To get the most out of the lessons, we suggest regular practice where possible. If done right, practice can be a fun and rewarding experience with multiple benefits.
Here are just a few of the bonuses of practicing a musical instrument, alongside becoming a more proficient player:
- Increasing memory capacity and coordination
- Positive mental health and a great exercise in concentration, leading to a reduction in stress
- Learning about time management, responsibility and discipline
- Improving reading, mathematics and aural skills
- Creating a sense of achievement
- Adding confidence and long-term aiding in positive stage presence
Now obviously it is the tutor’s job to enthuse the student to want to practice and suggest ways of approaching it throughout the week, however, sometimes parents may need to step in to help structure and monitor the practice, especially if the child is young or needs assistance with self-motivation.
Here are a few ideas of how and when you could approach practicing with your child:
- Most schools of thought are practicing regular times each day – for example, the same 10 minutes before they leave for school / when they get back from school after a snack / before they watch TV in the evening
- Some students practice during the adverts when watching a film – any Harry Potter movie on TV would give you nearly half an hour’s practice!
- Structure and goal setting – Making sure your child knows what to practice and how long to spend on each section
- Reward system – This doesn’t work for everyone, but some children respond well to sticker charts, great to show their tutor next week how many times they practiced!
- Rewatching the lesson – SAM students are lucky enough to be able to stream or download their lesson which will greatly help digest the information taught that week
- Make sure the instrument is in tune! This will make the whole practicing experience more enjoyable for the student and anyone listening!
- Read the lesson reports! Their tutor will write what was covered and what needs to be practiced – this will greatly help with structuring their practice.
- Have the instrument out and ready to go! A guitar in its case, under the bed, will not get practiced as much as one that’s out all the time to be able to be picked up and strummed freely. Likewise, printing off the lesson resources and having them available is encouraged – some people even like to stick them up in a bedroom or on the fridge!
- Attend the lesson if possible, feel free to be in the background, however, try be involved in the lessons, especially for young children. This will really help you understand what is required. If not you can always rewatch the lesson recording.
- Try to avoid making practice a chore – if possible keep it light and casual and show an interest which comes from having an involvement in the lessons or the recordings themselves.
- Celebrate achievements – encouraging performance to a friend or relative, however small the accomplishment, this will go a long way and in turn make them want to progress quicker.
FAQs:
- Q: How long should they be practicing for?
A: At the beginning, there may not be too much to practice, so 5-10 minutes a few times a week would be enough. As students have more lessons and certainly for older students, 10-30 minutes a few times a week is advised. The standard statement would be little and often – however if they only have access to a piano once a week then this of course is still better than nothing. - Q: I don’t play an instrument – what should they be practicing?
A: This will be documented in the lesson report, plus you can also rewatch the lesson recording and speak to the tutor at the end of the lesson which we strongly advise! Typically, it would be a warmup of some sort (scales / rudiments) then whatever pieces they are playing (free-choice / grades or bookwork) and any technical exercises being covered. - Q: Do they need the book that the tutor is using?
A: Absolutely yes! Having the book at home will really help during the lesson and especially for practice. The tutor should link the name of the book or even a purchase link within the lesson report. Always feel free to speak to your tutor about this or reach out to the SAM team. - Q: My child loves the lessons but just won’t practice, is it worth continuing?
A: Certainly yes, historically we have seen students go through phases, typically the approach to practicing can be the issue (hopefully this blog will help with that) – it can also be the content of music they are learning or many other factors such as the time of day they are practicing etc. The important thing is they are enjoying their time with the tutor and soon enough they will want to play in between the lessons, sometimes with a little nudge from a parent! - Q: I’ve read the report and watched the recording but I still have a question about practice, can I contact the tutor?
A: We will happily contact the tutor for you with any questions regarding practice, simply contact the SAM team and we will liaise on your behalf.
This blog will constantly be updated so feel free to check back at a later date, thank you for reading this and showing an interest in your child’s musical journey!
Ben Stringer – MD
