If you are like most of my parents, you have to make a point to remind your kids to practice the violin. While their friends may be outside on a skateboard or bicycle, they may be practicing tuning the violin or memorizing a new scale. Although playing and listening to music is fun, learning how to play the Suzuki violin is challenging. The beginning stages are like a roller coaster, with a lot of ups and downs. However, by making the Suzuki lessons and practice time more fun, your kids will learn faster and more effectively. Plus, you won’t waste time fighting about practicing or attending lessons.
Themed Lessons to Holidays and Pop Culture
It goes without saying that if you can tie what’s going on around you, your community, and the world into the lessons as well as practice time, it will be more relevant. For example, if it is around a particular patriotic holiday, find a way to learn a song or a portion of a song that is geared towards that holiday. If the song is too difficult for your child, perhaps it is a possibility of doing a duet or trio with multiple musicians, including the teacher and student to play and/or sing along. You can do something similar with Valentine’s Day and other popular holidays too. To kick it up a notch, you can make it like a game show. Currently, there are many reality shows with children and adults with great musical talent. Instead of ‘American Idol’, you could role-play ‘Violinist Idol’ or something similar. You could find judges, prices, and the like.
Play New Sheet Music – Something the Kids Like
Even though the basics of learning any musical instrument like the Suzuki violin are taught through simple songs, you can add in something the kids like. If you dash in a bit of what is popular, the kids will learn faster and more effectively. Just like you can break up a traditional song into a duet or trio as well as playing and singing parts, you can do the same with popular Boundway tunes or songs from the radio. You can score the latest sheet music as well as classics for affordable prices online. Maybe your child wants to play like the back-up bands of Sting or Maroon 5. Then, getting some of the sheet music of these artists makes sense. And, it’s fun!
Change Things Up with Online Classes
We have all become accustomed to the new normal of online classes, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have some fun with online classes. Just like in-person classes change things up a bit with field trips or changing the seating chart. You can do the same by changing your place where your children attend online violin lessons. Most likely, they typically attend from a bedroom or an at-home music room. However, why not go outside in the backyard or to the balcony for a change of scenery? Many musical artists do this for inspiration. It will do the same for your kids.
Do a Dress Rehearsal
Once a certain level of mastery of a certain skill, song, or genre, there should be a concert. In this day and age of few in-person events, you can do the same virtually with a dress rehearsal. Why not get dressed up in a suit and tie or a professional dress? Use this as your children’s dress rehearsal for playing in an orchestra concert in the near future. A suggested touch is having flowers as well as an online audience with applause for the dress rehearsal.
If you make violin lessons more fun, the lessons become more effective. Music is like everything else in life. When it is fun, it feels effortless. Try the above ways to make your Suzuki violin lessons a bit different. I bet you’ll notice an improvement in performance as well as attitude.
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