Creating The Ideal Practice Environment
Julie Lyonn Lieberman: The Creative Band and Orchestra

Privacy
Over the years, I've heard many student musicians describe how difficult it is to practice in the midst of siblings watching television, family arguments, or negative comments floating in from adjoining rooms. Unless you are specifically coaching or helping your child during their practice session (using positive comments to reinforce good deeds), and giving them your undivided attention while doing so, a comment from afar can keep their attention diverted to outside of themselves rather than focused on technique or on listening to the music. Try to keep your comments positive and supportive, and restrict them to the end of the session if you are in another room while they are practicing so that they can learn to immerse themselves into playing.

Learning to play an instrument requires subtle motor coordination and self-confidence. Visual and listening skills must be coordinated within time constraints. This requires deep concentration.

A separate room is the best option for practice, but if that isn't possible, even a partition like a folding screen or a curtain hung from the ceiling to the floor can help define the practice space. "A room of one's own," to quote author Virginia Wolf, in this case, offers respect and makes the statement "this is something that's all yours and we respect you and support your efforts."

Safety and Organization
The habits a young person develops around the care for their instrument and organization of their materials can play a viable role in contributing to success in all areas of their life. Sometimes parents assume that there's no need to address this issue because the instrument may not be of value since it's student quality. Keep in mind that the habits formed around the care for the very first instrument tend to establish a child's regard for material possessions, and establish habits that they will carry with them to future instruments.

1) Place the instrument in a safe place when not in use, and always put it down in that same, safe place when taking a break;

2) Always put the instrument away in its case when practice is finished for the day.

Often, the child comes to depend on the parent to remember things for them. This isn't conducive to building the skills that they need. A good place to begin, is with the materials they will need to bring to their lesson, or to orchestra practice. Try making a poster or using a blackboard to make a list. Give them stickers to use or something else that's fun which they can use to check off their list when preparing to leave the house.

Rewarding and Inspirational
When the practice space offers visual evidence of all that's been accomplished so far, and future goals, the student is constantly reminded of their ability to make progress, and of what they need to focus on next.

Using either a bulletin board, chalk board, or large pieces of paper that are attached to the walls, they can keep a running tally or chart on how many days in a row they've practiced and for how long. There are a number of ways you can design this. If you're planning to give them a reward for specific agreements fulfilled, you can place a picture of the reward at the end of a certain number of days. Make this fun! They can place a sticker or star on the board, or a balloon in the room, for each day they practice. Colors can signify the amount of time.

Inspirational quotes can be posted around their practice space, including positive comments from you or their teacher, as well as things people they respect have said about success. Cross over fields. These quotes don't have to come from musicians. They can come from their movie or sports heroes, too.

When friends come to visit, this space will elicit comments that will make your child feel proud of their commitment to music.

Goals
Ask your child to set their own goals and mount them in full sight. Also include their teacher's requests.

Photographs
Try mounting photos in their practice space of them performing, taking a lesson, rehearsing, or practicing (particularly when they are holding their instrument correctly).

CLICK HERE to download a PDF of this page.