Why Kids Won't Practice - Part 2

#6 - Your child may feel overwhelmed
When students show up to lesson late and/or unprepared they may become overwhelmed. Always be honest with your teacher as to how the practice week went so they can accurately judge what needs to be assigned for next week and what needs to be communicated more clearly. Showing up late for lessons and classes creates a panic upon entering class and it can become exhausting to constantly hear teacher say they need to be on time. It's not nice for anyone to start lesson off with a lecture. Come to lesson prepared as a parent and student team to declare to teacher how the practice week went. Never blame one another. The Suzuki triangle (parent, student and teacher) is critical for providing a safe learning environment for children.

Manhesset has released coloured stands! I'm on a hunt for a red one. 
What a cool Christmas gift!

#7 - Lack of communication and responsibility on the parent's end
When parent and teacher are not on the same page, it's the child that suffers. If you need something from teacher that you are not getting (clearer instructions, notes, motivational ideas, practice tips and ideas) please speak up! Tell teacher what you need, don't assume that we can read your mind! If things are hectic at home, maybe there is a death in the family or a new baby, you're renovating your home or preparing for a move, tell your teacher! If your teacher understands the lifestyle changes happening at home, they can make adjustments and understand better as to why there may be changes in progress.

Yorkville Violin Stand:On Sale for $24.99!

#8 - There is no set practice routine
Everyone is busy. Everyone has their own routine and lifestyle and what works for one family will not necessarily work for another. Regardless, every family is capable of and needs to set a practice routine. Maybe its first thing in the morning or right after school. It could be attached to an activity like right after school, right after dinner or before snack time. Whatever your routine, keep it consistent. Never skip a day because it is too busy. You are never too busy to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star thinking about a strong bent thumb or tall violin for example. One minute of playing is always better then no playing at all and it shows your child that practice is something that you value and is important enough never to skip.

#9 - Negativity makes practice harder

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Practice time needs to be a safe place where mistakes are okay. Never yell, scream, nag, bribe or use practice as a punishment. Any negative association to practice will make it that much harder to initiate. Give lots of positive feedback and praise when it's really deserved. Keep following this series, make adjustments where you deem appropriate, and you may find that any negativity there once was has lessened or even vanished.

#10 - There is no set practice space
Practice can be almost impossible if it isn't free from distraction. Creating a set practice space also shows that you value this activity and that it is a safe place for the two of you to learn together. Keep all supplies organized and easily accessible. The more convenient the space the more productive you will be (have a stand to keep books, a binder for notes, pencils, a cd player for active listening, a chromatic tuner to check tuning and even invest in a violin stand. No more unpacking your instrument when you want to play!)

Violin Tricks and Group Class Assignment!

Below is not the video I originally showed the summer fiddle class (because I couldn't find it!), but showcases a variety of fiddle tricks and tunes we spoke about in class. Play on a friends violin, dance and play, turn your violin upside down and play (and dance!), play your violin like a cello, pizzicato all your pieces, play with violin arm wrapped under leg, play two violins at once! Check out lots more videos featuring Everything Fitz on youtube. 

Listening is one of the greatest forms of inspiration and motivation we can hope to find. From listening to advanced music in group class to hearing Itzhak Perlman play anything with ease, or maybe it's seeing someone step dance and fiddle at the same time or playing with an orchestra. Listening to our Suzuki CD's is also motivation as we challenge ourselves to play pieces up to speed and strive to produce beautiful tone.

Remember your group class assignment this week: bring into class a performer, style, instrument or group you listened to. Everyone will be asked to write down what they listened to and may be asked to share with the group. Listen to anything! Listen to everything! Start to decide what you like, what you don't like and what you love! 

Acknowledging our Strengths and Weaknesses to Build Confidence

My cat is currently at the kitchen window yelling and batting at the snowflakes through the glass. I'm not sure anyone is excited to see the snow this year!

I'm finding inspiration today from a short article by a clinical psychologist from the September issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

In lessons I continuously praise students on what they have done well and I try to point out things that are now easy that were once hard. I also always find something new to work on, a skill to make better, or a new challenge to work toward. After all, learning never ends!

The combination of being able to talk about our strengths and weaknesses and to accept praise and criticism is essential to a child's confidence building.

First of all, we must accept all children for who they are. We must never compare them to other children. Everyone has their own unique combination of strengths and weaknesses. As parents and teachers we must make it very clear that perfectionism is not the main goal. It's about accepting challenges, trying our best, and through our determination, things that were once hard become easier. We continue to grow and change.

Be aware of labels that sneak into our everyday talk. This can be tough! Always explaining how shy your child is or strong willed or even hard working, etc. can cause a permanent label on your child. Instead, continue to encourage behaviours and skills that seem to be outside of your child's comfort zone and challenge other behaviours and skills that they could strengthen and master further.

Children are never just one thing. They have so many layers to continue to build upon. A great thing that the Suzuki method offers is high expectations. We do not allow a child who is struggling to play twinkle up to speed to only play twinkle with other kids at his/her level. We put that child in a class with varying ages and levels and give them a chance to push themselves without pressure to build the skill of playing twinkle up to speed. Without the chance to try it, the skill will never happen. Every child deserves the chance to meet high expectations especially if the journey and learning environment is done so with love and caring.

How many times do we make a mistake at home and get down on ourselves explaining how stupid we are and how we should have known better? Even though we may think it and feel it, don't put yourself down in front on your child! This is tough too! But if we don't want our children to put themselves down, we must first set the example. Instead, admit how you messed up and explain how you will do better next time.

Last but not least, talk to your children and do this from the start and always. Talk not just about the ins and outs of everyday, but how things made them feel and tell them how things made you feel about the day. If we can talk about the things going on inside us with the people we care about, its not only a really great FREE form of therapy, but it can strengthen your bond with your child and boost both your confidence.

Thanks BHG for a great simple article!

What you need to "Let It Go" & Book 10 Mozart

Here is the basic sheet music for the Let it Go chorus. The verse and pre-chorus parts will be assigned in lesson for those interested and a small percussion section will be arranged in group class. I'm not looking for perfection, but I do expect everyone to have fun with this ensemble! Let's see what we can accomplish and put together in the next 4 weeks!

Don't worry too much on how the rhythm is written out. Focus on playing it how you would sing the words, trying to follow the notes written. Have fun!

Check out the Suzuki Book 10 Mozart Concerto No. 4 in D Major!

For those studying vibrato, notice the subtlety of hers; not used all the time, but when necessary to add drama or expression. Also, what kind of vibrato is she primarily using (finger, wrist, arm)? Do you like the sound of it? Vibrato is such a personal expression of the music. No vibrato is done or used quite the same. Watch other performers technique regularly!

Why Kids Won't Practice - Part 1

This is the start of a 4 part series I'll be doing based off an article in the September 2014 Issue of the Suzuki Association of the Americas journal entitled, "Help! My Child Won't Practice: Twenty-two Reasons Why Your Child Isn't Practicing."

Just because your child doesn't want to practice, doesn't mean they don't want to play! Follow this series to solve any practice problems that may be happening at home.

#1 - Too Many Activities
Over scheduling is a common topic now a days. We all want to do so much, try different things and give our children well rounded experiences. However, children need time to just be children! Try choosing only 1 or 2 programs that you will commit to, and spend weekends or free evenings trying other non-committal activities (playing at a soccer field, taking an art class at Michael's, seeing a woodwind trio at the University, travelling to a museum for the day, etc). It is your job, not your child's job, to decide what your child will be involved in. It's okay to say no to other activities! Children will learn more when they stick with one activity and struggle through it to learn the skill then to float from activity to activity. No skills can develop without time and persistence. Don't let your children float; commitment is key to developing strong character traits.

#2 - Lack of Motivation
Ask teacher for motivation tips, but it is up to you to implement these tips and keep the motivation going. Listening to the CD and attending recitals and concerts, observing other lessons and coming to group class regularly are all basic motivators. 

• Try different practice charts or ways to keep track of practice and/or other chores at home. 
• Print off new charts or games to play review pieces or complete 100 charts for working pieces. 
• Develop a goal system where children work toward a month of everyday practice and they get an ice cream treat or a trip to the movies or something you will all enjoy. 
• Play for friends and family. 
• Play review pieces all piano or all forte, play with an upside down bow, play on one foot, play with the strongest bent thumb or the tallest violin for one song. Or do 10 in a row! 

Encourage, try something new, and encourage some more. Remember, motivation comes in waves as it will in every aspect of our lives at any age we are! Ride these waves with your children and do not get discouraged. It's just the way of life!

#3 - Out of Tune Instrument
Children know when their violin does not sound right and they will not want to play it. This is very frustrating when trying to practice. Invest in a chromatic tuner and learn with teachers help how to tune it yourself, come to group and lessons every week to get violin tuned or call teacher to arrange a time to tune the violin if needed.

#4 - No Rosin on the Bow
Once again, children know when their violin does not sound right. Try rosining the bow once per week. Although allow your child the independence of rosining their own bow, give it a good scrub yourself as sometimes children are too light with the rosin. If white dust starts flying there is too much rosin. Don't put anymore on for a few days. If the bow is sliding around and not gripping the strings, put some rosin on right away.

#5 - Your child doesn't know what to practice
Young children cannot be expected to know what to practice. That's why parents are encouraged to take notes and refer to the practice chart. Ask questions before the lesson ends. Try discussing together in the car ride after lesson what teacher assigned for the week. If something isn't clear when you get home, don't waste a week being unclear! Contact teacher and ask to clarify.

A Month of Celtic Music!

It's a month of celtic music in London and the surrounding area. You'll find me playing and watching the following local performances!

Friday November 7th - Shane Cook and Jake Charron
7:30 at Trinity Lutheran Church
746 Colborne Street, London Ontario
Tickets: 519-432-4832 Long & Mcquade
I still remember the day when he played fiddle at a Step Dance recital I was fortunate enough to be a part of. Now he's a Canadian and American Fiddle Champion and has established himself as a great performer and having collaborated with many other Canadian artists.

Saturday November 8th - Celtic Shift
8:30 at Ye Olde Town Hall
160 Aisle Craig Main Street, Aisle Craig
Tickets: $15 advanced, $18 at the door
519-293-1060
I feel so fortunate to be part of this group! Steve Holowitz, Dave Nuttall, Rob Larose and myself have got another twist on celtic music night planned.

Saturday November 15th - The Fitzgeralds + Nate Douglas
7:30 at The London Music Club
470 Colborne Street, London Ontario
Tickets: $15 advanced, $20 at the door
I had a chance to meet and learn from both Tom and Kerry Fitzgerald over the summer. Along with their sister Julie and guitarist Nate Douglas, this will be a great night of fiddle tunes and dance! Not to be missed!


Friday November 28th - The Leahy's
8:00 at Aeolian Hall
795 Dundas Street East, London Ontario
Tickets: $35
The Leahy's in Song features a new configuration of the Leahy siblings and their vocal compositions all with celtic flair.