THE ROLE OF A MUSIC TEACHER
    teach how to practice
    teach how to learn on your own
    explain the purpose of exercises
    help you avoid re-inventing the wheel
    help you fix problems
    advise about relative difficulty of literature
    suggest appropriate literature and exercises
    spot problems and suggest solutions
    provide opportunities to play in public
    tell a student things that are not immediately obvious

HOW TO PRACTICE
    listen to yourself
    listen to good players
    immitation is the greatest form of flattery
    cultivate a feedback loop: from fingers and bow to ears to your brain
    90 percent perspiration
    play at least a little each day
    try for 30 minutes per day, then increase gradually
    know the reason for your exercises
    invent your own exercises to fix problems
    a little analysis goes a long way
    experiment: adjust things: see what happens
    practice and watch yourself in a mirror
    record your playing, and scrutinize
    practice with a metronome: fix tempo problems while by yourself
    practice includes PT for all muscles involved in playing
    play a viola too..... it builds strength


Music Lessons