Practice Tips/ Routines

1. Make practice a daily routine

Sit down with your child and determine the best time to practice.  A great time to get students to sit down and practice is after school, after they have rested and before doing their homework. Figure out what works best for your child and map out a daily practice time.

2. Create a practice area

Find a space where you child can be away from distractions.  Help them to set up a music stand, chair, a pencil, and their instrument so they have a comfortable space to work.  

3. Keep it short

10-15 minutes a day for beginners is perfect.  For young children it is not advisable to make daily practice sessions longer than 15 minutes. Daily practice reinforces the concepts learned whereas a longer cram session the night before their lesson will not be productive.   

4. Show encouragement through words and actions

Words of encouragement can go a long way.  Remember to always encourage your child, take note of the progress they have made and the improvements he's showing.  Try to think of how far they have come since they first began.

5. Talk to your child's music teacher

Make it a point to talk to your child’s teacher. Ask the teacher what areas your child needs to improve so that you can implement that during practice time at home. Don't forget to do warm-ups first, then practice the assigned pages/pieces.  Some students only play pieces they already know but don’t work on the new assignments.  If you are hearing the same piece over and over chances are it’s time to ask your child or check with the teacher about what assignments they should be working on.