I stumbled upon this site,
http://www.kenfoster.com/Articles/Practicing.htm
when I was googling this book :
How To Get Your Child To Practice...Without Resorting To
Violence!! written by Cynthia V. Richards"
There seems to be a turning point in motivation for most music students who pursue their study to advanced levels. When this happens varies according to a multitude of individual circumstances, the basic ones being how quickly proficiency is acquired and how early the student matures. Some students have the proficiency but not the maturity to be self motivated. Others have the maturity but not the proficiency to experience this turning point. I have observed that most successful musicians have discovered the magic of music enough to be willing to practice somewhere between the ages of twelve and eighteen. Some gifted and early maturing individuals may experience this sooner.
Experiences seemed to describe what seems to be a typical pattern:
With music, unlike academic or scientific fields of endeavor, it is too late to wait until a child matures to start practicing. It must be begun in the early years of childhood when the motivators must come from outside sources.
There is much work involved in getting a child to the blossoming stage of musical development. There are many pitfalls and interference's that must be countered. This book explores sources of motivation for a young music student and helps parents provide the right growing conditions for the flower to come to full bloom.
Gontroppo, a music teacher from Australia, has made a good review of the book, see excerpt of his review below :
Cynthia makes some great points in her book, and while I will give you a few of her hints here, you will find it worthwhile read the whole book.
Cynthia alerts her readers to these stumbling blocks:
1 Indifferent home environment
2 Faulty teacher-child relationslip
3 Lack of maturity and commitment in the child
4 The wrong instrument
5 Unfavourable practice conditions
6 Bad memories
7 Peer pressure not to practise
8 Not proficient enough to be competitive
9 Too many conflicting interests
10 Sibling rivalry
11 Competitive feelings with a parent
12 Communications
She also suggests some ways to overcome these problems:
1 Start early
2 Practise with your child every day
3 Set up family rules for practising
4 Use incentives when needed
5 Handle conflicts by
a avoiding emotional involvement
b being friendly
c being matter of fact
d not giving in
6 Enjoy your children's music
7 Praise them for their successes
8 Look for stumbling blocks and do your best to remove them
9 Focus your efforts on getting your child hooked on music
I highly recommend this book. If you follow the advice of a successful mother and music teacher, your child may not become a little Mozart; but you will be a better parent, your child will be a happier child and together you will enjoy some great musical experiences.
http://www.kenfoster.com/Articles/Practicing.htm
when I was googling this book :
How To Get Your Child To Practice...Without Resorting To
Violence!! written by Cynthia V. Richards"
There seems to be a turning point in motivation for most music students who pursue their study to advanced levels. When this happens varies according to a multitude of individual circumstances, the basic ones being how quickly proficiency is acquired and how early the student matures. Some students have the proficiency but not the maturity to be self motivated. Others have the maturity but not the proficiency to experience this turning point. I have observed that most successful musicians have discovered the magic of music enough to be willing to practice somewhere between the ages of twelve and eighteen. Some gifted and early maturing individuals may experience this sooner.
Experiences seemed to describe what seems to be a typical pattern:
| Age 7 - 14 | "I practiced more because I was expected to - - I had to!" |
| Age 14 - 18 | "I was performing a lot and realized I needed to practice." |
| Age 18 - 23 | (College) "I finally came to enjoy it!" |
With music, unlike academic or scientific fields of endeavor, it is too late to wait until a child matures to start practicing. It must be begun in the early years of childhood when the motivators must come from outside sources.
There is much work involved in getting a child to the blossoming stage of musical development. There are many pitfalls and interference's that must be countered. This book explores sources of motivation for a young music student and helps parents provide the right growing conditions for the flower to come to full bloom.
Gontroppo, a music teacher from Australia, has made a good review of the book, see excerpt of his review below :
Cynthia makes some great points in her book, and while I will give you a few of her hints here, you will find it worthwhile read the whole book.
Cynthia alerts her readers to these stumbling blocks:
1 Indifferent home environment
2 Faulty teacher-child relationslip
3 Lack of maturity and commitment in the child
4 The wrong instrument
5 Unfavourable practice conditions
6 Bad memories
7 Peer pressure not to practise
8 Not proficient enough to be competitive
9 Too many conflicting interests
10 Sibling rivalry
11 Competitive feelings with a parent
12 Communications
She also suggests some ways to overcome these problems:
1 Start early
2 Practise with your child every day
3 Set up family rules for practising
4 Use incentives when needed
5 Handle conflicts by
a avoiding emotional involvement
b being friendly
c being matter of fact
d not giving in
6 Enjoy your children's music
7 Praise them for their successes
8 Look for stumbling blocks and do your best to remove them
9 Focus your efforts on getting your child hooked on music
I highly recommend this book. If you follow the advice of a successful mother and music teacher, your child may not become a little Mozart; but you will be a better parent, your child will be a happier child and together you will enjoy some great musical experiences.
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