Tips and Guides for Parents
String Care and Maintenance
Tips for Beginning Band
Basic Instrument Care
A Warning About "Bargain" Instruments from Online Auctions
Tips for Beginning Band
The opportunity for a parent is to help your son or daughter. Because it is important that your child not feel all alone on this new adventure in instrumental music, you must play an important role.
"How", you ask? You may not know much at all about horns and drums and strings and things. Most parents don't. Don't worry about that.
How can you get involved? Is it possible to actually help your child learn to play? You bet it is!
First there's the matter of the instrument. Be sure that your student takes it to class every day it meets. It's very important not to miss any classes. This is crucial - make sure your band or orchestra student practices regularly. It should be done in the same place at the same time every day. Students cannot make progress by attending class only. Practice may not always make perfect, but it must be done every day, even by "perfect" musicians. Students should practice for results rather than accumulated time.
Family rooms are wonderful places for fun, TV and visiting, but your young musician shouldn't practice there. Nor should he or she practice anywhere distractions can take place. The bedroom or a study are fine places for practice.
Be sure to invest a few dollars in a music stand for your new music student. Used in daily practice it will promote deep breathing and proper posture necessary for good tone production.
Show your interest. Ask your child to play something for you several times a week. Say something encouraging about his or her efforts.
Provide your young, budding musician with opportunities to hear concerts in which the instrument he or she has chosen to play can be heard. Be sure you attend also.
Recordings of performers playing the instrument your child has chosen will serve as a model for musical growth. Have your child listen often - they will learn much from that!
Meet your student's teacher as soon as possible. Ask for specific ways in which you can help your child learn to play better, more quickly, and pleasantly.
Be patient. It takes a while for the beginner to play even simple tunes. Ask your child to show you how to do what he or she can do. Try it yourself! You'll be surprised!