How to Help Your Child Practice a New Instrument

Learning how to play an instrument is a common important step in the education of many children, and it can turn into a fun, lifelong skill. After you choose the right instrument for your child, it’s time to start practicing. Unlike teaching traditional subjects though, many parents don’t know how to assist their child, especially if they have never played the same instrument personally. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t be helpful. Follow these practical tips to help your child be successful and accountable as he or she begins practicing a new instrument.

Time
While regularity of practice is important, the quality of the practice is the true determining factor in a musician’s rate of improvement. In fact, 15 minutes of focused and correct practice is more effective than 30-40 minutes of poor practice.

Environment
Much like studying, practicing an instrument is a mental process. Keep your child’s practice area quiet and free of distractions. Make sure siblings, especially, understand that practice time should not be disturbed.

Sounds You Should Hear
* Clapping and counting: By clapping rhythms that are new or tricky and counting out loud before they play, students increase their level of success, as well as their ability to read rhythms accurately the first time they see them.

* A metronome: Lots of free metronome apps are available and can help your child keep a steady beat.

* Note-naming: Reading music is a little like learning a new language. Students should practice the finger positions on their instrument while saying the notes out loud.

* Fundamental sounds: It’s exciting to hear the big sound of the full instrument, but students should also work on their sound from just the mouthpiece or head joint. This sound ensures your child is learning how to blow properly and create a steady sound and improved tone.

Sounds You Shouldn’t Hear
* Clowning around: An instrument is not an expensive toy. It’s okay to try new things out of natural curiosity, but beginners should take their lessons seriously, rather than say, simply trying to create the most obnoxious sound in the world. That might just happen anyway!

* The same song for weeks in a row: It’s great when students masters a song, but they also need to be challenged to play new and more advanced songs.

* Only songs: Scales and warm-up exercises do serve a key purpose.

* Silence: This seems obvious, but there is value in some practice that does not involve playing, such as practicing fingerings, but that shouldn’t consume the entire practice time.

3 Easy Ways You Can Help
1. Create a consistent practice time. Most children thrive on routine. You should also be home to hear them practice and hold them accountable.

2. Encourage performances. Even a one-on-one performance gives you a chance to point out and praise their growth and improvement.

3. Ask questions. Be sure to show them you are excited for what they are learning and maybe even let them teach you a few things!

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