Ringing in the New Year!
Monday, January 6, 2020 by Caitlin Peach | Uncategorized
Happy New Year Everyone! I hope that you all enjoyed your holiday celebrations with your families and that you're all ready for a fresh start to the new year!
I'm hoping in your New Year goals and resolutions are plans to continue to grow as musicians. I know that I personally have set some goals for myself that I want to accomplish this year as a musician, including some new pieces of music that I want to conquer, some new techniques I want to try out, and expanding my performance opportunities this year. What are some goals that you all have?
With any goal we musicians set for ourselves, it always starts with small steps in progressing our abilities.
Which of course comes down to one word . . . PRACTICE!
I know that with the holidays, I definitely enjoyed taking a break from everything . . . which included practicing. Now that school is starting back up, it's the perfect time to get back into the swing of things and revise my practice schedule. I want to encourage you all to do the same - as the only way that you can grow as a musician is to have a consistent practice schedule. I strongly recommend the following practice schedule for my students:
Elementary School Age (Kindergarten thru 5th): 10-15 minutes, 5 days out of the week
Middle School Age (6th thru 8th): 20-30 minutes, 5 days out of the week
High School Age (9th thru 12th): 30-45 minutes, 5 days out of the week
I'm always realistic - life happens and practicing every day is not always an option. I base my practice schedule around a 5 day plan, as I know that I can find 5 days out of the week that I can fit time in to practice. The big thing about practicing is, just like you have lessons scheduled every week, you have to schedule your practice time into your day. Set aside the time now that you're going to dedicate to practicing for your 5 days, put it into your schedule, and stick to it.
PARENTS: It helps if you are a part of your child's practicing - especially in the creation of the schedule and sticking to it!
Make practicing a goal for yourself for this year! Lessons will be more enjoyable (because we can keep moving forward in your progression as a musician), you will master more music and techniques (maybe even get to that piece you're really wanting to play), and you will become a better musician. Remember, you can track your practicing in your personal portal. I check the portal daily to see how everyone is doing - I'd love to see more students taking advantage of the resource. Plus, it's a great way to keep you accountable for your practicing.
I look forward to seeing everyone back in lessons this week!
Ms. Peach
