In sixty seconds, Eric explains how to use a practice log to motivate students to practice more frequently and effectively.
“From time to time I’ll have a student in lesson that I can tell is not making the progress he/she should. Then I asked the dreaded question, ‘So tell me… how much time you spent practicing this week?’ That’s when his/her eyes fall on the floor or he/she stumbles around the question; or he/she may just laugh and say, ‘You know I haven’t practiced at all since last week.’ That’s whenever I pull out a physical paper practice log and ask the student to write down every practice time he/she puts in between this lesson and the next. The reason I do this is not to shame or berate the student. I do it so the practice log can serve as a mirror so the student can actually see how much time he or she is putting into practice. If students don’t practice they’re not going to progress, and if they don’t progress they’re not going to enjoy their instrument. It takes some effort to do the heavy lifting to get the skills necessary so that they can play and enjoy their instrument. Practice logs are a great way to help motivate your students and get them moving.”
Download Eric’s music practice log.