“Sorry, my children didn’t practise this week…but you could probably tell that, right?”
As a student, I was always told my teacher knew whether I’d practised that week. Just like adults knowing when kids are lying, this seemed like a 6th sense that one received once they graduated to being a grownup.
But then I became a music studio teacher…and I’m not always sure.
Have my students practised? Am I giving some of them credit for work they didn’t do? Being too harsh on students that have practised, but just haven’t made much headway?
Does it matter?
So many suppositions are made about practice by teachers, students and parents alike:
- Some teachers think less practice is happening than ever before.
- Many students believe they don’t have time to practise.
- Some parents know their child should practise, and others haven’t a clue.
That’s why I need you to take the practice survey and pass on the link to your students and parents: colourfulkeys.ie/practicesurvey.
We want to ask teachers, students and parents the practice questions outright so we can put together a beautiful practice report that unveils what’s up with music practice in 2024. The resulting report about music studio practice will be free to anyone who wants it.
If you’ve completed the survey and you’re already sold on sharing it with your studio families, jump down for help writing emails or social media posts. 👇
Burning Questions
Here are a few of the questions we want to answer…
How much practice is actually happening?
We’re asking music studio teachers, students and parents about the amount of practice happening each week. I’m so curious to see if teachers’ guesses line up with the answers from students and parents.
When do students find time to practise?
Do students practise in the morning, afternoon or evening?
I know many of us picture a kid coming home after school and going to their instrument, but a lot of them have so many activities that they won’t be home for hours. So, let’s see when the steady practisers fit it in.
Do students enjoy practice?
How do students feel about practice? And is it what teachers think? I can’t wait to see what ratings come through on this.
Do teachers practise regularly?
The preliminary data shows…somewhat. But a lot less than they did growing up! Let’s see if we’re putting our actions where our words are.
(The survey closes soon, so do it now before you forget!)
When students don’t practise, why don’t they?
Probably the most interesting question of all! We’re asking about busy-ness, distractions and more. I’m excited to learn what’s really blocking practice success!
Share the Survey with Parents
I would especially appreciate your sharing the survey with parents in your studio, and any music students or parents you know.
Email Template
In case you have writer’s block, here’s a sample email. Feel free to copy and paste it into your email program of choice.
Hi [PARENT],
Could you do a favour for me and other music teachers? There’s a practice survey going on right now for parents, students and teachers. The goal of the survey is to find out about practice habits in 2024: What’s working, what’s not, and what the struggles are. The report that’s put together from this data will help music teachers everywhere (including me! 🎉) support our students better when it comes to practice.
Could you take 3 minutes to complete the survey here? It’s completely anonymous and I won’t see your individual responses.
Thanks so much in advance,
[YOUR NAME]
Social Media Posts
Right click or long tap on any of the social media images below to save them to your device. Then you can share on your studio’s Facebook page.
Need help writing the caption? It could be something like this:
Vivid Practice and Vibrant Music are currently running a survey all about music practice. 📊📈 The goal is to find out more about the reality of music practice in 2024, so they’re looking for parents and students from all over the world to complete it. 🌏📲
It takes less than 3 minutes to complete and it’s completely anonymous. This is NOT about us teachers spying on your practice habits 👀🚫 and then giving you a lecture!
Take the survey at vibrantmusicteaching.com/parentpractice. 📲
And thank you! Those 3 minutes will help us improve music lessons and practice for everyone! 👏
Time to take the survey!
We’re going to get to the bottom of all the practice questions burning in teachers’ brains. But we can only do it with your help, so take the survey now. Did I mention it only takes 3 minutes of your time? That’s not a big ask for solving the questions of the universe music studio practice (and seeing it in an actual report).
Please take the survey and pass on the link to your students and their parents. It won’t be open forever, so do it today before you forget!