Five Steps to Better Practicing, Part Two

2. Keep Track of Practicing with a Practice Record.

Once you have communicated the need for practice to your students and their parents, you will need to hold them accountable with a practice record. There are many different practice records from which to choose. The most basic component is a list of the days of the week with a blank or box next to each day where the student may record practice time. Most practice records also include room to write down assignments and some even include a few blank staves. The practice records serves as a journal that confirms the amount of practice. For children, I usually require a parent's signature to verify the times stated.


What incentive does a child have to use the practice record? More about that next week.

Five Steps to Better Practicing

We are halfway through the Fall Semester and this year's practice habits have been formed. Do your students need improvement in this area? Perhaps you can find help with this tried and proven Five Steps to Better Practicing.

1. Communicate your expectations to the student and his/her parents from the beginning.

Many people, especially children, do not realize how much practice is required for learning to play an instrument. They watch professionals, or other well-trained musicians, who have the ability to learn new music with ease and think that playing an instrument looks easy. No one sees the hours and hours of practice that goes into a professional-sounding performance or the years of hard work that builds musical skill.

Tell your students at the first lesson how many minutes per week they will be expected to practice. In fact, tell them when you are scheduling the first lesson. Break it down into minutes per day. For example, 30 minutes per day for six days each week.

Consistent Communication is the first key to building better practice routines.

Find a Music Teacher

How do music teachers and music students find each other? One way is through "Find a Music Teacher" at The Music N More Store.

"Find a Music Teacher" is a nation-wide database that allows music teachers to register their contact information and profile for a small fee. Students search for teachers by location, instrument and other pertinent details. Students view teacher profiles and contact the teacher of their choice. Everyone wins! Try "Find a Music Teacher" today.

Camp Jam Rock Solid Series

Imagine an instructional setting that actually teaches you how to play in a band! Private lessons are a great start, but learning to play in any ensemble is a valuable tool that can't be acquired through private lessons alone. Camp Jam, an innovative teaching collaboration for rock musicians, has found a niche in teaching guitar, bass, and keyboard players, as well as drummers tricks of the rock band trade.

And, for those who don't live near one of their sixteen different locations, Camp Jam comes to you with their Camp Jam Rock Solid series. Available for Bass, Guitar, Keyboard, and Drums, these books were designed by renowned musicians to prepare instrumentalists with varying levels of skill to play in band settings. Each book includes a CD and all are currently on sale at The Music N More Store (MJ Sheet Music's new online catalog). Order yours today!

Revised Edition of Adult Piano Adventures Book 1 Now Available!

The revised edition of Adult Piano Adventures Book 1 has recently become available. As always, lessons, technique, solos, and theory are included in one book for convenience. Music used in Adult Piano Adventures was chosen specifically to appeal to adult beginners. New skills are learned through the "3-Minute Technique" pages, while "Music Theory" pages help the student gain an understanding of rhythm and harmony.

This new volume is available as a book only and is still offered at the same price of $15.95. For a limited time only, Book 1 may be purchase from MJ Sheet Music for only $14.36. A revised version of Book 2 will be coming soon. Meanwhile, the original Adult Piano Adventures Book 2 with CD is still available.

How to Become a Wedding Musician, Part 2

How To Become a Wedding Musician

Part 2: Selecting the Music

Every wedding is different and, while there are some standards common to most weddings, each wedding will have its own unique variation of the order of service. Read more to learn about the main components found in most weddings and which classical pieces to play.

How to Become a Wedding Musician, Part 1

How to Become a Wedding Musician
Part 1: Initial Meeting

Providing music for weddings can be an income supplement or a favor for friends. Weddings are, not only a lucrative business, but also the ultimate special occasion. Every bride wants perfection and a successful musician will prepare wisely.

As soon as you have been recruited or hired to play, schedule a meeting with the bride. The groom, bride’s mother, and wedding coordinator should also be invited if available. read more

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