The hardest part of starting practice is getting the instrument out and getting started. I have heard many professional musicians agree with this statement & it is certainly true for me. I love playing violin and viola, but I don't always like stopping something else to get started. For me, it is a lot like exercise. Usually, once I've started, it feels great and I always feel great once I'm done - but getting changed and out the…
Here in Oregon it is looking a lot like fall already. The rain is coming down and students have a week left before the school year begins. Many of us are gearing up to restart busy schedules as teachers, parents and students. Starting this week I will be posting tips for musicians (and their parents or teachers) each Monday. You can subscribe to the blog through email (the tab on the right hand side of the blog…
Tomorrow is the first of February and many people have already abandoned the new year's resolutions they made only a month ago. I tend to avoid new year's resolutions for this reason. Instead, I usually make a few long-term goals for each area of my life and I urge you to do the same for your music goals this year. Whatever side of the Suzuki Triangle you are (the student, parent or teacher) it can help to keep…
"It's not necessarily the amount of time you spend at practice that counts, its what you put into the practice" Eric Lindros (Hockey Player) As a violin teacher I absolutely love this quote. Often as teachers we are asked "How long should I practice?" or "How long should my child be practicing everyday?" While teachers often have a rule of thumb they would like their students to follow, it is more complicated than that. It is…