Just For Parents
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Practice Spot
This site ROCKS!! It's great for parents,
teachers, and students. Lots of helpful
advice!
This site ROCKS!! It's great for parents,
teachers, and students. Lots of helpful
advice!
Help From the UK
The BBC has created a Parents Music
Room with all kinds of helpful info. Also,
they have a separate page on How To
Help .
The BBC has created a Parents Music
Room with all kinds of helpful info. Also,
they have a separate page on How To
Help .
Kirk Tatnall- "Vortex" - From
the album Temporal Vortex
www.kirktatnall.com
the album Temporal Vortex
www.kirktatnall.com
Violin Fingering Chart
Help your little ones know
where to put their fingers.
Help your little ones know
where to put their fingers.
This page is being redone in order for you to help
your kids more effectively. If you have some advice
for other parents please email me and let me know!
your kids more effectively. If you have some advice
for other parents please email me and let me know!
| Advice From a Teacher Of Mine! musician and great teacher, but he's also a parent. Click HERE for some great advice! |
Tips On Getting Your Kids To Practice
From Other Parents...
"We keep a dry erase board of items the kids must do daily. They get stars when they do the
practices and puts forth her own effort." - L. Rolenc
"I just make it a "Must do" every day. I have found that when the teacher requests it of her,
she takes it more seriously- like it's a class assignment." - T. Estock
"D-I-law
Gives a token coin for each day practiced at the end of the month
(they have to have 30 coins)they can be turned in for Movie (Dinner
out) Toy what ever. The days that the child does not practice they
have to give her 2 coins back that they have already earned." - Sher
More to come...
practices and puts forth her own effort." - L. Rolenc
"I just make it a "Must do" every day. I have found that when the teacher requests it of her,
she takes it more seriously- like it's a class assignment." - T. Estock
"D-I-law
Gives a token coin for each day practiced at the end of the month
(they have to have 30 coins)they can be turned in for Movie (Dinner
out) Toy what ever. The days that the child does not practice they
have to give her 2 coins back that they have already earned." - Sher
More to come...
From Students (Not just mine) :
"I write it down in my planner" -A. Graeber (10)
"I do a page of homework, and then practice for 5- 10 mins., and keep rotating them" -A.
Hastings (10)
"I don't think anybody likes to practice. Maybe the first thing is, think of it as playing, or
"spending time with the instrument." "Practice" doesn't frame the issue very well. And
then you just have to sit down, with the instrument, and go to work, and make this a regular
habit. If you don't practice you're not a musician; it's just that simple." -C. Sunday
(adult-also a teacher)
"[I]Put aside time everyday allotted for practice I have to have structure."-Sher
More to come...
From Teachers:
If you have something to add
please let me know! Click HERE
please let me know! Click HERE
unproductive and puts playing a musical instrument in the same category as school
homework. Try allowing your child the opportunity to chose when and which day to
practice. For example, out of the seven days of the week, one of the days is a lesson day,
(no practice on that day), there must be four practice days, and two days off (it's optional
to practice on these days if the child wants)." -J. Grassel (guitar) (click HERE for more
advice from Mr. Grassel)
"I teach piano- but in reference to your questions, maybe this will help
1. Schedule it in just like homework. Put them in a room away from distractions.
2. You can't move on next week (to impress your friends) if you don't practice this wks
lesson- we'll have to do it again ho hum!" -C. Mosely
"These are the recommendations from "How to get your child to practice without resorting to
violence":
Remain calm but firm; don't nag, threaten, get angry, or give up. Brushing teeth is not
optional, and neither is practicing. 10 minutes a day is fine at the beginning.
Create a musical environment: this will include listening to the Suzuki CD's, other CD's of
classical music or other musics, going to concerts, and listening to NPR (National Public
Radio) programs with classical music. Have music on all the time, or at least during meals
and before bedtime.
Make it fun and enjoyable. Let the child be happy and loved at all times. Never make
being loved contingent on whether they practice, or whether they do well.
Use lots of praise, even for the smallest thing, and even if it sounds awful. There is always
something positive to say: "You really worked hard" "That sounded pretty good" "That was
much better than last time." No negative or derogatory remarks!!
I tell them they have to {practice}. Period. They have to. But only on the days they eat.
:-)" -C. Sunday (violin, piano, viola)
"ONE week of practice equals a Friday trip to Jam with other musicians" -Sher (teaches her
grandson)
More to come...
homework. Try allowing your child the opportunity to chose when and which day to
practice. For example, out of the seven days of the week, one of the days is a lesson day,
(no practice on that day), there must be four practice days, and two days off (it's optional
to practice on these days if the child wants)." -J. Grassel (guitar) (click HERE for more
advice from Mr. Grassel)
"I teach piano- but in reference to your questions, maybe this will help
1. Schedule it in just like homework. Put them in a room away from distractions.
2. You can't move on next week (to impress your friends) if you don't practice this wks
lesson- we'll have to do it again ho hum!" -C. Mosely
"These are the recommendations from "How to get your child to practice without resorting to
violence":
Remain calm but firm; don't nag, threaten, get angry, or give up. Brushing teeth is not
optional, and neither is practicing. 10 minutes a day is fine at the beginning.
Create a musical environment: this will include listening to the Suzuki CD's, other CD's of
classical music or other musics, going to concerts, and listening to NPR (National Public
Radio) programs with classical music. Have music on all the time, or at least during meals
and before bedtime.
Make it fun and enjoyable. Let the child be happy and loved at all times. Never make
being loved contingent on whether they practice, or whether they do well.
Use lots of praise, even for the smallest thing, and even if it sounds awful. There is always
something positive to say: "You really worked hard" "That sounded pretty good" "That was
much better than last time." No negative or derogatory remarks!!
I tell them they have to {practice}. Period. They have to. But only on the days they eat.
:-)" -C. Sunday (violin, piano, viola)
"ONE week of practice equals a Friday trip to Jam with other musicians" -Sher (teaches her
grandson)
More to come...
From Me:
I also schedule practice into my day and write it down in my planner. It doesn't always
work exactly as planned, but at least there's a visual thing there. I can also show that to
those who want my constant attention. I can say "Look- I have to practice from this time
to this time".
I also have goals, and write down exactly what I need to work on. For violin, if I have
questions, I write them down in a notebook that I keep specifically for violin right away,
and take it to my lessons. I have short term and long term goals. They are great
motivators.
Since I practice 3 instruments, I also schedule how much time I spend on each instrument.
The ones that require the most attention get the most time, and the ones that require the
least attention get the least. I also switch off instruments. I stand when I play violin, so
when I want to sit, I'll play piano. I also take breaks.
I find it very motivating to see performances and give them, and play with others.
What I Don't Do...
I don't take phone calls, schedule something during my practice time, or tolerate
interruptions.
What You Can Do...
The best thing you can do is HELP your kids. Help them figure out goals, decide when's the
best time to practice, and help them with the lesson material. Little ones especially need
help. If you are not musically inclined, attend some of the lessons with your kids,
especially when they are first starting. Get a set of flash cards to help them with note
reading and musical symbols.
Take them to see live music!!! There are many opportunities, especially in the summer.
There are tons of free things to take the family to. Also, the MSO has Sunday matinees
sometimes geared towards kids.
If you play an instrument, play with them! The students I have whose parents play an
instrument and/ or learn with them are some of the best players.
Help them make practice fun! Also, let them play around with their instrument.
What You Don't Want To Do...
Don't schedule too much stuff for them to do. The biggest excuse I get from students for
their lack of practice is that they were too busy. Why? Too many activities. Sure, kids
should be involved in things, but some are involved in too much. If they don't have time
to practice, why are you spending the money?
DON'T NAG!
Don't let them watch TV, go on the computer, or play until they've practiced.
Don't call it practice. Call it playing. Ex. "Go play your guitar/violin" Practice sounds like
homework. What kid likes homework?
work exactly as planned, but at least there's a visual thing there. I can also show that to
those who want my constant attention. I can say "Look- I have to practice from this time
to this time".
I also have goals, and write down exactly what I need to work on. For violin, if I have
questions, I write them down in a notebook that I keep specifically for violin right away,
and take it to my lessons. I have short term and long term goals. They are great
motivators.
Since I practice 3 instruments, I also schedule how much time I spend on each instrument.
The ones that require the most attention get the most time, and the ones that require the
least attention get the least. I also switch off instruments. I stand when I play violin, so
when I want to sit, I'll play piano. I also take breaks.
I find it very motivating to see performances and give them, and play with others.
What I Don't Do...
I don't take phone calls, schedule something during my practice time, or tolerate
interruptions.
What You Can Do...
The best thing you can do is HELP your kids. Help them figure out goals, decide when's the
best time to practice, and help them with the lesson material. Little ones especially need
help. If you are not musically inclined, attend some of the lessons with your kids,
especially when they are first starting. Get a set of flash cards to help them with note
reading and musical symbols.
Take them to see live music!!! There are many opportunities, especially in the summer.
There are tons of free things to take the family to. Also, the MSO has Sunday matinees
sometimes geared towards kids.
If you play an instrument, play with them! The students I have whose parents play an
instrument and/ or learn with them are some of the best players.
Help them make practice fun! Also, let them play around with their instrument.
What You Don't Want To Do...
Don't schedule too much stuff for them to do. The biggest excuse I get from students for
their lack of practice is that they were too busy. Why? Too many activities. Sure, kids
should be involved in things, but some are involved in too much. If they don't have time
to practice, why are you spending the money?
DON'T NAG!
Don't let them watch TV, go on the computer, or play until they've practiced.
Don't call it practice. Call it playing. Ex. "Go play your guitar/violin" Practice sounds like
homework. What kid likes homework?