THE IMPORTANCE OF PRACTICING
Music achievement requires effort over a period of time. Rehearsal time in band class is limited, therefore new concepts learned at school can only be developed through personal practice time at home. You can help your child have successful practice sessions by:
- Providing a quiet place in which your child can practice
- Remaining nearby during practice times as often as possible
- Scheduling a consistent daily time for practice (egg timers help monitor practice time)
- Recording daily practice on the child’s practice journal
- Praising your child’s efforts and achievements
THE ROLE OF THE PARENT
To give your child the best possible support, you should:
- Remind your child to bring his or her instrument and music to band class
- Encourage your child to play for family and friends
- Offer compliments and encouragement regularly
- Expose your child to a wide variety of music, including concerts and recitals
- Encourage your child to talk with you about band class
- Make sure your child’s instrument is always well maintained
- Help your child build a personal music library of sheet music and recorded music
- Get to know your child’s teacher
- Attend all performances
THINGS TO AVOID
Many band parents fall into bad traps while meaning to do well. Be careful and avoid the following:
- Using practice as a punishment
- Insisting that your child play for others when he or she does not want to
- Ridiculing or making fun of mistakes or less-than-perfect playing
- Apologizing to others for your child’s weak performances
Children lose interest in things on a regular basis, sometimes as quickly as they became interested in the first place. Gratification is not always instant with instrumental music, therefore parents will need to encourage and enforce practice through good times and bad. Your role as a parent is to remain ACTIVELY involved in your child’s music study. Success for band students depends on dedication. Please encourage your child in every way possible.