3. Schedule practice times that will work within or around other important activities, remembering that daily practice is also an important activity. Schedules change; be willing to readjust practice times along with these changes.
4. Create a comfortable place (studio) for practice that is the least intrusive on other family members activities, while allowing for any disturbance the practicing may cause. Show that you care about practicing by being aware of the practice times and reminding your child about them. Don’t use music as leverage to get other chores or responsibilities finished before practicing.
5. Ensure that your child practices daily. Daily practice will ensure reinforcement and further development of skills necessary to good performance. Always be available to listen when your child asks. They want you to be proud of their work and will be more attentive as they go through their practice routine if they know you are willing to listening.
6. Be sure the practice routine assigned by the teacher is followed. This will include scales and exercises, followed by songs. There should be a balance of all three. Children like to play songs, but playing scales and exercises are also very important to their musical development.
7. Be careful not to point out mistakes made during practice, but compliment the good things you may hear. The teacher will correct the mistakes in the lessons. Do not expect perfection in practice and performance of young musicians. It takes a long time to develop as a musician.
8. Music should also be fun, so allow time for experimentation or just playing for fun at times during the practice session. Do not use extra practice time as a punishment for misconduct or inappropriate behavior. Music should always be a privilege, not a punishment.
9. Performing can be a frightening experience. Encourage your child to play solos for friends, relatives, or other small groups. The teacher can help prepare for these occasions. Be careful to plan ahead for the possibility of playing for others. This can be very confrontive for a young musician, and time may be needed to resolve feelings of fear or nervousness.
10. Invite friends, who also play instruments, to come over to perform together. This can be a lot of fun and will encourage your child to practice more in anticipation of these activities.
11. Find a good teacher who understands child and musical development, and is careful in using light, gentle, and positive criticism as well as encouragement and praise when teaching your child.
12. Always show pride and shower praise in public for your child’s talent and progress on their instrument. Your support is the most important factor in your young musician’s success.
13. Always make a special effort to attend the activities. Strive to get them to the concerts, recitals, and other music activities on time. The encouragement and sense of pride your child will feel by your attendance at these performances cannot duplicated by any other activity with which you might try to replace it.
14. Encourage them to take music classes and performance groups at school, church, and in the community. Never insist on them taking other classes instead of music. There are always alternatives to scheduling other classes. Never use low grades or other poor results as leverage against your child for participating in band, choir or other music activities. The merits of music training are much too important to be used as a leverage tool.
15. Take them to concerts that include orchestras, symphonic and jazz bands, ensembles, choirs, and solo recitals. These concerts are offered through the local colleges and universities, as well as the Performing Arts Center.
“I will teach children music, Physics, and Philosophy; but most importantly music, for in the patterns of music are the keys to learning.” -Plato
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