Mumsnet Talk

DD started violin a few weeks ago and has had three lessons.

She's only 6 and her teacher said she should practise most days but she doesn't and I haven't pushed it. She enjoys it so far but I think every day is too much and she seems to be doing fine on four or five days practice a week - e.g. she is already playing little tunes with three different note combinations in good time with the accompanying CD, and has memorised all the tunes so far e.g. played this week's new tune without looking at the music after one extra practise post lesson (she has a good memory).

Surely this is at least what would be expected so can we stick with fewer practise sessions a week? I don't want it to become a chore.

Sorry don't know why i put most days, she said every day.

Is that meant to link to a website musicmaps?

Regular but short practice sessions - 20 minutes most days. That's as long as most 6 year olds can concentrate

I think a break of two consecutive days produces the greatest results. The brain needs time to assimilate what it's learnt and it needs a break to do this. I'd suggest no practice at the weekend and just practice 5 days in the week. I'd also suggest sitting in on the practice as it will get done faster!

Thanks for this advice.
I'm reassured that 5 days a week is fine. It gives us breathing space also if we have a very busy day sometimes e.g. an outing.

I sit in Colleger because then I can sound all appreciative and encouraging but I haven't a clue whether she is really playing correctly or not. It sounds right with the CD though.

I'm quite impressed that she memorised the tunes so quickly! She went oh yes this one is 'DDAGADGAADAD' or whatever it was and then didn't look at the music again. I think she got my brain cells through the placenta as I have none left and can't remember the easiest things anymore .

We started violin lesson since September. We did 5 or 6 days a week, but only 8-10 minutes everytime,2minutes for scales, play each little pieces 2-4 times roughly ,depends.I think it is enough for young beginners. I know a 5 years old kid just started instrument lesson practiced at least 1 hour a day and I don't know what do they do.

At that age we were told 4-5 days/wk 5-10 minutes each time.

I played the violin and I practised every day at that age, but only for about ten minutes a time. I think every day is quite good in some ways if you think your DD is likely to continue as it's setting up good habits. I wouldn't let her have more than a day off a week, maybe a week night when she does some other class (if she does). Two days seems OK, too.

Also, even if she can remember the tune of what she's playing, it would be a good idea for her to follow the music and look at it as she plays - reading music fluently is a skill she will need if she wants to take it as far as taking exams or similar.