Catherine Hicks Music Tuition
Catherine Hicks Music Tuition
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Offering quality piano, flute and theory tuition ... for exams or just for fun.
PRACTICING at HOME
No student will progress without regular practise at home.
Make music practise a regular part of the student's routine ....
for example:
*breakfast, dress for school, brush teeth, PRACTISE
or
*come home from school, have a snack, walk the dog, PRACTISE
Recommended MINIMUM Daily Practise Times
These are minimum times recommended - the student may find they need additional time to work through everything in their exercise book
Remember, I write in the exercise book each lesson giving you feedback on what has been practised, and setting work for the coming week.
The practise may be split into two practise sessions per day eg 10 minutes technical work in the mornings, 10 minutes working on pieces in the afternoon.
Piano Students
Beginner Pianist (first 6 - 12 months of lessons) - 10 minutes minimum per day
Second Year Pianist - 20 minutes minimum per day
Third Year Pianist - 30 minutes minimum per day
( .... continue adding an additional 10 minutes for each year of learning.)
Flute Students
Beginner Flautist - 5 minutes minimum per day (stop if your lower lip starts to ache) - gradually work up to 10 minutes per day.
Second Year Flautist - 20 minutes minimum per day
Third Year Flautist - 30 minutes minimum per day
( .... continue adding an additional 10 minutes for each year of learning.)
Theory Students - try to work on your homework a little each day rather than doing it all at once. Read your instructions carefully, and re-read to make sure you understand the question.
A metronome is a very useful practise tool. There are several options -
Traditional Metronome (shown below)
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Parents! Please encourage your child to practise and do not make them feel like their music is a noisy nusiance. If practising is part of their daily routine then you will be able to help them make their music at a time that is suitable for the whole family.
If the student wants to practise more than their, please encourage that too! But maybe ask them to play more quietly or use the practise pedal on the piano. Those with an electric piano can use headphones to completely stop the noise.
Flutists can practise "sliently" by pressing down the keys without blowing into the mouthpiece ( definitely not recommended for daily practise, though. Just for those 'extra' times they may wish to play, but you need some quiet.)
After your child has done their regular daily practise, please also encourage your child to play for others eg Grandparents, siblings, neighbours etc... Students who always only practise on their own can tend to get very nervous when someone else is listening.
So often I hear a student exclaim "But I played it perfectly at home!!" after making mistakes during their lesson. Playing for others not only will build up the student's confidence but it will share the joy of music with family and friends.