Is your Suzuki Student Progressing Slowly? More Listening Could be the Answer! Occasionally, I will have a student that progresses through the Suzuki repertoire very quickly. Each piece comes easily, almost effortlessly. Are these students just more talented? Did they practice more than the others? My hypothesis is, while these students did practice consistently, they […]
Practice
To Bribe or Not to Bribe? How Pro Suzuki Parents Motivate Their Kids to Practice
How Pro Suzuki Parents Get Their Kids to Practice Part III The question of whether or not to “bribe” children to practice is a controversial one. Those against a “bribe,” or as I prefer, a reward system, argue that we should encourage intrinsic motivation, helping our children to be self-motivated. Inspired and moved to practice […]
How to Improve Your Students’ Violin Posture
5 Ways to Say “Stand Up Straight” Without Saying “Stand Up Straight” Yet Again… I’m still waiting for the day that teaching the violin becomes easy for me. It has definitely become much easier than it used to be, but I still struggle. Last week I wrote a blog post, “Are You a Strict Teacher […]
How do I Find the Time to Practice with my Suzuki Student?
How Pro Suzuki Parents Get Their Kids to Practice: Part II This post is the second in a series of posts where I share the results of my research into how some parents actually make practicing happen. Part I was all about making practicing with your Suzuki student a part of your daily routine, you […]
Suzuki Violin Method: How Pro Suzuki Parents Get Their Kids to Practice: Part I
To get the most out of the Suzuki Violin Method, check out what these parents are doing… The Suzuki Violin Method requires a huge commitment from parents, students, and teachers. We teachers are always struggling to get our students to practice, and to teach them how to practice properly. Parents are always struggling to fit it […]
5 Easy Music Lesson Games
How to Make Lessons Fun Without Spending Any Money! It is really easy to get in a teaching rut. Do you feel that way, too? Some weeks I just get into my routine, say the same things (bend your thumb, that’s sharp, blah, blah, blah), do the same activities, and even I get bored. And […]
5 Fun and Easy Violin Practice Games
5 Fun and Easy Violin Practice Games How to Avoid Music Practice Battles with Your Kids Guest Post by McKenzie Clawson Practicing sometimes feels like a dirty word. When I bring up the subject of practicing with my students they look away, shuffle their feet, and try to avoid the question. (Does this sound familiar?) […]
5 Things I’m Loving This Week–June 19, 2015
I have been really excited about the increased engagement in my studio. Before I went on my maternity leave in March, I was feeling really discouraged and hopeless. I felt like nothing I did ever made a difference, so why try? Well. Let me tell you, it does make a difference. I can already see […]
How to Boost Your Practice Time Productivity
Use this simple tool to keep yourself accountable and motivated to get things done! Image Credit Sometimes I have a hard time concentrating when I practice. A really hard time. I generally have issues concentrating, and those are exacerbated when I sit down to practice violin efficiently. (It truly is a miracle I’ve made it […]
Are You Forgetting this Important Music Teaching Tool?
How to rewire your music students’ brains in ten words or less… I enjoy folding my babies’ laundry. I love the teeny socks and sleepers. I love thinking about the kissable little feet that go in those socks, and the sweet cuddles from little ones in those sleepers. This was not always the case. […]