Don’t rush… practice pays off

Have you fallen into the trap of quickly rushing to the next thing? As music teachers we feel the pressure of teaching the curriculum, making sure we check off all the specific learner outcomes, producing an amazing concert…and the list goes on. I get it and I have been there many times.

However, I have learned over the years that allowing my students more time to practice and more time to fully understand how to read the notes, how to recognize intervals in a particular song, and how to play their part within a small group or the whole class in the long run is way more rewarding than trying to complete as many songs as possible. Then, when you are ready to move to that next song, your students will feel confident because they already feel success with the piece that was just completed and you can build on those skills and understanding.

I have found over the years that I can pull SO MUCH out of one song when it comes to teaching pitch, rhythm, melody, harmony, listening, reading, playing your part within a group. I have also discovered that when students have time to practice in class outside of the large group instruction, that they are able to discover new things about the notes or the song that they may have not noticed while participating in the large group instruction. Designating “practice time” as part of your class also allows students to give or receive help from a peer as they work together. That will help solidify those fundamental music theory concepts for them. During this practice time, this also allows you as the teacher to work one-on-one with the students who need more help, or provide challenges for the students who get it right away. Practice time pays off, and it is so valuable. Make time for it, it’ll be worth it!

If you’re jumping into the Ukulele for Children method for the first time, don’t rush. Take your time and enjoy the musical rewards that it will bring.