Practice makes perfect, as they say. But, practicing isn’t typically the most fun part of anything. Many of us want to be great immediately without having to work at it. However, as we know, that’s not how it works. We have to practice to continue to get better and maintain our abilities. The same, of course, is true for music education. It takes lots and lots of practice.
But the big question is, how do you help your students practice, especially during the summer time?
It’s best for your students to have a place to practice at home. They need a space that has very little distractions. However, keep in mind, while a mobile device can be a distraction, it can also be beneficial. There are apps on mobile devices that can help with timing and tuning, etc.
Help your students focus more on quality instead of quantity. They don’t necessarily have to practice for hours and hours. There’s only so much focus they can give at any given time. They’re better off practicing while they have the willpower and motivation. Everyone has certain times in the day when their focus is higher. Help your students find the time that best fits them and set aside time for practice during this window.
Suggest to students that they practice the areas they have issues with first. Instead of just starting from the beginning each time, they should try starting where the biggest challenge is. This will help them grow their weak points.
Make your home a place for music. The more your student is immersed in music, the more they will be likely to continue to be inspired by it.
You can also use reward systems to help your students keep up with their practice routines. Help the students set goals and when they reach their goals, give them a reward. You can make this even more fun by creating a wheel they get to spin to win a prize. The wheel can be customized to their age and interests to best fit what they would desire to win.
Keep the music alive in your homes, even over the summer. It can help your students stay interested and avoid getting behind on their music education.