Practicing

This new column will feature a variety of brief tips for Suzuki teachers. To submit your own tip of 150 or fewer words, please email [javascript protected email address] with “Grace Notes” in the subject line.

The following tips were presented during the session “Great Ideas for Your Studio: Mini-Presentations” at the 9th SAA Leadership Retreat in May 2011.

Correct posture is a key element of playing with ease and producing a beautiful tone. At the first lesson, after you have shown the child and parent the best posture, ask them to take a picture of the student during home practice and bring it to…

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Photo by Greenville Suzuki Strings Association

“I love to practice!” That’s what we all want our children to say. Here are some ideas for how parents can get there without resorting to things they wish they hadn’t! These suggestions can keep you motivated so that you can help your children have the best possible musical experience.

Enjoy the process. If you can figure out how to have pleasant practice sessions, you and your children will succeed. This may be the hardest part of the whole pro¬cess, and perhaps the most crucial. Suzuki said that little children should “practice three minutes, five times a day, with joy.” The main goal for practice should be with joy.

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Photo by Suzuki Music Columbus Summer Institute

1. Play it your age.
2. Tape it.
3. Pick an UNO Card.
4. Throw the dice or die.
5. Wear a funny hat.
6. Wear funny glasses.
7. Left foot in the air.
8. Right foot in the air.
9. Eyes on the ceiling.
10. Eyes closed.
11. With toothbrush in mouth.
12. With gloves on.
13. With Kleenex on keys.

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Sage advice from a master. See more videos from Itzhak Perlman on YouTube

Last summer, focus groups at summer Institutes were asked to submit questions for a panel of “Suzuki Experts” to answer. This is the 6th installment, on practicing and psychological development.

What are some ways to make practicing more interesting?

I’m certainly not opposed to finding ways to make practicing more interesting—in fact, in the “Practice Basics” chapter of my book, Helping Parents Practice, Vol. 1, I encourage parents to “Look for Opportunities to Play Games and Have Fun.” The appendix also gives several examples. This question, however, can be a distraction from some of the very real issues that make practicing difficult. In other words, although you can try using air freshener, you’re better off quitting smoking.

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