Parents play a crucial role in helping
their children learn to practice violin. The parent's role is arguably just as
important as the teacher's role in the child's learning process. While the
teacher only sees student one day a week, we cannot forget that parents have the ability to oversee
what goes on during the other six days.
This article is aimed at parents
of beginning violin students. However, players of all levels will be able to glean
information from this.
- Parents should take detailed notes during the child's violin lesson.
While it may be tempting to text, read or
zone out, it is important for parents and children to be engaged during the
lesson in order to have a better idea of how to practice violin during the
week. Take notes on the materials covered during the lesson and write down
aspects your child needs to focus on during practice. Bring a notebook to the
violin lesson each week. A video camera or tape recorder would be valuable as
well.
- Don't be afraid to ask the teacher questions during the lesson or even during the week if necessary.
For beginner students, much of the lesson
time will be focused on posture, violin set-up, and bow hold. It may be helpful
to spend time learning how to hold the violin and bow. That way you'll be able
to help your child during practice.
- Create structure in the child's practice schedule.
Children wake up at the same time to go to
school each day. And mealtimes are roughly the same time each day. Try to
practice violin the same time every day. This gives the child the sense that
"this is violin time."
- Keep a practice notebook or violin practice chart.
Record the number of days your child has
practiced, how long, what materials you covered and which areas need continued
work. You can even offer your children rewards when they have practiced well.
- Start each violin practice session with concrete goals.
What do you and your child want to
accomplish in this practice session and how long will it take? Practice goals
can range from "remember to keep the pinky curved" to "be able
to play this passage in tempo."
- At the same time, don't be afraid to be flexible.
While structure is important, don't be able
to shift gears or to get creative. If one method isn't working, try another.
For example, if "watermelon watermelon" isn't helping your child
learn sixteenth notes, try another mnemonic device such as "peanut butter
peanut butter."
- Strike a balance between being kind but firm.
Overpraising children can cause them to
overlook mistakes or to develop practice habits. On the other hand, being
excessively strict and admonishing can cause a child to lose interest in
practice or even in Music as a whole. Find a middle ground. Start with telling
you child something positive such as "I
love how you held a beautifully curved pinkie throughout the whole song.” Then make the correction: "It would be even better if you
remember not to let your bow slide to the fingerboard.” If parents can find that balance between
structure and flexibility, meticulous attention and positive reinforcement,
then the process of violin practice will be productive and rewarding.
