Forte School of Music Mt Waverley

PRACTICE TIPS & GETTING INSPIRED FOR PRACTICE

How parents can be involved-changing your role to be a cheerleader not a second teacher at home!

 A great tip for parents - try sitting together with your child for as short as 5 minutes in your regular practice sessions and get your child to show you what he/she knows - with no pressure and listen out for the pieces! And respond to them when your child practises!  Even just 2 or 3 short supervised practice sessions each week can make a huge difference and build a longer term practice routine that works for you and your child. Children will love showing you what they have learnt. 

 

They need:

  • encouragement
  • routine
  • a cheerleader who sits with them during practice or at least be in the vicinity of the practice room who claps after a good run or give them encouraging feedback (even though it is not perfect)

  • a nice environment where parents can support -without instructing!

     

Remember, children just want to be seen and loved. Hence spare them some time and notice their progress and celebrate no matter how small the progress is! They will become more confident learners and make better progress!

 

Another good tip to motivate practice at home is to encourage your child to listen to or watch performances -live (in person) or digital- live streamed or digitally streamed.

Last month, I really enjoyed watching "the PIANO" series- a heartwarming series which debut on the ABC i view showcasing selected amateur pianists at pop up pianos across Melbourne and Sydney. The participants were not told they were being watched by two superstar musicians - jazz pianist and singer Harry Connick Jnr and Andrea Lam-a well regarded Australian concert pianist.  The series is in conjunction with the celebration of the piano as being the conduit of music for centuries connecting the community. 

The way music can create refuge and fill voids as long is at the heart of their story for each of the  amateur pianists from as young as aged 5+  and as old as 100yo+ from all walks of life  performing very courageously and impressively various musical genres. 

Here is the link to the series here.  Following the conclusion of the Piano series, a live concert was put up -"Classic 100 Piano " was held at Hamer Hall. Here is the link if you like to watch the concert! Enjoy!