20 Practice Tips – For Parent And Child

 

Here are practice tips for you and your little one!  Helping your child practice their musical instrument can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for both you and them.
Learning music is a great opportunity to spend time together and help them love music even more. As you go through your musical adventure, you can make it even better by cheering them on for their small victories and accomplishments.

 

Here are 20 ways you can support your child on their musical journey.

Recommended practice tips…

 

 

Practice Routine and Environment:

1. Create a Consistent Schedule:
Create a regular practice routine, ideally at the same time every day. Consistency is key to progress.

2. Dedicated Practice Space:
Set up a comfortable and quiet area where you and your child can focus on their instrument without distractions.

3. Use a Timer:
Set up a timer for each practice session to help your child stay focused and make the most of their time. There are some really cool apps out there with animal sounds or explosions when the timer ends.

Goal Setting and Motivation:

4. Set Realistic Goals:
Break down larger musical pieces into smaller, manageable goals. For example: working on just the  1st bar or two.  You should be able to repeat 4x before moving onto the 3rd bar.  One you have the 3rd bar, try combing bars 1, 2 and 3.  Celebrate achievements to boost motivation.

5. Offer Positive Reinforcement:
Keep it positive! Praise your child’s efforts and improvements. Positive reinforcement can foster a love for music and learning. If you’re not excited about the learning process…..they may mimic what you feel.

6. Be Patient:
Learning an instrument takes time. Being patient and understanding, especially during challenging periods, is key!

7. Set Up a Reward System: 🎉
Establish a reward system to motivate your child. It could be stickers, a special treat, ice cream date, or extra playtime. 👍

 

Involvement and Support:

8. Listen Actively:
Pay attention when your child practices and offer constructive feedback. Show genuine interest in their progress.

9. Join In!:
It’s fun! If you play an instrument, or want to learn, join your child in a duet or practice together. It can be a fun bonding experience.

10. Encourage Daily Practice:
Short, regular practice sessions are often more effective than sporadic, long ones. Aim for daily practice.  Consistency is key!

11. Attend Their Lessons:
Sit in! Attend your child’s music lessons to better understand their challenges and progress.  Get tips and advice from their music teacher.

12. Connect with Other Musicians:
Encourage your child to play with other musicians, whether through school ensembles, rock bands or groups, or online platforms.

Diversifying Practice:

13. Use Technology:
Explore music apps, metronome apps, or online resources that can make practicing more engaging.

14. Introduce Variety:
Mix up the practice routine with different exercises, genres, or musical styles to keep things interesting, (ask your teacher for help and advice).

15. Attend Concerts:
Attend live music performances or concerts to inspire your child and expose them to different aspects of music.  Enroll your little one in music recitals!

16. Record and Review:
Record your child’s practice sessions occasionally. Reviewing recordings together can provide valuable insights on how far they’ve progressed. Share their progress with Grandma and Grandpa or friends and family!

Education and Instrument Care:

17. Learn the Basics:
Familiarize yourself with the basics of your child’s instrument. This knowledge can help you provide more specific guidance.

18. Encourage Creativity:
Allow your child to experiment with their instrument and explore their creativity. This can enhance their musical expression.

19. Provide the Right Tools:
Ensure your child’s instrument is good sounding and well-maintained.  Have the necessary accessories, like sheet music, a tuner, music stand, foot stool, spare strings…etc.

20. Celebrate Milestones:
It sounds redundant, but…..Acknowledge and celebrate important milestones, such as mastering a difficult piece or reaching a specific practice goal.

 

Remember the important thing is to always make learning fun and rewarding for your child. If the child picks up on the fact that you are not having fun, they WILL copy that.
Change these ideas to fit what your child likes and needs are. What do they enjoy?  Ensure learning becomes something they look forward to, (not just music, but all aspects of learning). Talk to your child and find out what they like, making learning special and just right for them.