PRACTICE PAGE
Practising is a demanding discipline, which needs
Help from the tutor.
Encouragement from the parents and
Determination from the pupil.
What Parents can do to help
How much practice time
Encourage your child
What not to do
Ten Tips and Pitfalls
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO TO HELP:
Beginners normally find it hard to relax and therefore holding the classical guitar correctly can be difficult.
Ensure they are holding the guitar correctly by using a FOOT STOOL for their left foot and MUSIC STAND for their music.
The pupil MUST PERSEVERE and learn to be friendly with their instrument.
Pupils can make their own melodies up by doodling with the notes to which they have been introduced.
Ensure your child's instrument is the correct size and in good working order.
Out of tune guitars can still be played on, especially if the beginner has to master primary techniques.
Old strings are very difficult to keep in tune (any string over 6 months old).
If playing on an out of tune guitar
is too off-putting, read appropriate chapter or ask their tutor.
Make sure all the machine heads are in working order.
Buzzing strings could be loose string ends, machine heads,a raised fret or even a very old string.
Provide a quiet place to practice and schedule a consistent daily practice time.
If they are young (and don't mind you interfering), try to show an interest in their music making and encourage them even when they are making mistakes. (Those 'mistakes' could be tomorrow's new songs.)
If any problems arise during the week, mention them to the tutor.
I provide a practice diary so that the pupil can make note when they have practiced, with a space for any parential comment.
Any comments greatly received as they nip any problem in the bud.
Remember!
"20 minutes per day, keeps your Tutor (Mr Coley) at bay !-))"
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HOW MUCH PRACTICE
All pupils wish to play like a professional but they don't always like to practice like one.
Rather than force the pupil to practice every day for I5 minutes, it would be better to have two days off, if they were prepared to practice 20 minutes for five days.
They MUST REMEMBER that every professional started as a beginner.
The classical guitar is a very difficult instrument, develop the will and there is always a way.
If the pupil wishes to start entering for grade exams they must be prepared to practice at least 30 minutes per day.
For higher grade pupils, they must practice at least an hour+ per day.
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"If at first you don't succeed. DOITAGAIN!"
HOW TO ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD.
Listen to your child practice, acknowledge their improvement, offer compliments and encouragement.
Encourage your child to talk about his/her lessons and to play for the family but please don't force them.
Expose your child to a wide variety of guitar music, live or recorded.
My pupils will always benefit from attending my Pupil Guitar Concerts even though they may not wish to play in public themselves.
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"Scales make your tunes flow easly."
WHAT PARENTS SHOULD NOT DO
DO NOT use practice as a punishment.
DO NOT apologise to others for your child's weak performance.
DO NOT insist that your child play for others or enters grade exams if they do not want to.
DO NOT use your your child as a third party speaker for complaints, cancellations or to terminate the lessons PLEASE.
A short note or telephone call would be more appropriate.
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"ANTICIPATION
is the ART of SPEED.
LOOK AHEAD!"
TEN TIPS AND PITFALLS IN PRACTISING
1]
ALWAYS HOLD THE GUITAR CORRECTLY
Always use a FOOT STOOL, MUSIC STAND and sit on a chair or stool, never on the edge of a bed with legs crossed,
music on the knee etc.
2]
FORGOTTEN WHAT TO DO FOR THE NEXT LESSON
Should not have waited a few days before practising. They must practice and perfect some of the older lessons.
This should jog their memory enough to remember the latest lesson. The pupil can even try to learn an old piece by heart.
3] NOT UNDERSTAND THE EXPLANATION GIVEN
They must always tell their tutor if they don't understand the explanation or word used.
The pupil must never be afraid to ask questions.
4]
NOT USE THE CORRECT FINGERING
The pupil must practice slowly. One finger/thumb can be used to produced any note, but it doesn't help their progress.
Good habits are better to develop than bad.
5]
SORE FINGER TIPS
Sore finger tips may arise because of the pressure on the strings. The only way to overcome this is to PRACTICE.
Some tutors suggest that the finger tips should be wiped with surgical spirit. I do not think it is a good idea,
just keep practising.
6]
ACHE IN THE BACK AND HANDS
This slight discomfort is the result of a natural biological reaction. If this occurs,
you should rest for a few minutes before continuing to practice.
7]
PLAYING TOO FAST
The student should always play the music slowly and clearly, never forgetting to play the note values.
Beginners should keep the crotchet length as one second and making sure the minims are two
seconds long etc.. (I help solve the problem by playing the music, with the pupil and sometimes
record the music on a cassette tape.)
8]
NEVER BE BEATEN
My magic words are 'DO IT AGAIN'. Occasionally however,
I might give a student something that is just too hard for them to play. if this is the case,
I will always revise their lesson programme.
9]
FORGET TO PRACTICE THE BASIC RULE i.e.
KEEP your left hand fingers ON
UNLESS you HAVE to take them OFF.
10]
LAST BUT NOT LEAST PUPILS MUST ALWAYS
Use your BRAIN to practice
And your HEART To play.
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