Helping Parents Practice: Ideas for Making It Easier [Paperback]

Edmund Sprunger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2005

This book is a response to the most common concerns of parents who practice a musical instrument with their children. Even though its 270 pages may seem overwhelming at first, the book is accessible and readable for busy parents because it's written in small, easily managed sections. Most of these sections are only 2-4 pages long. And not all parents will need to read all sections order for the book to be useful. These smaller sections are grouped into four main chapters. The first chapter, "Decoding" responds to the question "Why won't my child listen to me when I give the exact same directions the teacher gave?" Among other things, the section helps parents understand the natural differences between the parent-child relationship and the teacher-child relationship, and how these differences enter the practice arena. This section also lays out one of the main themes of the book: the goal of practice isn't to correct and fix things, it's to grow skills. The reason you practice isn't so that if you try really hard you can do it; it's so that the playing grows to the point where it's so easy that it happens automatically. In other words, the goal of practice is to make it easier (hence the subtitle).

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Yes Publishing (2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976785439
• ISBN-13: 978-0976785439
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes violin practice fun, the Suzuki way, January 29, 2006

By 

Elizabeth Kay Pinder - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Helping Parents Practice: Ideas for Making It Easier (Paperback)

Helping Parents Practice, Vol. 1

By Edmund Sprunger

Daily practicing with parents' assistance is an essential component of Suzuki violin lessons. It's as essential as having lessons with a certified Suzuki violin teacher. But, wait a minute... Suzuki teachers are certified, so where does that leave parents? Who teaches parents how to practice with their young violinist? After reading Dr. Suzuki's book, Nurtured by Love, I got a good sense of the method Dr. Suzuki recommended. I also get many cues from my young violinists' teacher. But what about the nitty-gritty, the daily grind, the nuts and bolts of practicing that we must do in the appropriate manner every day, so that our great Suzuki violin teachers' work is not undone by the time the next lesson rolls around?

The book, Helping Parents Practice, by Edmund Sprunger, is a great guidance resource for us brave parents who want continue Dr. Suzuki's wonderful method in our homes. Mr. Sprunger, a Suzuki teacher for over 20 years and active member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (and also has degrees in psychotherapy from U. of Michigan), has realized that parents all over the U.S. begin to relax when find they are not alone in their struggles with practicing with their kids. Mr. Sprunger offers this terrific book as a reference book, and recommends "reading just the sections that address your immediate needs." Great news, he says, "You don't have to read the entire book for it to make sense...You're a parent. I know you're busy."

What does Mr. Sprunger address in his book? Practice basics: Keep The Focus on Making Things Easier; Talk About What's Working...And Repeat It; Shoot One Arrow At a Time; Ask-Don't Tell; Guardrails, Not Handcuffs; Don't Just Do Something, Stand There; Look For Opportunities t Play Games and Have Fun; Imagine Practicing With Your Parent...

Did he say "Imagine practicing with your parent"? That one really brought me to my kids' level!

Did he say "Play Games and Have Fun"??? I checked that section out and found it very useful. I have used several of his games, which can include a deck of playing cards or drawing with markers and paper (Every time he plays the passage correctly, the violin student gets to add a petal to the flower or a branch to the tree - my 7-year-old son loves this game!). Drawing during practice?? Yes, and it is so much fun. Fun - practice-- fun for the mom and the violinist? Yes!

Another method he recommends is the ticket method: Parent gets four tickets. During that practice time, any time the parent says something critical (in a very nice way, of course), the violinist takes a ticket. Once the four tickets are used up, the parent can only make positive comments!! This makes for a very happy practice for the violinist and is very effective as a bargaining tool when the violinist doesn't feel like practicing that day.

The book also has quotes interspersed throughout. The quotes are taken from a variety of people, including a pediatrician, a U.S. President, a Japanese garden designer, and even Fred Rogers! These quotes continue the loving, gentle and enlighteneing tone of the book.

I hope everyone who reads this review will purchase and use a copy of this book. Your violinist will love you for it, you'll love yourself for it, and your Suzuki teacher will definitely love you for it! (Mr. Sprunger will probably also love you for it!)

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must buy if you are a Suzuki Parent, October 14, 2007

By 

Carrie Magill (St Louis, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Helping Parents Practice: Ideas for Making It Easier (Paperback)

This book is excellent!!

I wish I had it with my first little Suzuki student instead of the fourth.

This book helps you get through the daily struggles and gets you to a new place of joy. He seems to know that somedays your child is laying on the floor (you know what I am talking about) and helps you get them back up.

Every page has hints, tricks and insight into your ultimate goals of daily practice. Trust me buy this book. It is worth every penny.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great advice for parenting in general, March 14, 2010

By 

Oona Martin (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Helping Parents Practice: Ideas for Making It Easier (Paperback)

Let's be frank: supervising your kids violin practice can be stressful! This book has LOTS of helpful suggestions for making practice more fun, relaxing, and productive. I also find lots of Sprunger's advice to be helpful for parenting in general. Focus on what the child is dong right, rather than what is wrong. Pare down your comments. Let your child have some control. Written by a wise and gentle spirit.