Five Steps to Better Practicing, Part Four

Previously, we've discussed:

1. Effective Communication

2. Practice Record

3. Incentives

This leads us to the next step:

4. Consistent Reminders

Whatever your plan for motivating your student, follow up with it consistently. Review the practcie record at every lesson. Be prepared to award the incentive you have chosen. Communicate with parents, especially if the student is not practicing enough. Work with them to encourage more practice.

Five Steps to Better Practicing, Part Three

3. Incentives

Everyone likes rewards. Not only do we enjoy receiving whatever gift has been deemed appropriate, but we also like the recognition for a job well done. Rewards can be an incentive to do your best.

This concept works well with music students. Anticipating a reward at the next lesson will motivate students to practice more during the week. Practice time can be recorded and tracked in the lesson assignment book. Use a sticker to mark each week in which the student has practiced the required amount of time. Younger students will enjoy picking out the stickers themselves. For them, this is part of the treat!

What kind of rewards are appropriate for music students? After 6 stickers have accumulated, offer a selection of small gifts for the student to choose from, such as musical pencils or music note lollipops. It is a good idea to offer at least one non-food item and be cautious of food allergies and diet restrictions.

After 12 stickers have accumulated, offer a choice of slightly more expensive prizes, like music-themed magnets or whistle pops. Students could choose between one prize from "Group Two" or two prizes from the original prize group (Group One).

There could be up to six different prize levels - after 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 18 weeks, 24 weeks, 30 weeks, and 36 weeks - but, ultimately, the frequency of prizes is up to you. Other prizes to consider are composer statuettes, stationery, music-themed socks or hats, or even a music book.

Try using practice incentives today. You'll be amazed at the difference it makes in motivating your students to practice.

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.

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

Improve Your Piano Skills

Have you ever asked yourself any of the following questions?


*How do I find time to practice?
*How can I get better at playing in different keys?
*How do I decide/recognize what the left hand chords are in a piece of music?
*How can I play and read sheet music faster?
*How do I decide on proper fingering?

The answer to these and many other piano playing questions can now be yours.
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