Time to Practice!
It's not always fun to practice, but the more you practice, the better you get...at just about anything!
How to PracticePractice time can go by very quickly when you focus on these steps:
Create a Practice Pouch! http://88pianokeys.me/2012/10/09/practice-pouch-turn-practice-into-progress/ |
Making Practice FunYou can develop strong musical skills with many fun activities in addition to playing on the piano.
Fine Motor activities are great for developing and maintaining dexterity - get out some PlayDoh or make homemade pretzels, knit a scarf or play with sewing cards, draw or paint, ...read more under the Make It Fun!, then Fine Motor Activities tab. Don't rule out "video games" - there are many piano sites and apps out there that offer games on music theory, keyboard keys, notes, aural & visual aspects, history, and more! Play for others! Playing for others not only helps you work on your performance skills, but often ends with a lot of positive reinforcement from those watching and listening. Incentives - yes it's ok to give yourself, or your children, incentives and positive reinforcement for playing. Whether it be stickers, a hug, a small piece of candy, a manicure, or special time together, just make sure the reward is equal to it's accompishment. Teachers - create a game board or chart where students advance on a practice/homework completion point scale. You can create personalized playing pieces or use some from old games, like Candy Land. |