I Love to Practice

That’s what we all want our children to say. You are the home teacher! Here are ideas to keep you motivated so that you can help your children have the best possible musical experience.

Joy! Enjoy the process. If you can figure out how to have pleasant practice sessions, you and your children will succeed. This may be the hardest part of the whole process, and perhaps the most crucial. Suzuki said that little children should “practice three minutes, five times a day, with joy.”  The main goal for practice should be with joy.

Lifelong Bond:  This is a very special time that you have with your children. You have your child one-on-one during practice. Sometimes practice is the only time that a parent and child have alone together. Treasure your children and their accomplishments. Be understanding, encouraging and loving and I promise you that you will have success beyond anything you could have ever imagined.  It will truly deepen your relationship when you engage in the Suzuki process.

Move at your child’s pace. Allow your child to move at a pace that is natural for them.  

Compare only so you have a general idea of what others are doing if its helpful. Every child is unique.

Be reasonable—don’t expect perfection. One of the parent’s most important jobs is to show children that life is not a matter of being perfect, but one of trying new things and growing.  We do not want children to be overly cautious about learning.          We want them to be interested in a variety of things, and willing to accept a challenge.

Work for an accomplishment rather than a set amount of time. One of the best ways you can teach your children to be efficient workers is to stop early when they have accomplished the goals for a practice session. If students can learn to reach their goals in less time, they learn efficiency.  

Do not ask for too much. If you stop the practice session before the child is ready to stop, the child will want to play again the next day. Suzuki said, “Move slowly and never stop.” 

Divide practice sessions in approximate thirds: one-third review, one-third preview, and one-third polishing. Polishing means working on the last three pieces and getting those so that they are performance ready.

Review every day. In addition to the things your teacher has asked your child to work on, if your child is in Book 1, he should be practicing all of the pieces in Book 1 every day.   The students at the end of Book 2 should play all of the pieces in Book 2 every day.  This may mean two practice sessions.  Review charts can also  be helpful. 

Gradually lengthen practice time. Children need to slowly gain physical stamina. They will also have more repertoire as time progresses, and practicing will automatically get longer as they review.

Consistent. If your child knows that you will practice every day at the same time, it is easier for you and more secure for your child. Find a time that works best for your family. If you can, practice for ten or fifteen minutes before school.  

Don’t negotiate. If you practice only when your child feels like it, you will probably never practice. Get in the habit of regular practice and do it. Say, “Practicing is what we do in our family.” I have found that “in our family” is one of the greatest phrases you can use. If children believe that something is done in their family, they will do it!

Focus on quality rather than quantity. Small manage-able sections can be worked out with a feeling of success. Do one measure thoroughly so the child can really master it. More is not always better. It is better to play fewer pieces and play them well, so move slowly and carefully.

Remember the power of praise. Praise always accomplishes more than criticism. Sometimes it is not just praise but acknowledgment. Acknowledge what the child is doing. Keep a running list of all the wonderful things that your child does. If your child is just starting to read, make the list in large print so the child can read for himself all the things that he did well.  

Stay positive. Be of good cheer. Avoid statements like, “You’re not even trying,” “That’s terrible,” or, “You’re just trying to irritate me!” If you feel something hurtful coming, put your hand over your mouth. Do not say something that could destroy weeks of positive growth.   

Help older children find time to practice. One of the best things you can do is to excuse your teenager from some household tasks in exchange for practicing. Make it easy for them.

Consider active listening part of practicing. Active listening makes the practicing and learning easy. Put your child to bed every night with a tape of the next piece. They will be able to learn the notes to that piece very rapidly. If you are in a time crunch, and simply can’t practice one day, listen. If you have to choose between practicing and listening, listen. If you go on a camping trip and you can’t take the guitar, listen instead.  

Excerpted from a talk given by Joanne Bath to parents of the Greenville Suzuki Association, November 1999.  

I modified it some as well ;-)

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