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“The Talent Code”, by Daniel Coyle is quite an interesting and enchanting book. It speaks to the importance of practice, that in order to turn information into a habit or a skill, we need to practice doing it many thousands of times.

According to Coyle, here’s how it works:  

To carry out an action or even to think a thought, the brain has to send instructions along the nerves.  It’s actually a biological fact that every time we fire a nerve circuit, it becomes coated with a thin layer of fat called myelin.  With each new layer of myelin, the circuit gradually becomes superbly fast and highly efficient. There is absolutely no getting around this biological process! So committing to a daily practice will actually help you learn more easily. 

As a music educator, I have found that the sooner families do this for their children, the more easily they learn which only helps them greatly in the long run. 

That’s why we’ve decided to start a new program at Aria Studios called the 100 Day Challenge.

It’s a very simple program: Just practice every single day for 100 consecutive days, keeping a record of each practice session so you don’t miss a day. 

Now, what constitutes a practice? 

Suzuki said, “Only practice on the days you eat”.

Well, of course there will be some days when fitting your practice in may feel challenging. But – if you’re up for the 100 Day Challenge, you must practice 100 days in a row, no exceptions. 

(and you really don’t want to miss a day, because if you do, you have to go back to the very beginning and start all over again!)

One suggestion for the harder days is to think small. Play through a song you have already learned and think specifically about musicality and phrasing. Or take one comment or suggestion your teacher gave you at your lesson and just work on that specifically. 

Another thing you can do is to listen to lots of your favorite types of music, to become inspired. It’s a great way to get yourself to practice, and although this does not replace practicing it will help you get motivated. 

If you go on vacation, no worries, you can still take the challenge. You just have to do a little research before you go! Most hotels have a lobby where they have a piano or keyboard. There may be a church nearby that would allow you to practice. If you have a keyboard you can take it with you.

The point here is that the 100 Day Challenge is a commitment. Learning your instrument comes with work. If you simply take away the option of whether or not to practice every day, that work, and the learning, becomes MUCH easier!

And parents - Once your child has made it to the 20 or 25 day mark without missing a day, you will find that you’ll no longer have to remind them to practice. You might even find that they look forward to their practice time!

One thing we know for certain is that this challenge WILL create a habit of practice. Your child WILL develop musically about 5 times faster than the average music student, and on top of all this they WILL enjoy practicing because they will be improving. They will feel a true sense of accomplishment.

So -- are you ready to start the 100 Day Challenge?  CLICK HERE to begin!

May
3/11/2013 04:01:39 am

Kai can't wait to do it! He is really excited about it! Great Idea!

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