Little notebook

Some people are great at remembering things.

They know exactly what their teacher asked them to work on.

Others are useless at remembering things.

They use it as an excuse to work on nothing all week.

Which kind of person are you?

Hmmmm. I thought so.

Why not buy a little notebook?

Ask your teacher to write your homework in it each week.

Read it before you start each practise session.

And try to do everything on the list.

Remember to take it to each lesson.

Let me know if it works for you. Hz

When does the fun start?

Snow has made the town grind to a halt this week.

Everyone has been having fun sliding down hills.

We work hard to climb up the hill so we can have fun whizzing down.

Now, imagine dragging all your family and friends on a sledge UP a mountain.

Tough work and you might not make it.

Why would we choose to make things SO hard?

When we put off our practising for another day

we make it so much harder to get going again.

When we work little and often at something each day

we really do see things progressing and that's when the fun can start.

Brrrrrrr.......time for a spin. Keep warm. Hz

Just do it now

Why do you avoid it?

You always put off your practising.

You say you'll do it later.

After watching tv.

After chores.

Then it gets too late.

You say you'll double up tomorrow.

You say you'll do lots of work at the weekend instead.

And then tomorrow or at the weekend you say the same.

How about you stop making excuses and JUST DO IT NOW?

Little and often works best. Just do that. Hz

That new leaf

You know that new leaf I mentioned?

Well, here it is, come on and turn it over.

Shake last year's rain from it.

And look ahead into the New Year of 2010.

Imagine.....

YOU, practising every day.

No moaning, no grumbles, no excuses.

I know it's hard to believe.

365 days

But I know you can do it, starting in the morning.

Not too early! HAPPY NEW YEAR. Love, Hz

Check in

How did your practising go in 2009?

Come on, I heard how it went, so own up!

• Every day? I LOVE YOU!!!
• Three times a week? Well done, but can we double up?
• Only the night before your lesson? The stress is killing me.
• Once in a blue moon? Can you try doing 10 minutes a day?
• Never? Aghhhh!! Do we need to talk?

Better that's out of the way.

How about we try turning over a new leaf in 2010?

Day one is coming up!!

Go on - give that instrument a play. Hz

First

Some people do their practising in the morning.

Before school, work or college.

What a great way to start your day!

If everyone in your house is up and about, it might work for you.

Think about it - instead of practising when you are tired out

you will have done some good work, fresh as a daisy.

If this doesn't appeal, how about doing it as soon as you get home?

Instead of it being last on your list of things to do.

Instead of leaving it until you're too tired to care.

Instead of deciding not to bother today.

Find a good time to do your work. And the begin! Hz

Not just the night before

There were lots of tears here the other day.

Small person couldn't play any of their homework.

They got in such a state they could hardly play anything at all.

And ended up hurling the little violin onto the sofa.

Took a while to find out that - brace yourself -

They leave all their practising until the night before their lesson.

And spend the next day dreading that lesson.

The lesson is meant to be the highlight of your week.

Practise little and often, every day is best.

Hope you are getting to do the same.

Look forward to the time you spend with your instrument.

It's meant to be fun, not an ordeal! Hz

Listening in

I've heard some interesting music this week.

Can you hear how things are starting to progress?

A couple of weeks back in your routine and it's improving.

Makes everyone happy.

How it's meant to be.

So, how about spending a little more time on your scales?

And that little exercise your teacher asked you to do?

All these things will help you improve your sound.

Even just a few more minutes on them each day.

Bet you soon start hearing the difference. 

Go on. Happy practising. Hz

7 days a week

We all know that the idea is to do some practising each day.

That's 7 lovely times each week!

Instead of watching that clock tick round closer to your finish time

what we are aiming at is for -

THE POWER OF MUSIC TO TAKE OVER

and for you to start looking forward to these times.

Think of it - no more moaning!

Wouldn't that be wonderful! 

It could happen to you.

You might find yourself working beyond your recommended minutes or hours.

Come on - start today! Hz

What musicians do

How come you got into music?

How come you have an instrument in front of you?

For most people it was the experience of hearing a musical performance.

Radio, TV, Cd's, an old record collection, films ?

Buskers in the street, a concert, gig, music in a ceremony or celebration?

Walking past a house and hearing someone playing?

It sounded so wonderful you wanted to try.

Well, after trying, you've discovered that there's no secret, no magic wand that can be waved.

So this is just a reminder of what musicians do.

Musicians spend time practising.

You can do that too! Hz

Right now!

Well, of course your teacher's not happy!

Think of their day.

Listening to all the students who did nothing all Summer.

AND all those terrible excuses!

Must be the worst week of the year for them.

Your new routine looks like fun.

When are you going to start?

What do you mean tomorrow!

What's wrong with today?

Or even right now?

Go on! Run it past me. Hz