Appassionato Strings - 52 Practice Tips

Week 3

7/1/2016

First, copy your practice chart. Then, take the copy and cut each of the practice point boxes until they are separated. Next, place each of your practice points in a container (ie, bowl/hat). Now, choose one of the practice points out of your container without looking, complete and set aside until you have gone through all of your practice points; your practice chart will be completed before you know it!

Special Tip: A fun addition for your "practice container" are your review pieces-write them down on a piece of paper, cut them out and add!

Week 26

6/30/2016

Happy Independence Day!
Our country is celebrating another anniversary, so why don't we? This week, celebrate how much you have accomplished with your instrument by doing something you love! When we take time to pat ourselves on the back and acknowledge the progress we've made, our desire to keep growing typically increases!

Week 17

6/30/2016

To have a successful practice time, you must prepare yourself physically before beginning. Playing a musical instrument takes lots of focus and energy!

Before Practice "To Do" List:
•Drink a glass of water
•Eat a healthy snack
•Change into comfortable clothing
•Use the restroom
•Create a plan for your practice time

Week 4

6/30/2016

Slice up practice time by logging some "free practicing" minutes; after you have practiced for awhile, put your instrument down, turn the Suzuki CD on, get out your Suzuki book and use your finger to follow along with the songs that you hear. Feel free to use "free practicing" breaks throughout your practice sessions as often as needed.

Special Tip: "Free practicing" is best spent on songs that you are currently working on.

Week 2

6/30/2016

Bake a fun dessert (ie, brownie) and stick a birthday candle in it. Next, light the candle and begin your practice time. Once the candle melts down to the dessert, you can end your practce time, remove the wax, and enjoy your dessert!

Week 1

6/30/2016

Mix-up your practice routine this week by playing in a different room of your home each day.

Special Tip: For a fun "echo," practice in the bathroom!

Week 25

6/29/2016

Try recording a few of your practice sessions this week. Listen not only for correct notes and intonation, but a pure, beautiful sound. Don't forget - Dr. Suzuki said, "Beautiful tone, beautiful heart."

Week 24

6/29/2016

As you work on a passage, play it well! You are wasting your precious time if you play a section of your piece several times incorrectly. So, when you practice, practice smart!

Week 23

6/29/2016

Relaxation and stretching exercises can bring your practice time to a more focused and pain-free level! Relaxation techniques like yoga are terrific for preparing your mind to focus on any task; yogadownload.com is a great resource for finding a yoga routine that will work for you. For violin specific exercise descriptions and videos, check-out this article entitled, "Body Maintenance for Violinists."

Week 22

6/29/2016

Happy Summer! Do you like animals? This week, spice up your review pieces by playing them in the style of your favorite animal. Then, ask your home-teacher to guess which animal you are trying to convey.

52 Practice Tips

Weekly practicing advice or new practicing techniques to try at home.

"If, as person works at playing the violin well, he develops the talent to overcome any difficult problem by working, then the talent will be born to accomplish even the hardest problems easily. As a person practices the violin, he creates this talent."
- Dr. Shinichi Suzuki (Ability Development from Age Zero, p. 62)

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