Hats off to the parents and guardians out there! You’ve done amazingly this past year. We know it hasn’t been easy. And now it’s time to put the books down, and pack away the instruments until next term. Or is it?
Should your child stop playing music over the summer just because school is out? Does it really matter if you drop music practice as part of your more relaxed summer routine?
“But we need to give them a break” we hear you cry! And, we hear you – everyone definitely needs time off, and we hope that you and your family can reap the benefits of some proper R&R this summer. But here’s the thing. If that musical instrument or piano sheet music is stashed in the cupboard the moment term ends, and doesn’t reappear until the night before the first lesson back (we’ve all been there), there’s far more at stake than a horrible evening of frantic how-can-it-sound-like-I-practised-my-instrument-in-the-last-six-weeks practice.
Stop wasting your money
All teachers agree – the work that’s undone by pupils not touching their instrument all summer means that tutors often end up re-teaching the previous half term’s work. So all that time, effort and money that went on the latter half of the summer term is pretty much null and void. Your child is frustrated when they can’t seem to play things they could a few months ago, and all the money you’ve spent ends up down the drain. If practice is dropped, you end up paying for those lessons twice. Now is the time to think – have I been wasting my money paying for music lessons? And if you have – what small changes can I make to reap massive rewards?
A Fresh Approach
At the end of the year, you all really do need a break. Make sure you schedule a week or two completely away from the instrument, but after that, it’s good to have a plan of what they’d like to play during the rest of the summer.
- Suggest your child plays what they enjoy – Summer playing gives you the opportunity to ensure any pressure is removed. Your child can indulge in their favourite pieces, or explore certain styles or challenges which don’t have to lead to technical progress in the same way – but keep them physically playing their instrument so that they don’t lose the facility and ability to play.
- Check in with your teacher! Some teachers can offer a brief check-in online during the summer. Having a small amount of contact can really boost productivity because there’s something to aim for. If they don’t already offer it, why not ask?
- Try out our online supervised practice sessions! Practice Pal’s mentored practice sessions means that we take away the battle between you and your child. Professional musicians listen into their practice, offering encouragement and help. You’ll see progress rocket while kids get a positive, fun experience with their instrument over the summer – and beyond!
Summer practice doesn’t have to be a struggle. With a couple of small adjustments, your child can flourish during this time and hit the ground running in September.
A new kind of music practice – that works
Why not give our online supervised practice a go this Summer? We’re here to transform the music education experience for everyone. Our practice mentors want children to love practising their instrument, and are full of encouragement and fun. Sessions reports keep guardians and teachers in the loop, so that you get to see the progress your child is making – whether that’s trying out new pieces for summer, or working towards an exam. They replace the practice frustration with fun and you can be involved without the being the practice police. See your child love learning music this summer.
