Practice Strategies for Parents
- Help your child schedule a daily practice time.
- ***Never use practicing as a punishment. Practicing should be fun!
- Much like the study area a student uses for other homework, a music practice area is very important. Help your child find a quiet distraction free place to practice and be sure there is good lighting and a wire music stand available for them to use.
- Become involved with what your child is doing. Listen to what he or she is playing. Ask your student for an explanation on what he or she has learned in music lessons that day. Look at their lesson book to make sure that they are practicing what they have been assigned. Keep a steady beat for your child by clapping or encourage your child to use a metronome during home practice.
- Encourage your child to always do his or her best.
- Praise your child for work well done.
- Help to foster a musical environment in your home. Attending local concerts, listening to recordings of professional musicians, and having your child give concerts for family members and friends are all great ways to encourage your up-and-coming musician.
- ***Help your child to persevere. There are times when your child will feel less interested and not very motivated. This is normal. Try to withstand the tough times by reaffirming how far your child has come. Remind your child that he or she is a very important part of a team and that the rest of the band is counting on him or her to practice, attend rehearsals, etc. Treat your child to a special instrument accessory or book of popular songs that he or she can play. Learning to play an instrument requires a lot of discipline, perseverance, dedication and determination.