One of the greatest assets that a student musician has is a parent or guardian who is as interested in the student’s success as the student is. Work with your son or daughter to build a positive and consistent practice routine. The student will know what do when he or she sits down to practice. All you need to do is make sure that they get there! Patience, Encouragement, Imagination, and Common Sense will help you to help your child do their best.
Patience is repeatedly reminding your child to do their daily practice. Our expectation is 150 minutes per week. Students have a practice record which must be signed and turned in each week at sectionals. It is not unusual for your child to experience "slumps" in their practice routine. All of us have experienced times when we lack the self-discipline to do the things that need to be done. We need to be patient with ourselves and try to get back on track.
Encouragement when the going gets rough. In music, as in life, some things are learned easily, while others require intensive and repeated application. Parental understanding is critical.
"Imagination is more important that knowledge," said Albert Einstein. Knowledge is just the transfer of information, but imagination crates things that had no prior existence. Be imaginative in creating a musical atmosphere in your home. Tune in to interesting musical programs on the stereo and TV, invite friends who play instruments into your home, have students perform for you, have them record themselves, in short, make your home a haven for the arts.
Common Sense is often not so common. Avoid undue stress. A balanced schedule of interests into which music and its practice fits as a natural element will pay big personal dividends.
|
