| *Parents are the key to success - Parents are without | | | | reward them in some way. |
| a doubt the greatest teachers of all. As any teacher | | | | *Incentives - Its important to understand the difference |
| well knows without parents even our best efforts | | | | between an incentive and blackmail. Blackmail is forcing |
| have very little impact. Because we understand this so | | | | someone to do something that only serves you. An |
| well we have created this page to help you as a | | | | incentive is a positive way to encourages the individual |
| parent understand what your children should be doing | | | | in question to reach their potential. Using incentives with |
| to ultimately achieve success on the guitar. | | | | children helps them to eventually discover that practice |
| *Practice as a habit - By giving your children (especially | | | | has its own rewards. Instead of just taking your |
| young children) the choice of practicing or not, they will | | | | children to see a movie or buying them a Playstation |
| usually opt for not. Genuine practice in most cases is a | | | | game use them as incentives. |
| tedious and boring chore but a necessity. Think of | | | | *Starting at a young age 5 -7 years- The focus for |
| learning music like learning to read. The early stages | | | | young children is more on fun so as to build up positive |
| require concentration and are not particularly enjoyable. | | | | associations with the guitar. Learning guitar requires the |
| If young children were given a choice they probably | | | | development of fine motor skills, aural awareness |
| would rather watch TV and never learn to read. But | | | | (listening) and understanding. The fine motor skills for |
| later in life they would regret it. Fact is most parents | | | | guitar are slower to develop in a young child but the |
| work hard with their children teaching them to read | | | | work they do at this age pays off for them later. |
| and write. Music is no different. If you are serious about | | | | These skills are the same as learning to speak, read |
| your child learning music we highly recommend you get | | | | and write a language. You should expect their |
| involved. The first year is when they need you the | | | | development to be roughly the same. If your child |
| most. Children do not have the wisdom of adults and | | | | practices writing for 10 minutes a day you will notice |
| leaving the choice of what, when and how to practice | | | | gradual improvements overtime. Because children |
| to them will mostly result in them giving up. Overtime | | | | practice speaking language much more than reading or |
| children will make practice a habit. In almost every | | | | writing they develop speech faster. It is simply a |
| case where a child excels at guitar there is a very | | | | matter of practice. We would not expect a 5 year |
| supportive parent behind the scenes. | | | | child to write a novel but we do expect them to |
| *So what do they need? - Junior students will mostly | | | | communicate to a reasonable level. The early years |
| be working from two sources; | | | | are essentially foundation building and building the habit |
| Progressive Guitar Method Book 1 | | | | of practice. Do not expect too much just encourage |
| The G4GUITARMETHOD Student Folder | | | | and be aware of the time they spend on their practice. |
| These items are included in the starter kit. Additional | | | | *Listening - The music your children listen to plays a big |
| handouts will be given as require. | | | | role in their learning. If you want your child to appreciate |
| *As a parent what do I need to know about the | | | | and ultimately be passionate guitarists then you need |
| G4GUITARMETHOD? - In the front of their folder is a | | | | to expose them to guitar music. Instead of 2 hours of |
| Checklist. (open their folder and it should be the first | | | | TV or computer a day give them 30 minutes of music |
| page you see). This checklist will have a list of all the | | | | appreciation. Find music that features obvious guitar like |
| requirements for the current level. As a student | | | | Eric Clapton, Santana, The Beatles, Green Day etc... |
| progresses boxes will be ticked to show they have | | | | Why not try classical, flamenco or jazz guitar. Most |
| successfully executed a particular skill or song. | | | | libraries have a good range of CDs. Especially The |
| Basically the focus of their practice needs to be | | | | Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Also try renting a |
| where a box is un tick. The teacher at times will write | | | | DVD of a concert instead of a movie. Checkout 'The |
| comments in the section below. Parents should check | | | | School of Rock' DVD. Its light hearted comical look at |
| this each week. Once all the boxes are tick they will | | | | school age primary school children learning music. |
| receive a certificate and move up to the next level. | | | | *Guitar fitness - Learning guitar is often confused with |
| *So how can I help with their practice? - Take a little | | | | playing guitar. Many people decide to take up guitar |
| time each week to see what they are learning. Ask | | | | because they think it will be fun. They are focused on |
| your child exactly what they are working on. The best | | | | playing guitar. Learning guitar is not particularly fun. |
| time to ask is straight after their lesson. If you ask | | | | Playing guitar is fun. Playing guitar is one of the best |
| them on a regular basis they will often pay more | | | | feelings anyone could experience. But learning the |
| attention in class knowing the questions are coming. | | | | guitar is HARD WORK. Its like fitness. Getting fit is |
| Try to understand it yourself. Even better try learning | | | | hard work. Being fit is a great feeling. But as you get |
| the guitar yourself. We also have adult classes so feel | | | | fitter it gets easier. Young children need lots of support |
| free to sign up. | | | | and parent involvement. Try and sit with them when |
| * Performance - Set specific dates for your child to | | | | they practice and watch them. Pay close attention to |
| perform their latest piece for family or friends. Once a | | | | what they are doing. For children under 10 years its a |
| term (4 times a year) would be good. That way that | | | | must. |
| have something to work towards. Make sure you | | | | |