Suggestions For Successful Practice

If you’re just beginning, you’ll find that there are numerous options for starter guitars. You’ll need to purchase, rent or borrow your own instrument because you’ll have to practice on your own instrument.  Reliable beginning guitar packages - whether acoustic or electric – can be found at around $150.00.  A quiet space all your own, set aside for practice should be sought out as well.  See more on this subject on the "Your First Guitar" page

A portion of what we do during the lesson time is how and/or what to practice.   Much of what the student does on their own is simply maintaining the gains already made.  “Gains” are made incrementally and should be respected.  Quite possibly the most constructive practice session is done immediately after your lesson.  The ideas conveyed or introduced are fresher and not as likely to be forgotten.  Of course, questions, specific tune or material ideas are always a fixture within the plan as well.

• Motivation and preparedness:  practice develops confidence and confidence will generate a musical performance elevated in quality
• Dedication is the source for the creation of music of a higher degree and is redefined every day.
• The time spent within the practice regimen should be fully optimized and consistently, with energy concentrated and motion limited yet fluid.
• Continuous improvement:  to be better today than yesterday and to strive for the next step.
• Reliable technique always surpasses both style and performance.  Technique is the key or avenue for success: complete preparedness to which the musician may instantly call or rely upon in the generation of music of a finer quality or higher caliber. 

• Instruction in proper practicing techniques from the onset of lessons is essential.  This is the easiest way to lessen the possibility of erratic practice habits.
• Try to set aside a regular time to practice.
• Instituting a reward system for diligent practice habits sometimes works well.
• Attempt to make sure that expectations are known and pronounced.
• Draft a parent/child contract and adhere to it.
• Be patient, and try to focus on success rather than failure: positive reinforcement.
• Establish with the teacher concrete weekly or monthly goals.  Short or long-term goals with the student sometimes formulating their own agenda can aid in keeping students (of all ages) on track, and will make their practice routine much more rewarding. 
• Full communication between parents, students and instructor in a coordinated effort, is essential for not every given practicing method works for all.  Certainly, a setting in which a student struggles is to be avoided.  A child’s self-esteem and attitude towards musical activities in general can be negatively affected.
• the instructor with any concerns especially as regards practice.  Usually, this is best done privately, out of earshot of the child. 
• Practice slumps will occur but generally pass quickly.
• Music is a great thing.  More exposure to a variety of music or the arts in general can be enriching as well.
• Practicing a musical instrument is not necessarily normal or natural in many cases.  This is a learned behavior and establishing strong practice habits is essential.   So, it is important to continue to attempt to discover the practicing recipe that works best.  Discussions with the principal parties will determine the best approach to take.