Affirmations for Music Teachers, Students & Parents

3.  I listen for the Big 3: Rhythm, Melody, Harmony

• Good technique and reading skills
• Good habits of posture and practicing
• Ear training and improvisation
• Imparting knowledge of music theory
• Relating music to the broader culture in which it was created.

5.  I plan every lesson, but depart from plans to take adva
ntage of opportunities.

6.  I communicate often with parents and provide frequent performing opportunities for my students.

7.  I value my colleagues and enjoy working with them in local, state and national associations.

8.  I recharge my “teaching batteries” regularly and open my mind to contemporary music of all types in order to keep my music-making fresh.

Affirmations for Students

1.  I believe in my own musical talent and play my instrument daily.

2.  I use the practice techniques I’ve learned to teach myself

• I warm up with technical exercises
• I practice a piece or a passage until it sounds good.

3.   I listen for the Big 3

• I keep a steady beat in my heart.
• I project the melody
• I identify & enjoy harmonies

4.   I know how to make difficult parts easier

• Slow practice
• Separate (the hands or the notes of a chord)
• Short sections

5.  I know when to choose work-out practicing (repetition of short sections) or performance practicing (playing straight through without stops or play-overs).

6.  When I share my music with other people, I keep the music going and ignore mistakes. I capture their attention and keep it with exciting dynamics.

7.  I attend concerts and listen to a broad range of music to develop my own musical taste.

Affirmations for Parents

1. I believe in my child’s musical talent and will do all I can to facilitate learning.

2.  I support the teacher’s efforts to enhance strengths and overcome weaknesses.

3.  I listen to my child’s practice with an open mind and encourage diligence.

4.  I pay attention to all communications from the teacher, keep our calendar up-to-date, get to events on time, and pay bills promptly. I contact the teacher when I see my child experiencing unusual difficulties.

5.  Knowing that musicianship is a slow gradual process, I am patient. I guide my child to participate in a sensible number of activities.

6.  I enthusiastically expose my family to live and recorded performances of time-tested classics in many genres. With advance notice I invite my child to play for visitors.

7.  I encourage my child to read books about composers and music history.

An Affirmation for Everyone: Music connects us with the divine and with other cultures past and present. Music enables us to express our joys and our sorrows. Sharing music leads to peace and understanding among the peoples of the world.

Martha K. Smith, October 2006