The Importance of an Excellent Playing Position
Is your child maintaining a proper playing position when practicing? How a student sits, stands, and holds their instrument is as important to technique as practicing scales and tone. This because it forms the physical foundation upon which all healthy playing habits...
5 Fun Music Literacy Activities
Learning to read music is hard work, but it can also be so much fun! Try these creative, hands-on games at home to spice up the way you practice note reading. 1. "I Spy" Notes & Symbols “I spy with my little eye... a quarter note, a crescendo, a barline,...
Does Your Child Say “NO” to Practice?
Do you have a reluctant child, a child that says NO, or simply won't practice when asked? Here are some ideas: 1) Ask, "What time do you want to practice?" Ask before they go to school or do virtual school at homewhen they would like to practice that day. Then write...
Practice Over the Holidays
Practice over the holidays can be difficult, especially when it feels like the busiest time of the year. While practicing keeps your child progressing, fostering a desire to continue to make music and find joy in making music is far more important than maintaining a...
Constructing Positive Feedback
As teachers and practice parents it is important to express constructive positive feedback to our students. Suzuki cello teacher, Alex Revoal, recommends considering the following steps in order to craft effective and supporting feedback: 1. Be specific - Instead of a...
Artsy Music Activities for Kids!
1. Musical Jewelry Make your favorite song into a necklace (or bracelet)! Letter beads work great for notes and blank beads can be used for rests. This activity is wonderful for learning a new song and memorizing because the music is always with you! 2. Painting...
The Art of Practicing
The art of practicing is an art in itself. Lets explore a creative way that we can use rhythm. Lets broaden our creative energies. Clapping Rhythms: A parent can do the rhythm chosen, then sister or brother, then our amazing student. Do in any desired order. Use...
Musical Stocking Stuffers
Bring more music into the holiday season with these lesson toys and tricks! The following items are perfect for stuffing stuffers, and would enable your child to enjoy their virtual lessons at a whole new level. Suzuki Repertoire Song Cards Available for multiple...
Eleven Books to Read about Music
When I was a child, my siblings and I were obsessed with an interactive book on famous composers. Books can open up the worlds of our favorite music and composers. Below, I recommend eleven books about music for your children to cozy up with as the days grow colder....
5 Cool Ways to Practice!
1. Make a Musical Board Game Think Monopoly, Chutes & Ladders, or Candy Land! Make your own board and laminate it. Each week, write your practice items, review songs, and scales on the board. Find dice and some game pieces and play together as a family! Keep it...