Teaching Diary - The meaning of practice (1)

Children usually do not know the meaning of  "practice". They may think playing a piece once or several times means "they are practicing". Actually,  "repeat" does not mean "practice". 

To let students know the true meaning of practice, we need to build up their sense of pitch, rhythm and musicianship in the lessons. For example, a violin student needs to know the pitch of each note or sing the melody out in order to have a clear picture of melodic contour; teachers discuss the musical elements and the interpretation of a piece with students to let them know how to perform. Gradually, they will think critically and have the sense of aesthetic. Then they will know what to improve during practice. "Know what to improve" is very important when it comes to "practice".  

The student in the video know how to practice by himself now after few months. In this video, the student was sight-reading a piece. He shouted suddenly because he played the wrong notes. Good observation!