Parent responsibilities

Parent role in the lesson

  • Please arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before your lesson.
  • If needed, assist your child with unpacking his or her cello.
  • Please sit behind your child and take complete notes, preferably with pencil and paper. Use my practice charts to take lesson notes – they help with staying organized and practicing at home.
  • This is my time to work with your child, so there should be no interruption unless asked.
  • Pay on time.
  • The parent that practices with the child at home, or the “home teacher,” should attend every lesson.

Parent role at home

  • Practice regularly with your child — 5-7 days per week.
  • Use my practice and listening charts for motivation and to stay organized and engaged in practice.
  • Choose a regular practice time — preferably in the mornings when your child is not tired.
  • On busy days, remember that a short practice is better than not practicing at all!
  • Listen to the CD daily.
  • Display an interest in your child’s practice and stay engaged!
  • Learn how to tune the cello.
  • Do not allow your child to progress beyond my speed.
  • Use specific praise, not general praise.
  • Praise the smallest progress! Playing the cello is not easy, so their perseverance depends on positive reinforcement. Remember – it is a marathon, not a sprint.
  • Make it fun!