Tips

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Essential Advice for Speakers

• Organise to arrive in good time. Get the feel for venue, acoustics, do a sound check.
• Drink plenty of water – but tip out those ice-cubes! (Cold constricts your throat; warm water soothes and relaxes.)
• Take slow deep breaths.
• Stand against a wall to ensure upright posture. Subtle knee bends relax tension.
• Hum quietly to warm up your voice – and avoid shrill high pitch.
• Smile! It warms your voice and lifts your spirits.

for Speakers

Rostrum

National Speakers Association

National Speakers Assocn Australia

Austral Business Communication

Speaking Edge

Essential Advice for Musicians

• Prepare early to avoid last minute panic.
• Book several piano accompaniment rehearsals well before the performance.
• Perform a run through to family and friends.
• Organise to arrive in good time.
• Bring a water bottle to the venue – drink lots of water in the days before.
• Stand against a wall to ensure upright posture.
• Subtle knee bends relax tension. Unwind shoulder tension with "turtle" shrugs.
  
• Take slow deep breaths – before playing, at cadences, between movements. Breathe, breathe, breathe!
• Forgive yourself occasional mistakes, a squeak or wobbly bow. Play out with a big beautiful sound, exaggerate dynamics.
• Enjoy your music – and so will your listeners!

for Musicians

Brisbane Symphony Orchestra

Antoni Bonetti

Quartetto Bonetti

Australian Society for Music Education

Music Teachers Assocn Qld

Music Teachers Assocn NSW

Music Teachers Assocn SA

Kodaly Music Education

Pomerico Clarinet Mouthpieces

Succeed With Music

Two Up Music

Essential Advice for Parents of Young Musicians

How to ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD’S PRACTICE
Qn. “We lead busy lives! The teacher wants daily practice – how much is enough?”
A. Like food, music needs regular input. Aim for 6 times per week. As a rough guide:
Small children: 10-15 minutes daily.
Teenagers: around 30 minutes. Allow pressured Year 12 students space to juggle demands.

Qn. How to enforce when they slacken?
A. Bribery is better than bludgeon! Suggest:

• “Practice what you CAN’T play instead of what you CAN.”
• “Practice in bite-sized bits”
• “Set GOALS – short-term and do-able, (a concert or exam).
• Help them schedule a regular time.
• Check the lesson notebook each week

Qn. “Should I sit in on lessons?”
A. Some children respond better to the teacher one-to-one but discuss with both.

Qn. “I’m not a musician, how can I help?”
A. Your interest helps!

• Praise works wonders! Don’t comment if early sounds are crude.
• Suggest (but don’t force) they play to family and friends.
• Take them to concerts, buy recordings, expose them to a variety of music.
• Keep instruments in good working order
• * Buy the best equipment your budget allows

More tips in Practice is a Dirty Word by Ruth Bonetti.
Music Book Information  Buy Them

“It’s frustrating! We parents pay for an instrument and tuition. The child shows talent but then drops out! I hope this book helps now my daughter’s lost interest – but I wish I’d had it in the start-up package.”
– Stephen Oddy, Bardon, Qld

"I've read your book ˆPractice is a Dirty Word' over and over to help with my daughter's flute practice. It's so empowering – she's won several competitions."

– Robyn Hamlon, Toowoomba, Qld.

HELP YOUR CHILD’S PERFORMANCE of Words/Music
Encourage them to:

• Prepare early to avoid last minute panic.
• Book several piano accompaniment rehearsals well before the performance.
• Suggest a run through to family and friends.
• Help them organise to arrive in good time.
• Take a water bottle to the venue.
• Take slow deep breaths
• Stand against a wall to ensure upright posture. Subtle knee bends relax tension.
• Be positive and reassuring. “Just do your best. Some nerves are normal!”
• But don’t overload with advice; give them space to prepare and focus.
• A few mistakes in performance don’t spell doom. Tell them you’re proud – whatever happens.

More tips in Confident Music Performance, and in Don’t Freak Out – Speak Out, Book Information      Buy Them