Throw the rear view mirror out the window . . .

My online personal trainer, Jonathan Roche, http://www.momentumfs.com is always telling the callers on his radio program to "throw the rear view mirror out the window." Basically, don't beat yourself up over what's happened in the past. This is a talk I'd like to give all the Suzuki parents I work with this time of year. Yes, it would be great if we were all the "perfect" Suzuki students/parents and practiced every day over the summer, listened to our recordings daily and so on. But, the reality is that life happens & summer gets busy. Everyone leaves the school year schedule behind in one way or another and we shouldn't beat ourselves up over it. (That's not to say we can't learn from our experience and plan better for next time though!) Every lesson I teach this time of year starts with this topic . . . I feel like I listen to a string of confessions about how everyone fell short.

I am a Suzuki teacher, but I am also a mother of a middle schooler and a grade schooler and I am right there with all those parents. My children probably practice more than many over the summer but I also feel that we could have done better. However, sometimes those feelings get in the way of being able to focus on what our goals are now and make us feel unmotivated about a new school year of studying music. I say its time to stop looking at what we did or didn't do over the summer and really work on what we did well and what our goals are for the coming year!

Back to School List for Music Students

It's that time of year again. In our house we are finishing up all the last minute doctor and dentist appointments and getting everything we need on the back to school supply list at our local Target. This year it got me thinking what kind of back to school list is needed for my violin and viola students. Here are some things that come to mind:

1. Strings: for a beginning and intermediate student it is good to change the strings of your instrument at least every year (sometimes more often depending on how long you practice). Check with your teacher first, as I always recommend students hold out on that purchase if they are likely to go up to the next size in the next month or two.

2. Rehairing your bow: this is also a good idea once a year. (Younger students often outgrow their instrument before this is really necessary.)

3. Check your Rosin: if your Rosin is dried out or broken into little bits (or has been eaten by the family dog - which happened to one of my students) now is a good time to invest a new block of Rosin.

4. Clean out your music folder/bag: As the summer is coming to an end, I am noticing lots of music bags and folders stuffed with crumpled and wrinkled old papers and books that aren't being used anymore. It can be a great feeling to clean out all the extras - it may even be easier to practice without a lot of extra books and papers getting in the way.

5. Practice Notebook: I ask my students to bring a practice notebook or binder to each lesson. While you're at the store getting all those other school supplies it might be a great time to get a new notebook to start off the year fresh.

I would love to hear any other ideas you have about how to get ready for a new school year of lessons.

New Blog

Greetings!

I am hoping this blog will help increase communications and give valuable information to my students and anyone else who could benefit from it. Feel free to make any suggestions about what you would enjoy seeing here.