“I have noticed that my student has difficulty getting started with her practice for the first few days after a lesson. I’m wondering if she is overwhelmed. Do you have any suggestions?”
This is a great question! It is easy to underestimate the mental fatigue that comes with trying something new. The violin is a challenging instrument and there are many things that work together to produce good tone and good intonation. Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy was to focus on only one thing at a time. On some days, that means just listening to the recording while coloring. On other days, it means getting the violin out and trying our best. My favorite Suzuki teacher James Hutchins always says, “Don’t worry! We have plenty of time.” He’s right, I think; we don’t have to rush ourselves as we start to develop new habits. They come over time as we learn to listen and try new things in lessons and play together in group class. It’s a natural and gradual process over time.
“How does one avoid frustration during practice time”
Any technical skill that we are learning can become frustrating as adults, and the same is true for young children. Taking a break, taking some deep breaths, or switching to a new task can help. Practice often makes permanent, so taking a break to review earlier pieces is a great way to reinforce good habits and give relief from the pressure to master something new all at once. One of the best skills to model to our students is patience, with the gentle reminder that our goal is not perfection but beautiful music and wonderful friendships.