Mums & Dads

Parental Practice Methods
23/11/2009 - 10:45 by Mike Saville

The Student Teacher


Photo courtesy of WWWorks

Get your child to teach their piece to you.

This is a great way for your child to really get to know a piece they are learning. It also allows you to spend some really quality time together with no chance of criticism.

Get into position on the instrument just as though it is a lesson with the real teacher. Your child will take the role of teacher and you the student.Read more . . .

22/07/2009 - 19:10 by How To Practice

Task Master

Work with the teacher to focus your childs practice.

To use this method you need to liaise closely with their teacher. Also make sure you are aware of what your child needs to practise between lessons - this could be via a conversation with the teacher or via a practice diary.

A few simple things will be a major help to your childs progress:

  • Encourage your child to practise all the required items regularly.
  • Note any issues/concerns you or your child has.
  • Write down or discuss these concerns with the teacher and agree a way forward.
  • Repeat.

If you take an active interest in what your child is practising the child is more likely to want to practise. Practice then has a double appeal in that as well as enjoying the music they also get to spend time with thier parents.

21/07/2009 - 18:39 by How To Practice

Supply Teacher


Photo courtesy of Chippenziedeutch

Make your childs practice sessions really productive.

You don't need any musical knowledge to use this method but it will require a little of your time.

For the practise session you are going to pretend to be your childs teacher (in reality it is they who will be teaching themselves!)

Get your child to tell you what they need to practise, why they need to practise this and how they are going to do it.

Listen to your childs practise and ask lots of questions:

  • Was that correct?
  • Were those the right notes?
  • Why do you think that went wrong?
  • How could you make it better next time?
  • etc

You should find that you don't need to know anything about music at all and that your child will know what they need to put right, your presence will help them to focus and achieve more in a shorter time.

21/07/2009 - 18:28 by How To Practice

Concert Goer


Photo courtesy of marfis75

Use this method to get your child used to playing in front of others and making practice a little different and more fun.

Agree with your child at the start of the week a time for a mini concert. Agree that the performance will include the pieces they are working on this week along with one other piece they can already play.

At the agreed time sit and listen to your child play thier music - finishing with thier current 'masterpiece'.

Remember to give very positive feedback - no matter how they have played

You can expand the mini concert idea by inviting family and friends. You could draw tickets for the concert or make a video. Use your imagination.

21/05/2009 - 11:33 by How To Practice

A Few Good Words


Photo courtesy of Dariuszka

Give your child an extra lift and building thier confidence.

This method is very simple but the rewards can be huge for both parent and child.

  • Stop a moment and listen when your child is practising.
  • However well they have played make a positive comment.
  • Leave them to thier practise.
  • Repeat regularly.

A child who is struggling will be given a lift by a few kind words from thier parents. A child who is already doing well will feel even more confident.Read more . . .