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No one argues that getting better at a sport requires attendance and participation at practices. Many children are involved in hockey practice, gymnastics practice, or dance practice, for example, and no one questions the need for these practices. It makes sense - the more you do it, the better you will get. The same approach applies to learning to play a musical instrument, and the same mindset is needed. You will not get lucky and just play a musical instrument well. It is an investment of time and energy which yields a new skill which a child will have for the rest of his or her life.

Honestly, on some days it is not much fun to practice, and more often than not, your child will probably need positive reminders from you to do it. That is perfectly normal, and is something to be expected. I don't expect 4th and 5th graders to "like" practicing. I don't even "like" practicing sometimes, and I've been playing instruments for 17 years. But I understand that it needs to happen, because the sense of accomplishment from learning how to perform well on an instrument well is a unique and valuable feeling unlike any other on Earth. Beginners are not yet familiar with that feeling, so they need to be reminded that developing the skills of a musician is only possible through regular, patient, thoughtful attention to practicing.

Always approach practicing with a positive attitude. Celebrate each time your child makes time to practice or schedules it into their day. I understand that everyone is "busy." As children or adults, we all have to make time and schedule things or before we know it, the day will be over and there "won't be time." Time management is a life skill, and learning to play a musical instrument can help develop those skills. Make practicing a routine; schedule it into each day, the way you would schedule brushing your teeth. As a famous long distance runner once said: "Asking myself 'am I going to run today?' is like asking myself, 'am I going to brush my teeth?" Of course you are! It is not a judgement call, it is just something that you do, each day, every day. This mindset can be applied to practicing, too.

Every day your child practices helps to build new skills. Technical skills are refined, as their fingers get better and better at finding the notes on the fingerboard. Mental skills are also refined, as they get better and better at reading the note names and executing the notes and rhythms with their instruments. Aural skills are developed as their ears get better and better at finding what they are listening for and learning how to correct their mistakes and improve. Keeping a practice journal in a notebook at home is a great way for your child to reflect on their progress. By writing journal entries about what they worked on and how they thought they had improved, they will see their progress and validate their efforts and hard work one day at a time.

Orchestra students are suggested to practice their instrument for a minimum of 5 days a week for a minimum of 15-20 minutes each session. Major emphasis is placed on the daily aspect of practice, and the number of minutes is important but not to the extent that daily practice is. If I had to choose, I would rather have my students pick up their instruments and practice every day of the week for 5 minutes a day than one day of the week for 35 minutes. The brain and the muscles need to make daily visits to the instrument to solidify skills and build a foundation for success going forward. There are no shortcuts.

Parents and guardians: Thank you in advance for every day and every time that you help your child to remember to practice. Thank you for each time you help them to find a quiet place in your house to practice their instrument, away from distractions or noise (other than their orange book cd). Thank you for cheering them on just because they learned a new note and can play it or just because they are holding their instrument correctly. Thank you for every time you celebrate their new accomplishments, no matter how small they might seem. In the business of beginning strings, and in life, every step counts.

An Article and Letter

By Jesse Traner

adapted from Stephanie McCorkell's

"On Practicing"

October 22nd, 2012