STUDENT QUESTIONS

QUESTION 2

Mrs. George I just read your article on being efficient with practicing and I would like to answer the question that were on your website and ask you for any advice you might have on it.

Question A: Being able to play an impressive piece that people enjoy listening to. I like to show off songs that I have worked very hard on.This gives me the feeling of accomplishment. My problem comes with the accomplishing part.

Question B: Finding the time to sit down and practice (remembering to practice) has always been a problem for me.Every week when I am given an assignment to do I tell myself and my teacher that I will definitely practice everyday. I begin with great intentions of having my assignment and more accomplished so that I can impress my teacher. Suddenly it's Thursday (my lesson day) again. I started off with the goal and determination to finish everything and I end up with nothing done and yet another zero at my lesson. Even when I have an assignment sheet I somehow never look at it again until the day of my lesson.

Chelsea, age 15

MARY GAE GEORGE answers:

Your comments bring up some important issues, and I thank you for raising them.

Please keep in mind that I am responding to a few sentences you wrote to me; if I knew you and had the opportunity to observe your work over the last few years, I might have additional (or different) things to say to you. But here goes!

From your statements, I assume that you do indeed enjoy playing the piano, and that you want to please your family, teacher, and friends by accomplishing impressive results with your study.

You also state that a whole week can go by without your getting to the piano.

The two issues that I want you to think about are these:

1. We must have OUR OWN reasons for doing something (in addition to pleasing others)

2. We must learn how to manage our time, and use it to fulfill our best intentions.

To help you gain awareness of just how your time is being spent, I want you to keep a daily Time Use Chart. It can be very simple, just an outline such as this:
A.M.
8 - 9 arrived at school, talked to friends
9 - 10 English class
10 - 11 Math class
11 - 12 Science class
P.M.
12 - 1 lunch, visit with friends
1 - 2 Study hall: read a magazine; thought about the prom
2 - 3 History class
3 - 4 arrived home; had snack; called fiends
4 - 5 can't remember what I did
5 - 6 did English homework for 15 minutes
6 - 7 dinner; more telephone calls
You get the idea!

But when you are finished, count up the amount of time you spent
• in class
• doing homework
• social activities
• unaccounted for time
You may be pleasantly surprised that there is much more time available to you than you realized.

The next step is to plan a day completely, using the same kind of Time Use Chart. Include your school time, your homework, your practicing, and your social contacts. Promise me you will follow the plan to the letter! At the end of the day, count up how much you accomplished compared to the unplanned day.

It may take you a few days to become accustomed to planning your time carefully and sticking to the plan. But from what you wrote to me, I know you will be pleased with what you can accomplish. Remember, it is not necessary, or even advisable, to cut out all social contacts and relaxing activities. Use them as a way to pace your schedule; just know when to return to the schedule.

Now about the first issue: Having your own reasons for doing something, and doing it well.

Make a list of all the reasons why you want to play the piano. Also list the things you gain from your music study (like increased powers of concentration, attention to detail, improved memory, appreciation of beauty and order, self confidence, higher IQ, efficient study habits -- to name just a few).

Then, from your Time Use Chart, calculate how much time you need each week for your lesson and your practice. When you compare this to other activities, you will see that it is not a major investment in quantity, but it certainly is in quality.

As you practice, notice the benefits and accomplishments you see happening, and enjoy the feeling. If you encounter difficulty in your work, tell your teacher about it and follow her advice for overcoming the problem.

It may also help you to grade each practice session in a way that is meaningful to you. Just a "happy face" or "not-so-happy face" will suffice. The point is to become aware, watch yourself at work, cheer yourself on to become the best you can be.

Keep all this as simple as possible, Chelsea, but pay attention to it!

I will look forward to your report on these activities.

I wish you great success and self-discovery, Chelsea.