Motivation and practice

Motivation and practice– for students and parents alike

These two words that seem to instil fear and dread in all concerned.  This includes teachers, students be it children or adults, and parents.   For children, parents need to play a more active role in their child’s practice.   I’ve notice the children that tend to do well have support and involvement from their parents.  So, that in itself is tricky.  What if the parents are unmotivated people who would rather stick their kids in front of the telly and/or Xbox for an easy life.  A tricky one I think you’ll agree. Parents need to realise the importance of their role rather than focussing on whether the child seems interested in their musical instrument or not. Too often I’ve heard parents say he didn’t practice much these last couple of weeks so we won’t be having lessons anymore.  As a parent, you need to realise that in some cases at least you need to put in your own input, encouragement and positive reinforcement into your child’s interest.   Of course, with adults it’s a slightly different story but more or less the same from partners in terms of support is equally useful.

So practice, do we need it or can we progress with lessons alone?  In a way yes with regular lessons you can progress but it will be at a much slower rate than someone who does regular practice. This might seem obvious to some.   Much of our learning as human beings is related to repetition and observation.  Think of your early days as a toddler.  When you were learning to walk and fell flat on your face did you give up?

Rewarding isn’t really effective.  Possibly in the short term but you are reinforcing the idea that it is a chore.   I think the better results come from thinking about goals.   Write them down!   I think as students or parents we focus too much on time.  Practice for 15, or 30 mins a day.  What’s so special about these specific times?    If you focus on goals (which should be appropriately challenging to your level), it doesn’t matter whether it take 5.745126 mins or 1 hour precisely. Think about daily goals, weekly goals and monthly goals.   For children don’t be annoyed if they miss a day. It could mean they will practice twice as long the next day.

Examples of personal goals could be play an exercise without mistakes or play so many bars without mistakes or perhaps, play this technique for so many strokes per hand etc etc etc.

From a teachers point of view I would use positive reinforcement and encourage students when they do well and justify it by telling them why and how they did well.  “Now try this……”

Help your children fall in love with the instrument of choice.  Show them what music can be about. Take them to a concert, local gig or festival (but don’t spend too long on the bouncy castle!).

Know your child and find what motivation works for them. No two children are the same.

Step in the room when they are practising. Don’t judge, instead praise and monitor.

As a teacher and parent a great golden rule for learning is expect their best not your best.

What I also try and do as a teacher is show that I am a student aswell.  I’ve never stopped learning.  For me the discovery is one of the most fun parts.

If possible attend drumming events, shows, competitions, talent contests, clinics, charity events and get involved.  Try and always finish practise on a positive note.  If something is not quite going to plan, finish on a high. Have a muck about or play to your favourite song.

Food for thought anyway.