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| Schroeder needs to practice, too. |
A Suzuki Teacher Tries a
Practice Challenge
Alright everyone, the secret is out.
My horrible, terrible secret.
I have never done a practice challenge.
Never. Not in my whole life.
A Suzuki teacher--with a bachelor's and
master's degree in cello--who's never done a practice challenge?
Who ever heard of such a thing?
This year, I think I am finally ready to do my first practice
challenge. In fact, I'm already finished
with fifteen days of my planned 200. But
before I get much further into the project, I I think I should try to
understand why I have avoided practice challenges all these years.
As a child, I hated the prospect of practicing every day. I liked to play the piano, and later the
cello, but practice was hard work and was sometimes very frustrating. What a terrible thought, to be trapped behind
an instrument day after day! My elders
would encourage me with Suzuki's famous phrase, "Practice only on the days
that you eat!" but I thought they were only trying to trick me with a
clever joke. I knew I did not have the
dedication I would need to do something so difficult every day.
Now, as a trained Suzuki teacher, I know Dr. Suzuki had much more in mind
for children than their ability to play their instruments. Suzuki said:
"Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens, noble human
beings. If a child hears fine music from
the day of his birth, and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity,
discipline and endurance. He gets a
beautiful heart."
How on earth could the heavy weight of a practice challenge help a child
get a "beautiful heart"?
Part of the answer came to me while reading an article by Tom Yang called
"Compound Interest, Every Day Practice and Review" which appeared in
the Spring 2013 issue of the American Suzuki Journal, in which Mr. Yang
describes a complete beginner who practices every day. "Because Bob's sessions are short (5
mins) and because the material is limited, he learns that practicing is not
a hard thing (emphasis mine)."
That was a new idea. Practice is not
a hard thing? But practice has always
been hard for me! And five minutes a day
is a preposterously short time. How can
anyone learn anything practicing so little?
Yet, I remembered something which happened to me recently. A few months ago, I discovered a set of
stairs along my jogging route. It is
very long and steep, and I thought I would try running up the steps. I became tired very quickly, and because I
was only running for enjoyment, I took many long breaks. However, two weeks ago, I found myself at the
top of the stairs much sooner than usual.
Without meaning to do so, I had run the whole staircase without stopping
to rest. I was so surprised!
I hadn't forced my legs to do more than they could. When they wanted a rest, I gave it to them. But when my legs were ready, they easily
carried me the whole way! Suzuki must
have been asking us to follow our children's natural pace of growth when he
said "Don't force the child!" and "When the child looks up the
lesson is over!" Children grow, after
all!
What would happen if I practiced like Bob--with short sessions and
limited material--daily? Would
practicing become easy for me? After
all, deep down I am hoping that this 200-day challenge becomes something
bigger: becoming not only a practice challenge winner, might I eventually
transform into someone who practices every day?
I already have students of my own who do this.
After 19 years of music study, it's time to see what this everyday practice
thing is all about. After fifteen days
of daily practice, here are four things I've noticed so far:
It's a huge relief! I did not expect this. I didn't realize how much mental energy I
spent wrangling over the decision to practice on any given day. When things get hectic and my workload seems
impossible, it's reassuring to know that I am going to practice and improve my cello playing today.
Some days are better than others. Some days I'm eager and I make
great progress. Some days I have no
motivation at all. Some days I actually
get worse. But, after fifteen days, I
haven't yet had a day in which I haven't discovered something--yes, I mean
it--exciting about the cello, the music I am playing, or myself.
I have a plan. I write down what I've done at the
end of each day and keep charts which tell me what I still need to do in my
pieces and in my technical work. I can
increase my work if I'm falling behind.
I can also adjust to good days and bad days because I have a range of
activities to choose from.
It IS easy. To get myself started, I
leave the cello out of its case (in a safe spot) and I listen to recordings to
warm up my musical brain. I make my job
small and specific enough that I can give my whole focus to it. When my focus is waning, I change my activity
or I stop. I don't worry when I can't
succeed right away. Growing takes time,
and maybe tomorrow I will have a new idea.
Overall, I am making steady progress, which gives me motivation.
That's what I know for now. I'll
check in again with an update on this particular topic somewhere around day
50. In the meantime, look for upcoming
submissions from other members of our faculty.
Thank you for reading our blog, and I hope your time at CYM is spent
happily and well!
-Mr. Ryan Ash, CYM Cellist
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