How do you help a student learn to play an instrument that you don’t know how to play? CAP Teaching Artist Fellow in Strings Joshua Stone knows the answer.
Josh has been teaching music to young children since he was in high school, and today provides string instruction at multiple schools and sites and leads the CAP String Orchestra. We asked him to share a bit of the wisdom he’s picked up along the way.
Josh in class, Florida Music Education Association
Parents and families often ask me how to help their young musician at home. It’s tough when you aren’t a musician yourself. Here are my best tips.
Make sure they are learning their instruments the correct way at home.
Students can do more than you think. A lot of times, adults will inadvertently set limits on children based on what we think they’re capable of. They have the capacity to put in the hard work. So don’t let them get away with “Close enough!”
I always tell my students, “Get good at playing good, don’t get good at playing bad.” Of course, if families don’t know what that looks like, it can be hard. I recommend looking up tutorials on YouTube. Find a good video of someone playing the instrument or piece your child is working on, and watch it together. That way you’ll know what it’s supposed to look and sound like.
Also, the book Essential Elements for Strings is popular and useful. It’s been around since I was in school. It’s the Bible for band and strings.
Keep an eye on their posture.
Setting up a correct process and correcting posture as it occurs every single time is vitally important. It facilitates better bow control, finger dexterity and overall instrument handling.
Pay attention to the posture of the musicians in the instructional videos you choose. A musician’s posture also affects their breathing and body resonance, which in turn influences the tone and projection of the instrument.
On stage with CAPSO at CAP’s 2024 Performing Arts Showcase, photo by Sindy Gonzalez
Figure out a practice schedule.
I can always tell when a student hasn’t opened their case a single time at home. Find a daily 30-minute block of time and set it aside as practice time. You get up, you brush your teeth, you get dressed — make it part of your routine. And make them stick with it, if they’re serious.
However, if it’s consistently a struggle to get them to practice, that’s a sign that this instrument may not be for them. And that’s okay! In that case…
Stick with it — or stick with something else.
I always recommend to parents to say, “Stick with it through this year, and then you can decide if you want to quit.” Often, they’re just having a hard time getting started or getting into that routine. You may find that by the end of the schoolyear, your student will be doing better and enjoying themselves more because they feel more competent.
They should enjoy playing their instrument. They should want to play at home. Forcing it will make you both miserable! I’m just happy that they gave it a shot. But if it’s really time to quit, replace it with something else meaningful. For instance, if they really like being in music class, they could assist backstage. Or maybe a different instrument will get them more excited. Explore other ways for them to be a part of something they love.
Everyone has their thing. Find out what you like. If that doesn’t work, move on and find your niche. And then get good at it.
