What is practicing all about? Blog Series: Week 3

This blog series has explored issues around practicing: why you practice, and the "whens and wheres" of practicing.

This post will explore how to practice, supplemented with a few checklists you can keep and use at home .

How to Practice 

• Get started!  Often this is the hardest part.  Open your books and put your fingers on the keys!!

• Check the Left:  Which clef?  What is the time signature?  What is the key signature?  What is the tempo marking?  What are the dynamics?

• Check the Center:  What is the title?  This may give you clues about the piece

• Check the Right: Who wrote this piece? (This may not apply in the earlier method books)

• Don’t forget your Technic/Technique Book!  These are warm-ups for your small muscles, just like an athlete warms-up before a game.

• Practice slowly first

• Practice with your ears—ask yourself: does that sound right?  If not, take a closer look. Alternatively, can you sing or hum the song you just played?  Can you hear it in your head without even singing or humming?

• Set goals for your practice session, such as playing the dynamics, or increasing your tempo, etc. 

• Evaluate-What did you do well?  What can you do better at?

What if you have done all of those steps, but the music is still hard/confusing/doesn't sound right?

• Write down any questions you have on the page in pencil, or in your notebook.

• Break it into small steps:  focus on the correct notes, only focus on the rhythm, etc

• If you get frustrated, take a break.

• Compose your own song, or improvise during your practice session.  Your teacher will love to hear your own songs!

PRINTABLE CHECKLISTS TO ENCOURAGE QUALITY PRACTICE:

Download them here and here.

What is practicing all about? Blog Series: Week 2

MTEC began this blog series to explore the issues that surround practicing.  Last week we discussed what practicing is (playing with a purpose) and why you practice (to become a better musician and a variety of other reasons).

This week we are looking at . . . 

The Whens and Wheres of Practicing  

When

MTEC recommends that your child practices 20-30 minutes each day, 4-5 days a week.  Practice time should be age-appropriate (less time for younger students).

Our piano students are busy!!!  We understand that this may not be possible every week.  Also, we recognize that school work comes first.  This is simply MTEC's recommendation.

A few tips . . . 

• Put practicing on your schedule—set aside 20-30 minutes each day.  This could be 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes after dinner.   
• Practicing for short periods of time more often is more beneficial than long periods of time less often.  The more often, the better! 
• Utilize a practice chart to help keep track of time spent practicing- it also serves as a visual reminder.  
• Setting a timer helps keep the end in sight!
• Take a break if needed.  

Where

*If you can, make the practice space free (or a least limited) from distractions. 

*Keep a pencil on the piano or in the bench and write in your music.

*Turn off the electronics!

What is practicing all about? Blog Series: Week 1

Practicing is a hot topic in the lesson world.  Many parents wonder, how often/how long should my child be practicing?  Even more often, we hear that finding the time and and the motivation to practice is difficult.  

The MTEC team has heard you and shared your experiences, as some of us are parents and others remember being the students that didn't want to practice!  

Why do teachers ask students to practice?

Playing music is fun!  Practicing music makes playing music more fun; practicing is playing with a purpose.  Practicing also moves beyond playing, including looking closely at the music and practicing music skills in general. 

Practicing can create good and bad habits—by listening while you practice and writing down questions, good habits are formed.  Practicing requires concentration and it can be frustrating.  However, when you work at a goal (such as playing a piece of music) step by step, the goal is often accomplished.  Trust that the process of practicing will work.  If you can't figure it out in a week, that is OK.  That is why you have a teacher that you meet with on a weekly basis!

Remember why you practice (to be a better musician, to learn how to make music, to learn how to play a song, to express emotions through music, to be able to share music with others, or many more reasons!)  When you remember why you practice, it helps you figure out what to practice.

*If practicing is not an option for you, we understand, and lessons are still a great way to learn more about music and an instrument*

In future posts, MTEC will discuss specific strategies as well as concrete tools that can be used at home to make practicing easier and more worthwhile.  Stay tuned!

Staff Profile: Lucy Brown

Welcome to our newest music therapist, Lucy, who joined the MTEC team this fall!

Name: Lucy Brown, MT-BC

Hometown: Mentor, Ohio

Education: Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy from the State University of Fredonia

Music Therapy Internship: Heartland Hospice - Independence, OH

Instruments: French Horn, Piano, Guitar and African drums

Professional interests: "I love going to regional and national conferences to learn new things, get fresh ideas for interventions, network with other professionals and catch up with colleagues."

Music Therapy Philosophy: "I believe that music therapy works best when the therapy is client centered and uses music as a tool to increase self-awareness and work on challenges that are discovered in the client's health and wellness.  When the client can use music as an instrument to create change in their areas of need they become more balanced within themselves and this leads to increased wellness.  Music therapy should be focused on the client and involve the use of music to create positive change which the therapist helps to facilitate."

What do you outside of MTEC? "Visiting with friends and family.  I like to be outdoors; camping, hiking and snowboarding when possible.  I also enjoy the challenge of home improvement projects and baking or cooking new things."

Did you know?  "I studied abroad in Spain where my classes were taught in Spanish."

Piano Clinics

Our first piano clinic is Sunday, October 21st from 2-3 p.m.  The sign-up sheet is posted on MTEC's door, and you can sign up by email as well.  A little more about the clinic:

Piano Clinics will be held monthly, on a Sunday from 2-3 p.m. Students must sign up in advance for a 1/2 hour time slot. Spaces are limited. An MTEC Music Instructor will be available during this independent and guided practice time, to answer questions and help with problem areas. The cost is $10 per clinic. 

Piano Clinics are great for . . .

1. Students who get distracted practicing at home.

2. Parents who feel "stumped" helping their child read and practice music.

3. Students who have missed one or more lesson.  (Note: Piano clinics can be used as a make-up!!!  Just let Jaime or Alane know.)

4.  Students who have a keyboard at home and would benefit from playing a piano or digital piano.

5. Any student that could benefit from extra practice- that is every student, by the way!

Staff Profile: Barbara Bownds

Name: Barbara Bownds            Teaches: Piano

Years Teaching: Music instruction in public school: 9 years; private piano instruction: 5 years.

Student Practicing Philosophy: "Students need to practice at least 5 - 6 days a week.  It is much more productive to spread the practice out instead of trying to do it all in 1 or 2 days. They need to practice slow and steady at first until they can build up the tempo. For longer pieces,  isolating the difficult passages, and practicing those first before playing the whole piece, usually gets better results in less time"

Outside of MTEC: "I like to walk or ride bikes, explore the Metro parks, read, go to concerts or plays, and have fun with my three precious grandchildren!"

Did you know?  Barbara also plays the French Horn!


Availability for new students (all times PM):

MON	2:00	2:30	3:00	5:30	6:00	6:30
TUE	2:00	3:00	6:30
WED	2:00	2:30	3:30	4:30	5:00	6:00	6:30