Saturday, December 18, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
How to Help Your Child to Practice at Home
How to Help Your Child at Home Practice
Practice regularly, everyday: seven days a week, no matter how many demands present themselves.
Play the artist’s recording of the music learned. Do this casually, several times a day, without concern for whether the children are listening attentively.
The age of your child will be major factor in your approach to practice. If your child is a preschooler, keep the elements of a game in high priority since learning takes place best when activity is fun.
Let your child have some say about the schedule for the daily practice. Make a chart showing the times that you have both agreed to and post it as a reminder.
Be enthusiastic yourself about the practice time!
Find an interesting practice routine that will cover the tasks to be done. List the assignment for the week and decide in what order they will be practiced. This can be done by using a prepared chart, by drawing lottery cards, or by some other system.
Actively involve your child in determining specifically what is to be learned and how to go about it. Do not tell him what the teacher said – ask him.
Learn how to work in very small steps: one note, two notes, or one measure. Connect one small step to another and rejoice in the progress.
Motivate your child by making a chart, which shows his progress. Be creative!
Learning the notes, fingering and other technicalities is the beginning of study for a musical piece. Only through mastery will it contribute to the building of permanent skills.
Be generous with encouraging remarks, even though a good effort may not have produced successful results. Treat “praise” with caution, avoid verbalizing irritation, and reward your child with your love and appreciation.
As you advance in the repertoire, spend more and more time reviewing and improving the pieces learned.
Once or twice a week, give a home concert for the parent who does not usually supervise the practice sessions. Include bowing and applause.
Sense when a practice session is over. It is more important to return to the instrument with joy and enthusiasm, tomorrow than to force a few extra minutes today.
Please inquire at Music House, Inc 773-761-3770 or email at: musichouse5617@sbcglobal.net
Practice regularly, everyday: seven days a week, no matter how many demands present themselves.
Play the artist’s recording of the music learned. Do this casually, several times a day, without concern for whether the children are listening attentively.
The age of your child will be major factor in your approach to practice. If your child is a preschooler, keep the elements of a game in high priority since learning takes place best when activity is fun.
Let your child have some say about the schedule for the daily practice. Make a chart showing the times that you have both agreed to and post it as a reminder.
Be enthusiastic yourself about the practice time!
Find an interesting practice routine that will cover the tasks to be done. List the assignment for the week and decide in what order they will be practiced. This can be done by using a prepared chart, by drawing lottery cards, or by some other system.
Actively involve your child in determining specifically what is to be learned and how to go about it. Do not tell him what the teacher said – ask him.
Learn how to work in very small steps: one note, two notes, or one measure. Connect one small step to another and rejoice in the progress.
Motivate your child by making a chart, which shows his progress. Be creative!
Learning the notes, fingering and other technicalities is the beginning of study for a musical piece. Only through mastery will it contribute to the building of permanent skills.
Be generous with encouraging remarks, even though a good effort may not have produced successful results. Treat “praise” with caution, avoid verbalizing irritation, and reward your child with your love and appreciation.
As you advance in the repertoire, spend more and more time reviewing and improving the pieces learned.
Once or twice a week, give a home concert for the parent who does not usually supervise the practice sessions. Include bowing and applause.
Sense when a practice session is over. It is more important to return to the instrument with joy and enthusiasm, tomorrow than to force a few extra minutes today.
Please inquire at Music House, Inc 773-761-3770 or email at: musichouse5617@sbcglobal.net
This is the "flip-side" of the article: “How to Help Your Child at Home Practice” This is Part 2. This may seem difficult for many parents but this is important. Parents are invited to observe our classes at school or at Music House. Come and get involved! Richard Trumbo, Director Music House, Inc
How to Help Your Child at His/Her Lesson
Attend lessons regularly and teach your child to watch lessons in progress if he must wait his turn. The best way to do this is to watch the lesson yourself. This indicates to your child that something important is going on, and also gives him a role of good behavior.
When you practice at home, use the same routines and sequences of events that you observe at the lesson. Use the same language and practice the same exercises that the teacher uses. The teacher is watching for signs that these exercises have become easy and natural for the child, so that he will be ready for the next steps in his learning.
Often a child will be appear to be forgetful at his lesson, or do poorly in exercises which he did well at home. Do not become alarmed at this or interference by giving him hints and reminders while he is trying to pay attention to his teacher. The reason he is having difficulty is that he is working with a relatively unfamiliar person. By “helping” too much you will only postpone the day when the relationship between the teacher and the child is an easy and natural one. The child’s attention should be centered on his lesson; his work is with the teacher. You can best help him to focus his attention by not intruding on his work.
If you have your child’s best interest at heart, let him make mistakes, because the lesson is a learning process. He is learning through his errors. He is also learning that it is all right to take a chance and that a mistake is not the end of the world.
If a child makes many mistakes in his lesson, do not scold him but resolve to practice more and better with him before the next lesson. Good practice is always a cure for bad lessons.
Sometimes the teacher will invite the parent to participate. At such times, a complete response is expected, so pay attention to the lesson. All Suzuki teachers, parents, and students know that the parent is needed in each lesson.
Bring a notebook to the lesson and write down the important points as the teacher presents them. Study the notes before practice times. If you do this, the child will make steady progress, and will soon be ready for the next step in his learning.
About younger bothers and sisters at the lesson… they are always welcome to come, to listen and to learn, but this must never be at the expense of the child receiving instruction.
When watching the lesson of other children, show interest in these students, but avoid making comparisons between your child and others. Such comparisons can be unfair to all concerned, especially since you know a great deal about your own child and very little about the backgrounds.
What we offer:
• Lessons on All Instruments
• Kids on Jazz Orchestra
• Rock’ sCool-School of Rock
• Piano
• Voice
• Suzuki Violin
• Call 773/761-1059 or Click music house
How to Help Your Child at His/Her Lesson
Attend lessons regularly and teach your child to watch lessons in progress if he must wait his turn. The best way to do this is to watch the lesson yourself. This indicates to your child that something important is going on, and also gives him a role of good behavior.
When you practice at home, use the same routines and sequences of events that you observe at the lesson. Use the same language and practice the same exercises that the teacher uses. The teacher is watching for signs that these exercises have become easy and natural for the child, so that he will be ready for the next steps in his learning.
Often a child will be appear to be forgetful at his lesson, or do poorly in exercises which he did well at home. Do not become alarmed at this or interference by giving him hints and reminders while he is trying to pay attention to his teacher. The reason he is having difficulty is that he is working with a relatively unfamiliar person. By “helping” too much you will only postpone the day when the relationship between the teacher and the child is an easy and natural one. The child’s attention should be centered on his lesson; his work is with the teacher. You can best help him to focus his attention by not intruding on his work.
If you have your child’s best interest at heart, let him make mistakes, because the lesson is a learning process. He is learning through his errors. He is also learning that it is all right to take a chance and that a mistake is not the end of the world.
If a child makes many mistakes in his lesson, do not scold him but resolve to practice more and better with him before the next lesson. Good practice is always a cure for bad lessons.
Sometimes the teacher will invite the parent to participate. At such times, a complete response is expected, so pay attention to the lesson. All Suzuki teachers, parents, and students know that the parent is needed in each lesson.
Bring a notebook to the lesson and write down the important points as the teacher presents them. Study the notes before practice times. If you do this, the child will make steady progress, and will soon be ready for the next step in his learning.
About younger bothers and sisters at the lesson… they are always welcome to come, to listen and to learn, but this must never be at the expense of the child receiving instruction.
When watching the lesson of other children, show interest in these students, but avoid making comparisons between your child and others. Such comparisons can be unfair to all concerned, especially since you know a great deal about your own child and very little about the backgrounds.
What we offer:
• Lessons on All Instruments
• Kids on Jazz Orchestra
• Rock’ sCool-School of Rock
• Piano
• Voice
• Suzuki Violin
• Call 773/761-1059 or Click music house
Monday, July 12, 2010
You Can't close Your Ears!
You Can Close Your Eyes But You Can’t Close Your Ears!
A good part of my job is reminding students to practice at home and to listen to the reference recordings. I ask students each class if they have practiced and listened to the CD. Often, a student will say that “there was no time”.
There is no doubt that life is hectic. Despite the time limitations that may be presented, one can never allow themselves to use the excuse of “I don’t have the time.”
Sacrifice, creativity, and efficiency are what can help separate you from the pack. Five minutes of daily practice may not be enough to be an accomplished musician but it is a realistic goal. For those days that are truly too busy, try to find time to listen to the reference recording. In the case of Suzuki violin studies, the Suzuki Violin School volumes have reference recordings that accompany the books. When there is no time, I recommend listening to these recordings. Your learning environment can be created anywhere via your iPod, or CD kept in the car CD player. Other reference recordings are audio books. Free mp3’s can be found at LearnOutLoud.com
Above all, be efficient and focused in your pursuit of success. We all have 24 hours each day – take advantage of each one. There are numerous ways to maximize your time. Regardless of what methods you choose, never succumb to the temptation to make excuses for any lack of success you experience.
You can learn music at the same time as performing other activities; just play the CD in the background. Playing music is easy and fun with ear training. Focusing and interpreting sheet music while attempting to play is much more complicated. Your mind (“the ear”) will however, play the music on your “inner hard drive”, hence “You can close your eyes (or look away for an instant) but you can’t close your ears!
Committed to Your Musical Success,
Richard Trumbo,
Director
Music House, Inc
A good part of my job is reminding students to practice at home and to listen to the reference recordings. I ask students each class if they have practiced and listened to the CD. Often, a student will say that “there was no time”.
There is no doubt that life is hectic. Despite the time limitations that may be presented, one can never allow themselves to use the excuse of “I don’t have the time.”
Sacrifice, creativity, and efficiency are what can help separate you from the pack. Five minutes of daily practice may not be enough to be an accomplished musician but it is a realistic goal. For those days that are truly too busy, try to find time to listen to the reference recording. In the case of Suzuki violin studies, the Suzuki Violin School volumes have reference recordings that accompany the books. When there is no time, I recommend listening to these recordings. Your learning environment can be created anywhere via your iPod, or CD kept in the car CD player. Other reference recordings are audio books. Free mp3’s can be found at LearnOutLoud.com
Above all, be efficient and focused in your pursuit of success. We all have 24 hours each day – take advantage of each one. There are numerous ways to maximize your time. Regardless of what methods you choose, never succumb to the temptation to make excuses for any lack of success you experience.
You can learn music at the same time as performing other activities; just play the CD in the background. Playing music is easy and fun with ear training. Focusing and interpreting sheet music while attempting to play is much more complicated. Your mind (“the ear”) will however, play the music on your “inner hard drive”, hence “You can close your eyes (or look away for an instant) but you can’t close your ears!
Committed to Your Musical Success,
Richard Trumbo,
Director
Music House, Inc
My Evolution
At my age and experience it has become necessary to grow and evolve to stay alive and vibrant. Most recently (as of July 6) I am diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. A change of lifestyle is necessary including an exercise program and change of diet. New and better habits will be developed through commitment. I have learned to change habits early in my schooling through developing music practice habits. Music education courses suggesting practice habits have outlined "behavior management" strategies that will help me to create new habits. These new habits will not be difficult because I have family members supporting me. Health is all important and is understood by most people, more so than music theory and practice. I will learn better health practice the same way that I learn and teach, through "small steps".
I believe that Suzuki principles can be used to learn any subject. I listen to business audio seminars and advice from coaches as well as music to reinforce and energize my enthusiasm for my business.
Today, I have started a new campaign as a writer. I have much to do. This is a good start!
Richard Trumbo
I believe that Suzuki principles can be used to learn any subject. I listen to business audio seminars and advice from coaches as well as music to reinforce and energize my enthusiasm for my business.
Today, I have started a new campaign as a writer. I have much to do. This is a good start!
Richard Trumbo
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