How to Practise - some tips

One of the most daunting thing for parents when their children want to learn is how to set up the practice sessions.  In the beginning practising will be parent-driven.  Later on the pupil will direct.

Parents:

Below are a few tips I hope you find useful

  • Make sure you set up a time (or several times throughout the day) when the student is focused.  If they are looking at the clock to make sure they don't miss the bus, hungry, waiting for a friend to come over - chances are that they can not give you concentrated time.  This makes it especially hard for both parties.
  • Like a lesson; make sure they are fed, watered and toileted
  • If at all possible set up practice at the same time every day
  • Practice space should be free of distractions including other children
  • Playing the CD before heading to practice can be a useful way to prepare the student
  • In the beginning make practice short and successful
  • For smaller children lots of hugs and cuddles are great rewards for accomplishing tasks
  • In the beginning when learning posture take time to relax the muscles
  • 10 things in a practice time is a great way for both parents and students to know how long it will be.  Use buttons, stones, marbles, toys to count
  • Keep it positive.  This is a truly special time for you to spend together.  Cherish it :)
Here's a fantastic website to get you motivated
The free ebook is worth checking out, they have an app for iphone and ipod touch plus other hints and tips!

Pupils:
  • Practice a little EVERY day; this is far more beneficial that one or two long practice sessions a week.
  • Have a certain time each day that is set aside specifically for your practice. It will then become part of your daily routine.
  • Split your daily practice into even smaller time chunks i.e. technical work in the morning and pieces in the afternoon/evening.
  • Learn each piece a phrase at a time. Practice each phrase SLOWLY until you have it and then go to the next phrase.
  • Starting at the beginning of the piece and playing through to the end each time you practice is not an effective use of your time! You are merely practicing mistakes!
  • Don’t practice mistakes or you will become very good at playing them!
  • Sometimes start in the middle of your piece and work to the end.
  • Regularly record yourself and listen carefully to it.
  • Practice the hard bits - not just the bits you like.
  • Listen to your pieces being played by the great players.
In the modern age we have the good fortune to have apps to help!

Here are a couple that may be useful:


Just to keep us happy, positive and motivated.  Here are some wonderful quotes from Dr Suzuki:

“Children learn to smile from their parents.”
“Beautiful tone, beautiful heart.”
“Tone has the living soul”
“What is man’s ultimate direction in life? It is to look for love, truth, virtue, and beauty”
“Art is not in some far-off place. A work of Art is the expression of a man’s whole personality, sensibility and ability”
“Music exists for the purpose of growing an admirable heart.”
“Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart.”
“The real essence of art turned out to be not something high up and far off – it was right inside my ordinary daily self – If a musician wants to become a finer artist, he must first become a finer person.”

Happy Practising!
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