Integrating Practice with Lessons
- Take good notes at lessons so that you'll know exactly what the teacher wants you to practice that week. Practice sheets for taking notes at lesson are available at registration.
- You may want to record lessons so you can listen to and practice a difficult spot along with the example your teacher recorded for you.
- Do not start your child on a new piece without the teacher's permission. There are preparatory exercises which lead to the actual work on each new piece that your teacher will want to preview with the student. You could cause your child much additional work by trying to take the lead in this area. Even if you have had an older child learning the piece before, do not take the initiative to move ahead. Each student's needs are different, and the teacher will advise when and how each child should move on in the repertoire.
- Be careful not to slip into the "from piece to piece" attitude. We must strive to encourage our children to go "from skill to skill."
- Ask the teacher at the end of each lesson how long he or she wants the student to practice each day. It is also helpful to ask specifics, such as how many times certain sections should be repeated each day, which pieces are to be reviewed and for which particular skill, and how tonalization should be practiced during the week. When you are armed with specific instructions from your teacher, your practice sessions will be more productive and more rewarding.
- Pay close attention to how your teacher leads the lesson. It will be your responsibility to prepare for and pace the practice sessions at home. Sessions filled with the child stalling and the parent talking are unproductive. It's kinder to your child in the end to keep practice moving: note how your teacher does this.
- Focus your energy and your child's energy on one attainable goal for the week (if your teacher has set one) or a goal for the day. Having too many goals is confusing. Work on one thing at a time. Ask your teacher for focus and direction.