1) Remembering the upward practice spiral is one way to motivate: more practice leads to better playing, better playing makes the playing more fun, more fun leads to more and easier practice, easier practice leads to better playing, better playing makes playing more fun, more fun leads to more and easier practice, more practice leads to better playing . . . . .
2) These are lots of tips from a number of Suzuki teachers across the country:
This is a piece that aired on NPR about parents and practice
This may be the most helpful of all: a blog post from a mom with some ways to make practicing fresh and exciting
3) Also, lets have a conversation in the comments section - what is working for you at home? What tricks or policies do you find that help things going?
1 comment:
"Take the cello? Are you serious?" "Absolutely!!!"
I've had three Suzuki kids in my house... I think DAILY practicing to be the KEY to motivation, progress (obviously) and enjoyment (really? yes!) in playing musical instruments. No one wants to relearn anything; it is frustrating, annoying, and can seem like a poor use of one's time. But that is exactly what is required with inconsistent practice. This is what we have all heard too many times, yes? AND cellos aren't the easiest instruments to travel with, BUT when in a car and/or when they are the smaller sizes, I highly recommend trying to take the cello when traveling! Yes, a break from the normal routine, is many times the whole point of a vacation or holiday, but if the lapse of memory and the drudgery of re-learning can be avoided by playing some on vacation, your cellist will really appreciate it (though they might not realize it) and an added bonus should be an easier time for the practice partners involved! Practicing requires "work," and anything we can do to lessen the more unpleasant aspects of that "work" will help the feelings of success/satisfaction happen more readily! When visiting relatives (esp. able Grandparents), I've also found that the hosts are more than willing to retrieve (and return) a cello, on loan from a local strings vendor, such that the young family cellist can play for them during their stay. This might all sound like an odd, extreme "practice" but the pay off is great for all.
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