How to Support Your Students' Musical Learning

Although I, as the instrumental music teacher, help your student learn music and their instrument, you play a huge role in your students music learning. Students look to their parents and guardians for positive encouragement and that is something you can provide for them. In order to help your beginning music student at home, I recommend the following:

• Set up an appropriate space and time for daily practice. Maybe purchase a “cool” music stand and light fixture to be used while practicing, or a chair with a cushion that they like.
  
• Listen to practice sessions a couple of times each week and offer positive comments like, “you’re doing so well” or “I’m so happy that you’re learning an instrument” or “I can really hear improvement.”
  
• Attend a concert (string quartet, brass quintet) in a small, intimate setting (e.g. the local library where concerts like these are often provided for free) where the child can see a true professional performing on that instrument. Sit right down front so that the student can see the performer up close and personal. Arrange to meet the artist after the concert if at all possible. Artists love to meet beginning level instrumentalists.
  
• Encourage the child to video a short selection/exercise to email to grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, and other family members.
  
• Keep motivation at the top of the list when it comes to working with the beginning student. It’s easy for students to become frustrated with their rate of advancement and it takes fortitude to stick with it. Parents need to understand that they play a huge role in keeping their children engaged in instrumental music.
  

Playing an instrument is frustrating at times for beginning musicians, so it helps to have encouragement and support from their parent or guardian. Having a space and time to practice, helps your student improve and helps them feel like music is equally as important as math or ELA.

As the child develops, it is important to consider purchasing an instrument. Having “your very own instrument” shows the child that you value the experience being gained through participation in the music program and it will energize the student to continue with those musical experiences.

• Consider getting private lessons for the child if the interest is shown and if there is sufficient time in the student’s weekly schedule to add the commitment. Parents should be cautious not to overload the child as this could take away the fun of learning to play the instrument.
  
• Hold social events for the child and his/her group of friends from the ensemble. Invite them for pizza and to watch movies. It doesn’t take much–the key is that they establish a “group of friends” from the music program. They will enjoy their social time together no matter what the activity is and encouraging these social bonds will also strengthen the ensemble.
  
• Attend all of the performances (the Spring concert is on May 10 at 6:00pm). It can be very difficult with busy schedules but this is KEY! Take photos, go out for ice cream afterward and praise the child for their accomplishments!
  

Your encouragement and dedication to the band is one of the most, if not the most, important thing for students to continue their musical learning. When students see their parent or guardian invested in their musical interests, students will continue to participate in the band and play their instruments. You are the backbone of the instrumental music program and your dedication to the program is greatly appreciated.