PRACTICE TIPS

Practice Suggestions

• Enthusiasm: share your genuine enthusiasm about what your student is playing. Ex: 

  • "I can't get your song out of my head; I love it so much."

  • "The section where you (get quiet/loud, play fast/slow, -hum a part-) is my favorite." 

  • "I love the pieces you are playing."

• Listening: play recordings of assigned music so they can become familiar with the arrangement. This can be done anywhere at any time. 

• Requests: ask your student to play for you. Ex:

  • "I could use a pick-me-up: could you play your piece for me?" 

  • "I want to hear your piece! Will you play it one more time?" 

  • "I will set the table while you play your piece for me. I can't think of anything else I'd like to listen to more."

  • "Will you serenade us while we finish our dinner?" 

• After: really let them know how much you love hearing them play. 

• Reflect connection: 

  • "I can tell that you are connecting to your music, and that is so cool!" 

  • "I can see how much you are enjoying this section- it's my favorite!"

  • "You really light up when you play."

• Foundational considerations: Keep the binder at the piano and open to the assigned piece, keep the piano open, inviting, and unobstructed, and have a pencil handy. Consider keeping your piano in a communal space, if it isn't there already. We have an 8th piano upstairs in the heart of our home. If you are concerned about bench height or position, please send me a picture of your student and we can adjust. 

• Performance opportunities: If you have a friend or family member over and you think your student would perform, encourage them to do so. Afterwards, give your student lots of positive feedback. Avoid playing for critical family/friends.