Anybody can learn notes and counts (and you should certainly learn those first) but those who can make beautiful music spend extra time on understanding a piece. Learn about the composer and the time period in which it was composed, and see if you can discover the back story to the composition. Highlight the dynamics and don’t be afraid to add a few of your own.

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Be encouraging. Novelist Fredrik Backman said, “A simple truth, repeated as often as it is ignored, is that if you tell a child it can do absolutely anything, or that it can’t do anything at all, you will in all likelihood be proven right.” Encouragement at home goes a long way toward successful lessons and learning. Create opportunities for performance and applause.

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When a student has not practiced during the week, I often have the student practice during his lesson time. To turn this session into an actual lesson, I listen to how he is practicing and work with him on better practice techniques. It is a really good time to teach a student what it means to “practice” and not just play. Playing and practicing are two different things.

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Once the decision has been made, the teacher should ask you to fill out a student information form. This gives the teacher your contact information and some additional information (such as allergies or challenges) about your child. Also at the time of commitment, the teacher may ask for you to sign an enrollment contract. Some teachers may even ask for a deposit or the first month’s tuition.

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Adjudications can be non-competitive or competitive, depending on the organization and event. Sometimes an adjudicated (judged) event can be designed so that the winner receives a place at an honors recital and/or a monetary or trophy award. The Music Teachers National Association holds annual adjudications in which students are given great feedback from a professional adjudicator.

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