Practice Tips from the Greater Philadelphia Suzuki Association
Set a consistent practice time.
Listen to repertoire tapes often.
Child and parent should be calm, fed, and hydrated.
Keep the practice area free from distractions - unplug the phone, have siblings otherwise occupied.
Be gently encouraging. Appreciate all the efforts they make!
Set a timer. When it goes off, it’s time for the practice to begin. Another option is to agree with your child on the time to start (“In 10 minutes,” “In 20 minutes,” etc.) [Editorial note - this can turn into procrastination quite easily unless the decision is both mutual and respected. Judge whether or not to use this with your child based on his/her personality.]
Warm up with body stretching - very important!
Keep a practice chart, and let the child apply stickers as they accomplish each part of the lesson.
Stop practice just before their ability to focus leaves them.
Let the child be the teacher. You make silly mistakes, let them correct you.
Keep it fun for yourself and it will be fun for them.
Keep the practice moving. Keep it short and sweet.
Tell them how proud of them you are.
Let them (or you) wear a hat/sunglasses or whatever makes the child smile during practice.
Parents should take the time to play and practice the instrument.
Listen frequently to repertoire CD’s as well as excellent quality music from a variety of sources. Create a wonderful listening environment for your child.
Put the child’s favorite doll/stuffed animal in a prominent place. Have the child play beautifully for her/him/it.
Vary the location of practice. [This may be a great “shot in the arm” for practice, or it may provide too many new distractions. Judge your child’s mood before employing this one.]
Play outdoors in the summer.
Games:
Mind Tunes
Give parent/child the first note of a familiar tune (not repertoire) and let them be a tune detective to find the rest of the notes. Good for ear training and confidence.
Pick a Card, Any Card
Put parts of the lesson on index cards and spread them out. Let the child select one at a time. Dress up the cards with sticers on the back. As you complete them, put them in the “Done” pile.
Fishing Game
Put stick-on magnets on the backs of cards. Get a stick, attach string and magnet. Let the child fish for the next part of his/her lesson. [Editorial note - my mother used this with me all the time, and I always looked forward to it.]
Home Run Derby
Draw four bases on a card. Each time the child does a tune or section of a tune correctly he/she advances a base. Keep score. (Adapt to their favorite sport)
Penny Game
Draw three (or four or five) circles on a card. Each time the child does a tune or section of a tune correctly he/she gets to put a penny in the circle. When all are covered, he/she gets a point. Set the number of points in advance. Play till completed and the child wins. If the parent takes turns, too, it is more fun of course!
TV Star
Videotape the session. Let the child watch themselves on TV/video. Let them tell you what they can do to help them be better performers.
Weekly Concert
Prepare a little show for Dad/grandparent/neighbor. Let the child dress up, announce themselves, take a bow and perform. [Dr. Suzuki suggested that this be done quite often.]
Dice Game
Roll the dice to select the review repertoire. Use one die to roll for frequency of perfecting a preview spot. (If you roll 1 or 2, roll again and add the next number to the 1 or 2.)
Pile up the Winnings
Get a set of objects you can use for counters that will stack nicely (checkers work nicely, or pennies if you want to be monetary). For each time the student plays a piece/section correctly, add one counter to the stack. They love to see their tower get higher!