It is our job, we parents and teachers, to motivate and organize our children’s enormous musical energies. Most children require some, if not all of these helps to become successful guitarists. Your involvement is your most important contribution to your child's success.
I. Practice with your children.
•Youngsters do not have the organizational skills for daily practice. Guitar practice requires “help”, the same as teeth brushing or homework.
II. Have a regular time and place to practice.
•Establish a “guitar time” that is routine. Avoid asking: “Do you want to practice now?” The answer will usually be “No.”
III. Make your sessions short.
•Five to twenty minutes is usual.
•Help with the hard parts, like tuning and hand positions.
IV. Know what your teacher is focusing on and practice 2 or 3 specific things each day.
Remember that children learn slowly. The following suggestions may also help:
•Say the note names and/or fingering of the piece aloud together.
•Slowly play one line (or so) of the music 3 times in a row. (Don’t worry about mistakes and wrong notes.)
•Play old favorite pieces.
•Repeat the same things from the day before.
V. Share a treat afterwards.
•This is a little reward for doing the job, a nice reminder that practicing is a good thing.
