Practice Does Not Necessarily Make Perfect!

          I had a neighbor a few years ago that changed the old cliche from "Practice makes perfect" to "Perfect practice makes perfect." In a sense, that is true, however, I don't believe most pianists can play every piece perfectly the first time they play it through. So, I am going to share with you some things to expect when your child practices, and some ways to encourage them.
        Your student will come home from lesson time with an assignment sheet all filled out (hopefully). Generally, to begin the lesson, we do Rhythm, Scales, then Technique, and Learn Notes. These teach and review many of the things the student will need to be able to do the rest of the lesson which is the Lesson book and Recital piece. Then they finish up with Theory.
        Did you notice that we do more to prepare for the Lesson and performance pieces than actually on the pieces themselves? That means at least a third to half of the student's practice time should be spent on those activities.
        Rhythm Menagerie is just one line per day, tapped or clapped no less than three times through. The student can have fun with this by using different surfaces or body parts to make the rhythm. For ideas, go here.
        Students using Scale Sheets will usually have three scales to work on every week. It takes three weeks for them to pass off each scale. They have scale maps which show them where to place their hands. Next week, I will post a tutorial video on how the scale sheets are played.
         Some students are in scale books, which have a little different format. They can be doing anywhere from one to three scales at a time.
        Technique builds finger strength and dexterity. It also teaches execution of articulations in music, such as legato, staccato, proper wrist and arm movement, and more. Building these skills is what gives a pianist's playing expression, meaning, and soul.
        Learn Notes is strictly for teaching note reading. It helps the students memorize the placement of the notes on the staff and on the piano, and the note names. The notes are broken down into easy-to-tackle groups so the task of learning notes doesn't feel so daunting and gives the students easily attainable goals.
       The Lesson book and Recital piece come next. It is sometimes thought that practicing just entails playing a piece through from start to finish a certain number of times. That is not the case. Many times, I will assign sections at the end or in the middle of the piece before the student is given the beginning. Sometimes I will give little warm-up exercises to do before starting the piece at all to get a certain pattern into their hands and minds.
        Look for notes in their Assignment sheet or on the music itself for how the student is to practice the piece. If you hear consistent mistakes, have them stop and go over that little section several times. That may be all they do during the time they practice their piece. It could be just going from one note or chord to the next note or chord several times.
       Consistency in practicing is the most important thing. Practicing at least 5 days a week will encourage progress and success. Most chldren won't accomplish this without parents reminding them, at least at first. Make piano practice a part of your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth.

(For more ideas, see this blog post by A.E. Krupp
   
       This week's practice results:  Kaelys practiced the most this week! As you can see from the photo, this could be anyone's contest. Ava, Wesley, and Olivia did extra-credit activities that moved them up an extra level. Very exciting!