To Portia
Thanks for your comment, Portia. You didn’t mention that you’re a student who has learned piano by making use of these tips.,,,,and look at how far you’ve come. Congratulations.
Phyllis Satz
Contract signed with Rowman & Littlefield for Practicing Sucks…But It Doesn’t Have To!!!
Good news. We have just signed a contract with Rowman & Littlefield for publication of, “Practicing Sucks…But It Doesn’t Have To!!!. Now the editing and the work REALLY begins. We don’t have a set publication date yet, but I’m hoping it will be in time for the holidays
Phyllis Satz
An Answer for Angel
Angel asked:
Ms. Satz (I’m assuming I’m talking to the author of the book, correct me if I’m wrong), I have a teenaged daughter who plays the flute. But, sometimes, she would rather play with her friends than practice. I know she’s good, because her music teacher at school said she was, but sometimes…well, she’s just not that into it. Is there anything I can do to get her to practice more or take it seriously? She really has talent, and I don’t want to push her, but I don’t want her to miss out, either. Any suggestions? Angel
You might try arranging for her to play little programs in hospitals and nursing homes. Even a half hour program would be appreciated by the patients. Also you might try seting her up with a few other music students and have them play duets or trios, and practice if possible in your house, or a community center, or even in a park (especially during the summer). The problem with getting someone to practice is that they don’t see the forest for the trees. They think that all there is is practice and no reward. The reward is finally getting out there and DOING IT!!! The FUN comes from being able to play for people and having them enjoy it and the applause doesn’t hurt either. It makes the student feel that all the work is worthwhile. One small concert is good for at least two weeks of inspirational practice. When you have friends over, if the student likes to play, ask her or him to play for your friends. (Of course, if your teenager doesn’t like to play for people, that one won’t work.) Don’t expect the student to want to sit for hours at a time and practice. Smaller sections of time — a half hour here, a half hour there, works better than expecting a student to practice two hours at a stretch. Maybe the student will do a better job first thing in the morning for a while, and then later in the day again, and then before bedtime. Choosing periods during the day when nothing else competes with the practice often works well too. Don’t forget about taking the teenager to concerts where he/she can hear real musicians play the instrument. Oh, and another thing, never, never tell the student that what he’s playing sounds badly (even if it does). That’s the quickest way to turn the student off. Always think positive. Be creative in your suggestions, and above all, be supportive. The support of a parent is very important, even if the student pretends it isn’t. I wish you and your teenager the very best of luck. Musically speaking, Phyllis Sdoia-Satz
Do you have a child studying music who just doesn’t like to practice
Parents of students here at Sdoia-Satz Music Institute, often ask us how to get their children to practice. That’s one of the biggest reasons I wrote the book….to help students, and parents of students find ways to make practice more tolerable. Let’s face it. Practicing isn’t fun, but the tips in “Practicing Sucks, But It Doesn’t Have To” helps make practicing more productive and enables the student to accomplish more in less time.
-
Recent
- Parenting Sucks, But It Doesn’t Have To!
- Sdoia-Satz Offers Summer Tutoring for Adults and Children
- Sdoia-Satz Institute Offers Writing Services
- Practicing Sucks…workshops, seminars, book signings
- Next Practicing Sucks Book Signing on October 25th
- Book Signings and Mini Workshops for Practicing Sucks
- Book Signings for Practicing Sucks
- Taped Comcast 5 minute Spot Sept. 25th
- Friday, Sept. 25th We’re on Comcast Newsmakers
- Practicing Sucks is on Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites
- Today’s the day
- Yesterday we did a radio interview about Practicing Sucks
-
Links
-
Archives
- June 2011 (1)
- June 2010 (2)
- December 2009 (1)
- October 2009 (3)
- September 2009 (6)
- August 2009 (4)
- May 2009 (1)
- April 2009 (1)
- March 2009 (2)
- October 2008 (1)
- August 2008 (4)
- June 2008 (7)
-
Categories
-
RSS
Entries RSS
Comments RSS