Tag Archives: music practice

Does Practice Make Perfect?

“Practice makes perfect and nobody’s perfect, so why practice?” Billie Joe Armstrong – American musician 1972 Does practice make perfect?  Unfortunately, the answer is, “NO!”  Practice makes permanent and only perfect practice makes perfect.  Oh dear, there appears to be … Continue reading

Posted in How to practice, Music practice | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Is music practice fun or tedious?

Time flies when music practice games are fun.  It’s all a matter of focus. Have you ever noticed that when you are happily engaged in an activity, the minutes just fly by.  Before you know it, the children are home … Continue reading

Posted in How to practice, Music practice | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

My Child Won’t Let Me Help With Music Practice

Jack and his mom have turned up for yet another music lesson, without having made any progress on his practice task, which was all about making bow holds together.  Jack is looking sour.  He clearly isn’t in the mood for … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Creating a music practice habit.

“But it’s true – hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice.” Ray Bradbury (author) Would you like to create a music habit for your child – making practice an automatic part … Continue reading

Posted in How to practice | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

3 Reasons Why Some Kids Don’t Like Music Practice

“An hour of practice is worth five hours of foot-dragging.” – Pancho Segura, tennis player, 1921 Most of my friends had music teaching lessons when they were children.  Most of us gave up as soon as we could, because we … Continue reading

Posted in How to practice | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How to Practice your Teaching Point

In all my years of having music lessons, I had never heard of a Teaching Point.  That was until my children started Suzuki lessons. Sometimes, at the end of a music teaching lesson, the teacher would announce,  “Your Teaching Point … Continue reading

Posted in How to practice, music lessons, Music practice | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

13 Ways to Grow Musical Talent

How do you help children to grow musical talent?  Here are some comments on how 13 key points from the Talent Code by Daniel Coyle can be applied to growing musical talent. 1. The elite got that way through many … Continue reading

Posted in How to practice, music lessons, Music practice | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Music Practice Builds a Better Brain.

“Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul, on which they mightily fasten, imparting grace, and making the soul of him who is rightly … Continue reading

Posted in How to practice, music lessons, Music practice | Tagged | Leave a comment

Making Music Practice Fun

“The only way a kid is going to practice is if it’s total fun for him… and it was for me.” Wane Gretzky (professional ice hockey player and former head coach) When I was a child, I had so many … Continue reading

Posted in How to practice, Music practice | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Listen Listen Listen Then Go Practice

Listening to the music you are learning, is a huge practice motivator and an essential part of a good music practice routine.  Children always find it much, much, easier and more fun to learn a piece that they already know, … Continue reading

Posted in How to practice, Music practice | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Music Practice Ideas from Viva Viola Families

I recently came across this record of a parent evening in 2003, when we spent time brainstorming useful ideas and strategies for getting practice done. Find reasons for music practice: Regular daily practice is essential if one wants to enjoy … Continue reading

Posted in How to practice | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Taming the Number One Barrier to Daily Music Practice.

You may know that I am doing the 100 Day Music Practice Challenge. It hasn’t been plain sailing, but recently I have found a simple strategy to remove the barrier to daily music practice. You know that music practice is … Continue reading

Posted in How to practice | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Music Practice. Slow Progress?

When my children were starting music lessons, I found the music practice very tedious.  It was just the same elementary things over and over.  There were times when I wanted to scream with boredom.  My frustration often showed at practice … Continue reading

Posted in How to practice | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Paying Attention During Music Practice.

When my kids were very young, I found it extremely difficult to persuade them to pay attention during music practice.  I wasn’t prepared for the way that small children can switch off and ignore you, when music practice becomes boring, … Continue reading

Posted in How to practice | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Music Practice and Memory Management

Imagine that it’s time for music practice.  You may be wondering if today it’s going to be easy to help your child, or is it already another one of those days?  You know what it’s like.  A lack of interest, … Continue reading

Posted in How to practice | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Music Practice, a Grind or a Game?

When I was a child, my parents gave me a beautiful new guitar for my birthday.  I was thrilled and immediately tried to play it.  I can clearly remember my surprise and disappointment, at the horrible noise it made.  My … Continue reading

Posted in How to practice | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Music Lessons – Getting Your Money’s Worth

Music teaching lessons can be expensive.  How can we make sure that it is a worthwhile investment.  We all know that music teaching lessons can make you brighter because of the workout that music gives the brain.  Hang on a … Continue reading

Posted in music lessons, Music practice | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment