Set aside a specific time to practice each day.  Practice can be as little as 10 minutes and still be beneficial.  Consistency in your practice will give you the greatest results.  Remember, your child practices sports, dancing or gymnastics on a regular basis.  Practicing an instrument takes the same diligence.  

 

Make a practice chart.  Incentives for success should be for both quality and quantity of practice. Sitting in a room with a violin watching TV is not practice.  Listen to your child. Be active in his or her practicing.  Make sure your child is working on the correct assignments and be enthusiastic when you see their progress.  Just as you would cheer for your child at a sporting event, cheer for their progress in the arts.  Be sure to practice the weekly assignment rather than just fooling around with pieces you already know or partially know.  Progress takes discipline and patience.

 

Practice smart.  Spend more time on music that you struggle with than that you play well.  Break up difficult music into small sections, sometimes as small as just a few notes.  Play at slower tempos and then build up speed.  Record each practice section and set goals for the student's progress.

 

Encourage your kids to perform as much as possible.  Invite family or friends over for weekend dinners and ask if your child would like to demonstrate their latest piece.  They may want to enter the school talent show or take their violin to school for "show and tell".  Performing helps to keep students progressing musically.

 

A music education helps students succeed in school, in life and in society.  Music helps in developing intelligence.  A music education helps with self esteem, problem solving skills and motivation.  All my students learn to read music notation and rhythms, and they will have a working knowledge of theory.  Students are exposed to musical styles from the Baroque period to modern day songs.  My students learn a large range of string technique.  Students will have fun playing musical games, using flashcards and other tools to aid in learning.