Repetition Practice Tip - Mozart’s Memo - Volume 61
2025 Spring Piano Recital
Is your child signed up for our Spring Recital? This is our celebration of the year - you will not want to miss it! It is over the weekend of June 6, 7 & 8, 2025. It is fun for all students, beginning and seasoned, and for all ages, even our youngest 3 year olds. We hope you can join us!
Practice Tip
Favorite practicing quote, "Don’t just practice until you get it right, practice until you can’t get it wrong.” — but let’s face it, most kids don’t naturally love doing the same thing over and over. That’s where a little creativity can help turn practice into play. Here is something you can do at home to help with repetitious practicing. Take a cup and place 20 numbered popsicle sticks inside (1–20). Have your child choose one of the sticks. and that number corresponds to the activity below. Plan to choose several sticks for each practice session.
Start at the lowest part of the piano. Play the song or section of song as perfectly as possible. Then go to the next octave or register and play it again. Continue until you reach the top of the piano.
Start with the last two measures and play perfectly. Then start one measure before, play to the end, perfectly. Continue adding one more measure each time you play.
Roll a die, (or two dice,) to determine how many times to play. If you roll a one, (or “snake eyes,”) roll again.
Think of two or three different characters from a story, then play the piece like each character.
Play twice with contrasting tempos. (Slow and Fast)
Play twice with contrasting dynamics.
Play once with every note very connected (legato) and once with every note bouncy (staccato).
Play every other measure. Then play again and play the measure previously skipped.
Play each line in random order.
Find random things to wear, such as a hat, sunglasses, sweater and so on. Then play the song while wearing each item. One time for each item.
Play the piece while making a silly face.
Play the piece with your eyes closed or with one eye closed.
Think of an animal and play the piece like that animal.
Build a snack - each repeat gives part of a snack, a cracker, slice of apple, etc.
Build a lego toy - each repeat gives a lego piece to build a toy.
Color a picture - each repeat gives a color to add to a picture.
Choose a note in the song. When you play through the piece, Instead of playing that note, clap it.
Play the piece while standing up.
Pretend you are performing. Introduce yourself, play as well as you can, then stand up and bow.
Set a timer for one or two minutes and see how many times you can play perfectly in that time.
Let me know how this activity works for your child. What ways have helped your child get repetitions in their practicing?
2025 Friends and Family Discount - Refer a friend or family member to our online piano lessons and you both get $25 off your next month when they start lessons.
Your Comments And Questions
We want to hear from you! What questions do you have? What do you like best about this memo? How has our online lessons benefitted your child? Please leave your questions and comments below or email Pam directly at misspam@moveovermozart.net