10 Helpful Practice Hints to Use with Your Child

1. Practice Schedule. Be aware that you need to sign your child’s practice schedule each week and that the teacher is looking for your signature. When you sign the practice chart in the “Practice Log”, you are saying that you agree that your child practiced that amount of work. When they maintain the minimal practice amount of 20 minutes, 5 days per week, they are staying right on target. Their grade is influenced by their consistent practice. A routine in their everyday schedule of life will help them be successful at playing their instrument.

2. Set aside a special time just for practicing. Most of your child’s sports activities, homework, and doctor visits are scheduled. Add practicing to the schedule. Decide with your child an appropriate time for practicing. (Mornings, before school are a good time as well as evenings)

Set up a proper practicing area. Experts agree that a quiet study environment is a must. Make sure that your child has:

• a music stand,
• good lighting,
• plenty of room to maneuver,
• CD Player or something that can play their CD (DVD player or computer can play their CD)
• a chair to sit straight in, (bass players excluded),

and anything else to make playing their instrument a joy.

Cello or Bass Players only: *a cello or bass ‘stop’ if playing on a smooth floor, such as wood, linoleum or tile, etc.

Create a “practicing survival kit.” Minimize time lost when your child is looking for items necessary for completing assignments. Put together an area that holds critical supplies such as paper, sharpened pencil, highlighters, post-it notes & CD player. Have a safe place for their CD so it does not get scratched or broken when not in use. (Students are asked not to keep their CD in their book; it can get broken or scratched otherwise)

Decide on an instrument drop spot the night before their lesson or Big Orchestra day (Monday for 5^th Gr/ Friday for 6^th Gr). Have your child assign a spot where he/she can place their instrument so that they do not forget it for their lesson. Avoid morning hunts for missing music by having your child keep their music in their backpack when they are not playing it, that way it is with them when they go to school and when they are home.

Show interest in your child’s instrument ability. When your child asks you to hear what they have been learning, take the time to listen. Ask him/her questions and show support by offering specific comments.

Offer praise as motivation. Check to make sure they are staying on their practice schedule and offer well-deserved praise for the efforts your child makes. Your praise will motivate your child to keep up the good work. Encourage the use of their CD when they practice, but remember it is only a tool. They should work the song out and then use the CD to endorse what they learned.

E-mail the Instrumental music teacher about any practice concerns. Very often, the teacher can suggest a solution to a problem that might be bothering you or your child. By working together, you and the teacher can enhance the opportunity for your child to succeed on their instrument.

Stay involved and informed. Check your child’s practice assignments to make sure they are doing their assignments, to stay involved with what is going on in their instrumental music class, to answer any questions your child may have, and to become aware of anything new going on in their class.

Convey to your child your expectations about practicing. Your consistent messages should be, “Practicing is important to your success on your instrument and I expect practicing to be done appropriately.” It is critical that your child understands that you place importance on practice and that they must practice on a regular basis, 5 days per week for 20 minutes.