Parents & home practice are an integral part of success!
Parents’ Responsibilities
1. Patience, in repeatedly reminding the student to do his/her daily practicing.
2. Encouragement, when the going gets rough. Some things in music are learned easily; others require intensive and repeated application. Parental sympathy and understanding are important.
3. Imagination, in creating a musical atmosphere in the home by tuning in to interesting musical programs on the radio and TV. Buy recordings for your children of well known artists who play the same instrument as they play.
Artists to consider (There are plenty more! This will get you started):
violin: Joshua Bell, Itzhak Perlman, Gil Shaham, Midori, Sarah Chang
viola: Pinchas Zuckerman, Primrose
cello: Yo-Yo Ma, Pablo Casals, Janos Starker
bass: Edgar Meyer
4. Balanced Lifestyle, in avoiding undue stress on musical work. All healthy children want and need a considerable daily portion of vigorous physical activity. Try for a balance of interests into which music practice fits.
Favorable Practice Conditions
1. Schedule a regular practice time.
2. Try to provide a quiet room, adequate lighting, good ventilation, and a comfortable temperature.
3. Keep instruments in first-rate mechanical condition. There is nothing more discouraging than trying to practice an instrument that really needs repair. Tuning is also a major factor! Students will be learning to tune at school; however, if tuning at home seems impossible, please make arrangements to get the instrument to school so Mrs. Fawess can help. (l.fawess@wi.k12.ny.us or 893-3200 ext. 2134.)
4.Praise work well done.
5. Never use practice as a punishment.
Parental Help
You don’t need to be a musician in order to help your musician practice. Encourage practicing, even consider sitting in on your child’s practice session occasionally.
1. Remind your musician to practice the new stuff first!
2. When wrong notes and hesitation keep recurring, suggest:
a. Practicing in short sections, a few measures at a time.
b. Practicing slowly.
c. Checking the written notes carefully to make sure they have been properly read. Say the names of the notes out loud. Say the fingers out loud.
d. Practice a problem spot many times. Make sure it is played twice as many times right as it was done wrong (or else you are practicing a mistake).
Parents can and must have the firmness to insist on what they know is best in the long run, regardless of the frequency, length, and volume of resistance. Sustaining interest is a real challenge at times. Parent involvement is so important for musical growth.
Consider Private Study:
Getting a private teacher is beneficial for everyone. It builds confidence, provides one-on-one attention, and increases a musician’s ability in leaps and bounds. Private teachers vary in style and in price ranges. Some will travel to your home, others teach in their home studio. If you are interested in finding a private teacher for your child then please call Mrs. Fawess at 631-893-3200 ext. 2134 or e-mail l.fawess@wi.k12.ny.us for some recommendations.
Adapted with permission from Ms. Preddice-Strom