Practice involves alot of repetition and review, which runs the risk of becoming slightly monotonous. So, it is up to both teacher and parent to keep trying different methods for encouraging children to practice. Here are some charts to help keep practice going every day...
Many of us believe that 'practice makes perfect' but the truth is that practice makes consistent. Bad practice will make you an expert at playing something badly!
Productive Practice:
1. Warm-up.Each practice session should begin with a bowing /posture exercise, a scale or twinkle variation.
2. Practice with Purpose.Have one or more specific goals each time you practice. Decide....do you want to polish a piece? Slowly learn part of a new piece, play with heightened musicality, or fix some problem spots?"
3. Find the Problem spots. Play the notes of a problem spot very slowly, one note at a time, until you are playing with the proper rhythm, fingering, and notes. Repeat that small section correctly a number of times, gradually picking up speed until that segment of music is up to tempo.
4. Fun time. At the end of each practice session, it is fun to relax, and enjoy playing straight through the piece. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment hearing changes you’ve made through all that slow practice.
Perform the piece to someone and remember to bow at the end!
