When will the change from simply "playing" a piece of music transfer to "performing" a piece of music?
Watch for these little signs:
- What once sounded mechanical, now sounds graceful and energetic
- Your child/student is now so comfortable with the technique of the piece that the nuances of the piece change everytime they play it
- The musical piece becomes like an "old friend" to the child/student. They are happy to pick up their instrument and go through it
How To Inspire, Motivate, and Reward Your Child/Student:
- Remember that positive and specific verbal praise speaks volumes (i.e. "Your tone was beautiful today!" "The scales in the Haydn piece were so clean and I think all your practice on those really paid off")
- Music should be part of your environment and should be organically playing at reasonable times of the day. We have so many wonderful digital devices now that it is easy to keep classical music streaming as well as folk, bluegrass, jazz, or any other genre you and your family enjoy
- Repetition is our friend and a key part of stepping from intellectual playing to emotional playing is playing the piece/movements over and over again. Kids will take their cue from you regarding repetition. Remember to make that repetition fun and creative! ("I'll bet you can play that scale ten times correctly" "Let's hear what your piece sounds like when you play in the bathroom/closet/foyer")
- We could talk about buying that new instrument for you now/getting concert tickets for that rock concert you wanted to go to/having that sleepover with all your friends/going to music camp
