Society tells us that practice makes perfect. While this sentiment has good intentions, it is untrue. No human performance is perfect, and that imperfection is part of what makes music so fascinating to study. Some students are perfectionists, and that drive can help them or hold them back.

We all strive for flawless technique and stellar performances. These things do not appear overnight, though. Good practice habits make learning more enjoyable and rewarding, and they help performances go well.

Create a Safe and Predictable Environment

Great practice begins with a good environment. Choose an area away from noise, television or computer screens, and other distractions. A distracting space makes practice much harder, for children and grown-ups alike. If this space is for your child, decorate it so that it feels safe and comfortable.

Remove Distractions

Silence cell phones, remove any devices that might ring or flash in the middle of a practice session, and try to keep pets, brothers, and sisters at a friendly distance. Practicing an instrument takes focus, steady work, and small goals, and those are good habits for a child to have.

Establish a Routine

When creating a practice routine for your child, aim for a time of day when they are alert, comfortable, and playful. In our experience, young children do their best work when practice feels like play. Pushing a child through practice may work for a while, but what keeps most children going is a growing love of music and of their own violin.

Many parents believe one long practice is the key. Short, focused practices spread through the day and the week usually work better. The publisher of the Suzuki books suggests that young children, whose attention spans are short, have several brief practices a day instead of one long one. In a 2012 study, musicians learning a short keyboard passage became more accurate at their second session only when the sessions were a day apart. Please do not push your child to practice longer than their attention can last! Mixing games into practice, as fun new ways to approach a new song, can help your child a great deal.

Set Achievable Goals

Rome wasn't built in a day. You don't learn to play the violin in a day, either. Consistent practice across many days, weeks, and years builds, step by step, the skills it takes to play the violin at a professional level.

With this in mind, break practice goals into smaller pieces, especially for young children who are just beginning to play. Celebrate the small successes, and let your child experience their natural growth along the way. Set short-term goals for the day or week, and long-term goals for the month or the season. We recommend recording your child often and letting them watch the recordings after they have felt success. Seeing how far they have come through steady practice builds their confidence.

Warming Up

A warm-up is a short routine before you play your pieces or learn new music, to get your body and mind ready to play. Simple warm-ups for beginners include one-octave scales and arpeggios, string crossings, and bowing.

Dealing with Frustration

It can be frustrating to work diligently on a difficult passage in a song. It is important to take breaks during practice sessions and to remain positive while dealing with challenges. Remember, incremental progress (even if your child has only learned one new note in a passage) is still a success. Use recordings to help bolster confidence and understanding of the learning process. A positive mindset goes a long way when facing challenges.

Do you have practice tips or stories you would like to share? Email us at contact@triadsuzuki.com.

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