Review Challenge Recap

Here is what I've seen from the review challenge these past few weeks:

1. Playing more makes everything better. It makes us a better player, it provides joy, it builds accuracy and comfort, it builds confidence and understanding.

2. A challenge gives us motivation to do things outside our comfort zone or beyond what we think we are capable of.

3. The review challenge has inspired students who wouldn't play certain pieces, for whatever reason, to play them, even if they are hard and even if they could only do a little bit.

4. Having pieces that we can play well, play easily, play by memory and by heart brings out the true joy of playing music. I have seen an ease develop these past few weeks and students settle into what is now easy and play with so much musicality and intention.

5. Keeping track and having a visual representation of our progress can be a very strong resource and motivator. 

6. Knowing exactly what you are going to play or start practice with is an incredible tool. This not only helps to solidify the habit of daily practice when you know exactly what you have to do, but also allows for a snowball effect of doing more, simply because you have started.

7. I have seen students realize that there are more moments in the day to play/practice than what they thought and have been creative in finding these moments.

As a Suzuki Teacher and Parent, this list is not a surprise to me as I write it down, However it is one thing to know it to be true, and another thing to experience it and see the growth first hand.

This challenge has changed the way my girls play at home. It has changed how we practice for the better. They have been excited to earn their stickers and feel their pieces get easier over the weeks. They are proud of themselves. What more could we as parents ask for?

I think we can agree that all the students had a wonderfully successful recital today and that was not by accident. That was through a lot of playing and practice, commitment to trying their best and the support of family through it all.

Just because the challenge is over doesn't mean we need to lose the new habits we have started (although we know that practice success can come in waves and that's ok too). I have many more ways to continue earning over the next few weeks, especially as we start preparing for the May 4th Recital.

Keep collecting, keep playing, and keep having fun learning the violin!