Performing requires mental as well as physical practicing, and we all know how to
physically practice each day, but do we spend time with our children helping them
practice mentally for performances?
It is a common thing to practice an isolated passage to improve accuracy and
musicality. Isolated practice is good, as long as it is intentional. When students
practice with intention they avoid the trap of mindless practicing which requires a
significant amount of added time to a students practice routine to reach the same
goals as intentional practice. For younger students who require motivation that is
different from older students, parents can use games to isolate a passage and prepare
it for a performance. Games played during practice can motivate a student to focus
and achieve the goal intended and can even clarify what the goal is as the student
does not get a “turn” or “win” without getting it right. This establishes what right is,
and “right” plus many repetitions equals success!
Generally students play more repetitions of a performance piece as the recital gets
closer. It’s okay to have a specific number of times the piece will be played as long as
there is an evaluation made after each time to discover areas that are well prepared
and areas that still need some work. This enables the student to focus on the things
that need to be changed, added, or taken out. The take away then, is that more
repetitions are good, but an evaluation must be made after each one on whether it was
successful as a performance. You are aiming for a 10 out or 10 desired performances.
Another way to help you child prepare for a performance is with dress rehearsals. They
are a good way to help students perform consciously. Video recording a performance
does this as well. When you video record, the performance usually becomes more
conscious as it will be viewed afterward. Try to create the feeling of performing as
much as possible and make it fun if you can. One of the most important things to
avoid: when students practice unconsciously and perform consciously. This is often
when little mistakes happen in a performance, or a forgotten passage (gasp!).
Noa Kagayama from the Bullet Proof Musician podcast sums this up perfectly:
In addition, students should incorporate active listening and then playing the piece
directly after to enhance musicality. Setting up your child’s musical ear to help them
accomplish the sound and dynamics that they hear in a musical performance is just as
important as practising. When combined with listening, practicing becomes easier as
the ear knows where the music is supposed to go and can help train the fingers to
make it happen.
Finally, make sure your child has the proper fitting concert attire well ahead of time.
When our children grow out of their bikes, hockey equipment, and sports shoes, we
take them out to get the next size showing them that this is important. We send the
same message when we make the effort to acquire proper fitting black pants, (that are
not jeans or sweats) and dress shirts and shoes. When children do not have this
clothing, it sends the message that the event of performing classical guitar in a recital
is not so important that new clothing needs to be purchased. This, unfortunately, can
reflect in their approach toward recitals and playing the guitar in general. Sometimes
our actions really are louder than our words.
CSSA Heritage Park Play-In 2024 September 21 2022 | Heritage Park The leaves are turning yellow, but the music is ever green
Events & Classes Calendar 2024 – 2025 Keeping track of your child’s schedule is a little easier with this online Suzuki Guitar calendar. Available for print and download. TheContinue reading “Classes and Events Calendar 2024-2025”
2023 Spring Recitals in the Leacock Theatre June 9 , 2024 | Leacock Theatre | Mount Royal University Important More detailed information about the event will follow.
CSSA Heritage Park Play-In 2022 September 24 2022 | Heritage Park Sunny skies, smiles and strings
Release Your Inner Kraken! While their siblings strummed strings, they conjured up sea monsters with their coloring things! Not just brave musicians, but also fearless artists who love to exploreContinue reading “Release Your Inner Kraken!”