If you have chosen to study a string instrument,
you always have homework for this class!
Your homework is to PRACTICE!

PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS
Target Goal = 100 minutes per cycle
Each cycle is 6 school days, the number calendar days in a cycle will vary - but it is always at least 8 calendar days and sometimes much more if breaks interrupt a cycle.

This is 10-15 minutes a day, but if you don't have time to practice on one day, you can practice for a longer period on a different day.  However, its best to try to spread these minutes over at least 3 or 4 days.  Smaller more frequent practice sessions produce better results than one long marathon session.  70 minutes a week is a minimum needed for progress - less than this tends to lead to frustration, drop outs and lack of success.  The most successful students often far exceed this practice goal. 

PRACTICE CALENDARS

I can hear whether or not you are practicing by listening to you play.  My experience with practice charts is that they generally aren't very accurate.  In addition, as in any class, the amount of time needed for each student to be successful will vary.  When trying to determine if you are practicing enough, consider the following question:

How did my practice this week impact my playing of my assigned lesson book pieces?

You should be aiming for one of the top two statements!

TIPS TO ENCOURAGE PRACTICE
NO, you are not the only parent dealing with this tricky matter!
Many students need extra reminding to practice their instrument –

DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED

Here are some ideas that may help:

• Remember that this really doesn't need to be any different from other requests you make of your child or other expectations you hold for your child - like bedtime, chores, or eating vegetables!  If your home is a place where children are normally expected to comply with parental requests, this general attitude will carry over to practice expectations as well.
• Encourage consistent practice habits, just like finishing homework (this is part of their homework now).
• Ask your child about our lessons.  Sit down for a weekly concert (possibly the night before the lesson) and listen to the exercises to hear your child’s progress. 
• Consider building consistent practice time into your daily routine.  Every morning before the bus, or every night right before dinner – whatever works for your family.  Having a consistent time helps students to remember to include practicing in their daily routine.
• Try to attend local concerts – it’s motivating to see how the instruments can sound once mastered.  Local High School concerts are GREAT for this purpose – they are economical and help students to see how progress can be made in a relatively short amount of time.  See my links for webpages of local Symphony Orchestras and their concerts.
• Have your child try to teach you a song -- kids love being the teacher, and it reinforces the concepts if they have to explain them to someone else! J