We've heard it before "Practice makes perfect." and "Perfect practice makes perfect". Even the most eager learner might cringe when told to "practice your music instrument everyday". There's something about the word "practice" that overwhelms us and tempts us to run out the door. To most the word practice means "drudgery" and "boring". But nowadays, music teachers utilize new techniques of teaching music in a more motivating and enjoyable way. There are also lots of good method books and practice books available in the market today. The bottom line is, if we want to master our chosen music instrument and become good players, we should aim to practice it everyday. Perhaps at first it may seem like a chore, but as we progress and become more skilled players, practicing becomes enjoyable. Here are some practice tips for parents of young music beginners and other beginning music students:
- Make practice time a daily routine. Sit down with your child and determine when is the best time to practice. It is important that you involve your child in this decision so as not to make him feel that he is "forced to do it". In my case I find the perfect time to get my child to sit down and practice is after school, after she has rested and before doing her homework. She goes out to play with her friends after she has finished practicing and doing her homework.
- Don't make daily practice too long. For young children it is not advisable to make daily practice sessions longer than 15 minutes. Young children simply don't have the patience to sit down and concentrate on learning a musical instrument for long periods, especially if they're just beginning. On the other hand, if you see that your child is becoming more interested in learning his music instrument, you can lengthen his practice time. But don't make it too long that he becomes too tired and strained in the end. Remember, take your cue from your child, never force your child.
- Encourage your child through your words and actions. Words of encouragement can go a long way when it comes to learning how to play a musical instrument. Remember to always encourage your child, take note of the progress he has made and the improvements he's showing. A smile and a hug means a lot to a child. Make practice time a time to bond with your child.
- Practice time should be enjoyable and not a punishment. Perhaps the most important advise I can give you is to never make practice time a punishment, it will make your child dislike ,or even hate, daily practice if you do so. Rather, make practice time enjoyable by showing him your support and enthusiasm. Some parents even have a daily practice chart where the child can put stickers on after every practice session. Be creative and have fun, music is meant to be enjoyed.
- Communicate with your child's music teacher If your child is taking private or group lessons, make it a point to talk to his teacher. Ask his teacher what areas your child needs to improve on so that you can implement that during your practice time at home. Don't forget to do warm-ups first, then practice the piece his teacher assigned and end it with the pieces he already knows and enjoys.
- Make his practice area comfortable. Is the seat comfortable? Is their proper lighting? How about ventilation? Make sure that your practice room is comfortable for your child and that there are no distractions so he can concentrate on his pieces.
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