When taking music lessons one is looking to grow musically in a variety of ways — knowledge, technique, confidence, and repertoire formation to name a few. This is why we have updated our Music Artistry Student Progression. We hope that it will better serve as a tool to help our students advance in their musical skills.
How to Get Started – Considerations for Practice.
A great way to start using the chart is to reference the suggested practice times for each level. Practice time lengthens with each level to maintain consistent progress and accommodate the increased attention and focus students develop as they progress in age. Of course, the suggested practice times are less an exact science and more of a thoughtful guideline, and as always, quality trumps quantity when it comes to practice (See our article on mindful practice here). We know life can be busy; you may find there are seasons of the year where it is easier to reach the suggested practice goals. That is why we suggest checking in with your teacher at various times throughout the year. It is our aspiration as music educators to help you set attainable goals and corresponding practice plans, so that growth is a result of time spent with your instrument feeling more challenged and less stressed.
How to Get Started – Considerations for Performing.
A second point of interest on our Music Artistry Student Progression is the order in which we suggest adding our different performance opportunities. This order is based on the atmosphere and recommended repertoire of each performance type. This section of the chart can be especially useful if your student is looking for where to begin performing and building their confidence on stage. You can find more about each of our performance opportunities here.
A Recipe – not a formula.
The Music Artistry Student Progression is less like a formula and more like a recipe. Each ingredient may vary a bit based on the student and sometimes even the day. We not only understand but celebrate that each person is unique. May this progression be a recipe for both consistent growth and joyful music making in your household!
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