per day, though less time is still much better than nothing. Aim for a weekly total of 80 minutes or more. Most students who don’t practice at all, or very rarely, do not improve their skills and find little satisfaction in playing. Playing should be a positive experience, so gently remind your child to play, without making it seem like an unpleasant chore.  Tell them that the more time they put in to playing, the more fun they will have. Expect that their interest in playing will fluctuate over time and help them through the low points.

 

As they practice, listen for the following things.  We follow this format in our school lessons:

1)   Practice should begin with some long notes, to warm-up.

2)       Students should play a review song or two.  It should be something they know well.

3)       Students should then move on to their new assignment, which they have circled in their book.  You should hear songs with mistakes, which are repeated until there is improvement.   Perhaps they need to play more slowly, isolate one tricky part, check a fingering or note placement.  If the song is repeated with the same mistakes over and over, remind your child about various skills they have to fix the problem.

4)       The practice time should end with a favorite song that the student knows well and enjoys.

 

Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit area in which to practice.  They should have a music stand, and a chair that encourages good posture.   Have them give informal “concerts” for you.  The upcoming holidays provide a great opportunity for them to show-off for family members.