|
Supporting your student musician's practice is crucial for their growth and development as an artist. As a parent or guardian, your encouragement and involvement play a vital role in fostering their passion and dedication. By offering the right kind of support, you can help your student musician navigate the challenges of practice and achieve their full potential. This article will discuss the top five ways to effectively support your young musician's practice journey.
1. Create a Structured Practice Routine Establishing a structured practice routine is the foundation of progress and improvement for any musician. Please work with your student to set a consistent schedule accommodating their other commitments, such as school and extracurricular activities. Having a designated practice time each day helps instill discipline and makes practicing feel like a regular part of their routine. Please encourage your student to break down their practice sessions into manageable segments, focusing on specific techniques, scales, or pieces. This approach prevents overwhelming them and allows for steady progress in mastering their instrument. 2. Provide a Dedicated Practice Space A designated practice space can significantly enhance your student musician's focus and productivity. Create a quiet and well-lit area where they can comfortably practice without distractions. A suitable practice space will enable them to concentrate on their instrument, helping them refine their skills and build concentration. Additionally, keep their instruments well-maintained and easily accessible. This encourages spontaneous practice and ensures they will save time setting up before each session. 3. Show Interest and Attend Performances Demonstrate your interest in your student musician's progress by engaging with their music. Attend their performances, whether it's a school recital or a community event, and provide constructive feedback afterward. Your encouragement and support during these occasions will boost their confidence and inspire them to continue growing as musicians. Moreover, engage in conversations about music, ask them what they are working on, and express genuine curiosity about their musical journey. Showing interest in their practice and progress will strengthen your bond and foster a positive learning environment. 4. Encourage Them to Set Goals Setting realistic and achievable goals is a crucial aspect of practice. Please encourage your student to set short-term and long-term objectives for their musical journey. Short-term goals include learning a specific song, mastering a challenging technique, or improving sight-reading skills. Long-term goals involve participating in a competition, auditioning for an ensemble, or recording their music. Help your student break down their goals into smaller milestones, celebrating their achievements. This approach promotes a sense of accomplishment and motivates them to stay committed to their practice routine. 5. Emphasize the Importance of Patience and Persistence Learning an instrument can be challenging, and it's essential to emphasize the value of patience and persistence. Please encourage your student musician to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process and not get discouraged. Remind them that progress may not always be linear and setbacks are natural. Celebrate the effort they put into their practice, not just the results. Acknowledging their hard work and dedication, you help them develop a growth mindset, which is crucial for long-term success in music and beyond. Supporting your student musician's practice is an investment in their personal and artistic growth. By creating a structured practice routine, providing a dedicated practice space, and showing genuine interest in their musical journey, you can inspire them to excel. Please encourage them to set goals, stay patient, and persist, even face challenges. Remember, your unwavering support and belief in their abilities will drive their musical success. For more information about music lessons and setting up solid practice routines with Note-worthy Experiences, please contact us at 978.443.0480 or rbordner@note-worthyexperiences.com.
0 Comments
For music students, progress lies in the lessons and the consistent effort they put in between sessions. Practicing between lessons is the key to honing your skills, developing muscle memory, and deepening your understanding of music. However, it's not just about spending hours with your instrument; effective practice makes the difference. This article explores eight essential tips to help music students make the most out of their practice sessions between lessons.
2. Create a Structured Practice Routine Consistency is critical to progress. Establish a structured practice routine that works for your schedule. Divide your practice time into smaller sessions, focusing on different aspects of music (e.g., scales, exercises, repertoire). Consistent practice will help reinforce learning and prevent gaps in your musical development. 3. Warm-Up Regularly Warming up before practice is crucial for preventing injuries and getting your muscles ready to play. Start with gentle stretches, finger exercises, or vocal warm-ups, depending on your instrument. These warm-ups will help improve your flexibility, dexterity, and overall performance. 4. Break Down Difficult Passages When you encounter challenging sections in a piece, don't get discouraged. Break them down into smaller segments and practice them slowly. Work on perfecting each element before gradually increasing the tempo. Patience and persistence are vital during this process. 5. Record Yourself Recording your practice sessions can be an invaluable tool for self-assessment. Listen to your recordings to identify areas that need improvement, such as intonation, timing, or dynamics. This feedback loop will enable you to make targeted adjustments and track progress. 6. Practice Mindfully Mindful practice involves total concentration and focus on the task at hand. Avoid mindlessly going through the motions. Instead, be present during practice, paying attention to your technique, tone, and musical expression. This mindful approach will help you internalize the music and develop a deeper connection with your instrument. 7. Experiment with Interpretation Music is an art form that allows for individual interpretation. While learning a piece, experiment with different phrasing, dynamics, and tempos to find what resonates with you. Don't be afraid to express your emotions through the music, as this personal touch will make your performances more compelling and authentic. 8. Review Previous Lessons Revisit the concepts and pieces covered in previous lessons to reinforce your learning. Refreshing your memory will solidify your understanding of the material and help you progress faster. Additionally, discussing any challenges or questions with your music teacher during the next lesson will enable you to receive timely guidance. Practicing between music lessons is the key to unlocking your full potential as a musician. You can make significant strides in your musical journey by setting clear goals, maintaining a structured routine, and practicing mindfully. Remember that progress may not always be linear, and it's okay to encounter obstacles along the way. Embrace the learning process, stay patient, and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. With dedication and a passion for music, you will continue to grow and evolve as a musician, turning each practice session into a stepping stone toward excellence. Happy practicing! For more information, don't hesitate to contact us at rbordner@note-worthyexperiences.com or 978.443.0480. When a child shows interest and talent in music, it's essential to provide them with the support and encouragement they need to develop their skills. Supporting child musicians at home helps them grow as musicians and instills a lifelong love for music. This article will explore eight impactful ways to foster a nurturing environment and support your child's musical journey at home.
Supporting a child musician at home involves creating a nurturing environment that fosters their passion for music. By providing a dedicated space, encouraging regular practice, attending lessons, and exposing them to diverse musical experiences, you can help them flourish as musicians. Your active involvement, appreciation, and celebration of their achievements will nurture their confidence, inspire their growth, and create a lifelong love for music. So, let your home be a symphony of support, guiding your child's musical journey to new heights. For more information about music lessons with Note-worthy Experiences, contact us at rbordner@note-worthyexperiences.com or 978.443.0480. By: Renee Bordner NWE Music Studio Director One of the frequently asked questions from parents and instructors, is about how much a child should practice their music assignments.
I prefer to have students start with a simple formula. Each student is asked to play each assigned piece four times throughout the week. I encourage students to make their goal of playing each piece a total of twenty times in between the weekly lessons. Students are usually successful if they make tally marks on the music or in their assignment notebooks. This visible tracking system creates an easy opportunity for us to discuss how the practice went throughout the week with the student, parents, caregiver and myself. In order to keep the practice interesting for our beginner students, I ask them to focus on one element each of the four times they play each piece. The first time, students are encouraged to play the piece through focusing on the correct notes. The second time they are asked to focus on the rhythm and counting out loud or with a metronome (an app can be used). I ask students to focus on dynamics and any articulations the third time through. The fourth time can be a lot of fun for some students and that is when I ask students to sing along while playing. If the piece does not have lyrics, I encourage students to create them! This system works well with beginner students who need structure in getting started with a solid practice routine. Once a student can consistently achieve the above recommendations, then it is simple to increase the frequency and length of each practice session. The process helps students break down the various elements of music into smaller steps. When a student is in the habit of breaking the music into sections, it is very easy for a student to independently analyze what he or she should practice in a piece. If your student or you have any questions about setting up a solid practice routine, please feel free to contact me for additional ideas. Best wishes and have fun practicing! What’s on your music stand? (In the voice of the Capital One credit card commercial actor)12/18/2020 By: Renee Bordner NWE Music Studio Director No really, what is on your music stand? If you are a musician or the parent of a musician, this is an important question. A musician should be working on at least one piece of music that the musician selected to work on. Yes it is very important for student musicians to work on warm ups, scales, method books, technique drills, etc.. If a musician has a recital, audition or competition then of course the musician should be working on preparing for the pieces specific to the event. However, if a musician is not preparing for a major event it is also important for a student musician to explore a wide variety of music that is interesting to him or her! There should be a balance for every music student of what is interesting, motivating and appealing to the student AND what the instructor believes will help the student continue to progress as a well rounded musician. IF you believe that there is not a balance in your student musician's assignments, talk to your instructor and or myself. I am always willing to help find new and creative ways to inspire a student musician. In fact, here are a few of the piano pieces I have learned recently in order to prepare for my students' lessons... A Medley from the Halo 3 Video Games, The theme from the television show The Office, multiple pieces from Frozen 2 and "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns & Roses. These pieces were very fun to learn since my students were excited by them.
So, ask yourself and your musician "What's on your music stand?" and consider adding more music that is appealing to your student musician. By: Renee Bordner NWE Music Studio Director As the studio owner, as a piano teacher and as a mom I am often asked when is a good time for someone to start music lessons. I am often asked if a child is too young or a senior citizen is too old. I am happy to address this question here but if you have additional questions, please contact me directly. I am happy to discuss your specific situation and help guide you in deciding what is best.
For me, the answer is very simple. If someone is excited and interested in learning then that is the perfect time or age to learn. Students are never too old! Sometimes students are too young for private one on one lessons and may be more appropriate for a group music and movement setting. I do suggest starting very young students off with shorter lessons and an instructor who specializes in working with beginner students. We do not have set semesters and required numbers of lessons for students for these very reasons. Not all students' needs and interests fit neatly into semesters and lesson packages. I feel it is best for a student to start lessons when they are ready and interested even if it is in the middle of an academic grading period. Another question I am often asked is how long of a lesson should my student have. I typically recommend a half hour lesson for a beginner student and then increase the lesson time after a student shows signs of readiness. To me signs of readiness include when a student says things like, "But wait I want to show you this!", when a student is still asking more questions that are relevant to the lesson even after the lesson is over or when a student simply does not have enough material to practice throughout the week. In our Frequently Asked Questions section of our website, you can also see our team's recommendations on lengths of lessons. http://www.note-worthyexperiences.com/faqs.html these recommendations are truly recommendations and not set rules for our students. I always suggest discussing increasing lesson lengths with your instructor to weigh the benefits and discuss expectations. I am also always happy to discuss lesson plans, lesson readiness and goals for students at any time. Feel free to reach out to me to chat further. By Renee BordnerStudio director Renee Bordner was honored to be asked to contribute to Comeback Momma's blog. Her article goes over the the benefits of learning music from a young age. Read the full article here.
From the Alfred Music BlogWriting for the Alfred Music Blog, David Pope discusses the challenges presented to students, especially middle and high school students, in the age of instant gratification. He presents tips and strategies for engaging and keeping students motivated to persevere.
Read the entire blog here. By: Kristin McGrailSpanish teacher, wife, mother, and traveler, Kristin McGrail reflects on the universality of the language of music and on how she has used music to help herself and her students to learn foreign languages. Music is universal but also culturally specific and can therefore help in learning about cultures not only through its lyrics and rhythm, but also through its cultural relevance. McGrail discusses the many ways in which music can aid in the classroom as well as in our individual lives as continual learners.
Click here to read Kristin's entire blog. Choosing repertoire for competitions can be tricky, and requires a different criterion than choosing repertoire for auditions and juries/examinations. It is important to first understand the difference the requirements for competitions versus the requirements for auditions and juries. Where juries and auditions are geared towards evaluating the skills and technique or the student, competitions also look for the virtuosity and performance quality of the musician or student. The below article from the Music Lesson Resources website covers everything you need to know about choosing repertoire for competitions. Follow the link below:
http://musiclessonsresource.com/for-students-choosing-repertoire-for-competitions |
Categories
All
Archives
September 2023
|
RSS Feed
About UsNote-worthy Experiences Music Studio LLC, located at 75 Witherell Drive Sudbury, Massachusetts 01776, provides private in-home and online/virtual lessons at the Boston MetroWest. We also provide private lessons at Nashoba Brooks School. Contact Renee Bordner at 978.443.0480 or rbordner@note-worthyexperiences.com.
Not a member of our studio yet? Join our mailing list to receive news and updates! All Copyrights Reserved (c) 2015-2023
|
What Our Students Are SayingOur Privacy Policy |