Music Theory for Kids to Improve Sight-Reading for Violin, Viola, and Cello Students
The Struggle: Why Note Reading and Sight-Reading Are So Hard for Violin, Viola, and Cello Students The ability to read
A good lesson can be so powerful. It can shift our entire perspective, inspire weeks worth of motivation, and finally break through a particularly sticky technical challenge.
The best lessons can imprint concepts and skills that can stick with us for years.
And it’s so vital to get the most out of them. The average musician will only get 1 hour lesson once a week (twice if you have a particularly demanding lesson schedule).
The rest of the time you are on your own through the week.
Come unprepared or tired? You’ll most likely have to wait an entire week to get another chance to get the feedback you need to make real progress.
If you really want to elevate your lessons and experience those breakthoughs regularly, these are 5 tips to help you get there.
Great lessons are a two way street. As mentioned above, you probably only have one music lesson a week.
The rest is all you.
That means your lesson experience is directly tied to your work at home. The way you think about, prepare for, and participate in the lesson will be the catalyst for those weekly breakthroughs.
Even what you do after the lesson will make a difference.
Think of each music lesson as a mini performance. It should be your goal to show up and showcase what you’re capable of achieving in just 1 week. This will totally change your mindset during practice. You probably experience the difference when you have a recital coming up.
Be honest. Do you practice differently for your solo performances than you do for your lesson?
You shouldn’t.
Respect both your teacher’s and your own time by valuing your lesson time more. Every day between each lesson should be a race to the finish line. A strategic race – no chaotic panicking – just smart and determined practice to get ready for the next week.
When you see the deadline moving closer, you should be actively trying to close those gaps in the passages and problems you’re fixing. The more you approach each practice session this way, you will surprise both you and your teacher with how much you’re actually capable of.
🔥Pro Tip: After every music lesson, write down particular goals to achieve by your next lesson. Aim high. It’s better to set a goal you don’t quite make, than to ask too little of yourself. You’ll be able to learn your true limits over time.
Nevertheless, aim high.
As the saying goes:
“Reach for the moon. Even if you fall short, you’ll land among the stars.”
When you have a thought or a question for your teacher during practice – write it down so you don’t forget! You don’t want to lose your one opportunity this week to get those problems solved.
If you can’t figure out a good fingering for a passage or why your bow slides in a section, another week of practicing those sections with no progress isn’t the way.
And, we all think we’ll remember to ask during lesson time, but how often do you forget about it until you go to practice that part again at home? Write it down in a journal, and you’ll never get stuck practicing the same problem for another week again!
🔥Pro Tip: All of our music practice planners (Scorekeeper’s Sheets) have an area for “Reflection” or “Note for Next Practice”. These are great places to jot down those daily observations and questions.
If you use more than one a week, bring the whole set to your lesson and check over them to refresh your memory – so you can get the help you need.
Warm up and refresh your week’s work before each lesson. You’ll play your best and get the most helpful feedback this way. This is so important. How often do you get to your lesson, only to miss the stuff you thought you knew?
This is much less likely to happen if you are warmed up and refreshed before hand. You won’t want to over practice until you tire yourself out, but you should practice enough to get loose and ready to go.
Mental practice is another great way to supplement your practice right before lesson time, either at home or on the drive there (only if you’re a passenger though. Studying music while driving is definitely frowned upon).
Mental practice supplementation will help you preserve your physical energy, but still got those neural pathways (memory) reinforced.
🔥Pro Tip: On your lesson day, practice your instrument in short chunks after a thorough warm up. Frequent rests will help you avoid pushing any of your muscles to fatigue, while still going over all the passages you need to.
Focus on the parts you were particularly invested in fixing that week.
This will drastically improve your retention of everything you learned in your lesson – You will remember what was said, how it felt, and how it sounded more clearly!
Even if you only have a short time to practice when you get home, this is really effective. If you had any big breakthroughs or important changes you worked on in the lesson, do them immediately after.
Things like small changes in posture, bow hold, bow tilt or weight can fade quickly from your memory. Even if you took notes during lessons or before you got home, the feel and look of these changes won’t be as fresh the next day.
You might even make the changes incorrectly, making it necessary to redo those things in your next lesson!
Sometimes this is unavoidable, but you might find it happens a lot less frequently if you implement this tip each week.
Always prioritize your teacher’s concerns and assignments – otherwise you will hear a lot of the same advice in every lesson – remember, they’re the expert!
Sometimes you might not fully appreciate the “why” of a particular assignment, but avoiding things your teacher has asked you to do or change only results in hearing more about it in your next lessons.
The sooner you make the change or get that assignment done, the sooner you can move on to the next thing. And who knows, you may even be surprised at how helpful that assignment was once you’ve done it! (spoiler alert: you almost certainly will!) 🪄
Every lesson can be a breakthrough if you arrive prepared, attentive, and ready to apply your teacher’s guidance. With the right mindset, you’ll leave each week with skills and the feeling that you’ve accessed a new stage in your musical journey.
Check in on our Instagram to see what this month’s challenge is. Join in and share your journey with the hashtag #DuoHansenPracticePath so we can cheer you on. The community will help you stay on track and have fun in the process.
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How do I prepare for my weekly music lesson?
Treat each lesson like a mini performance. Warm up beforehand, organize your music and notes, and come ready to show progress. Setting weekly goals and using a practice planner can help you arrive prepared and confident. Begin preparing for your next lesson right when you get home. Make each day count.
What should I practice right before a violin, viola, or cello lesson?
Focus on warming up and reviewing the specific passages you’ve worked on that week. Play through them slowly and mindfully so they’re fresh in your memory. Even 15 minutes of focused review before the lesson can make a huge difference. Don’t tire yourself out, and incorporate mental practice too.
What should I practice right after a violin, viola, or cello lesson?
Practicing right after your lesson helps lock in what you just learned. Your body still remembers the new bow hold, posture, or fingering your teacher corrected. Reinforcing it right away ensures the breakthrough sticks. Focus on the biggest breakthroughs, and try to run through any major suggestions you got during your lesson.
How can I make sure I don’t forget my teacher’s advice and assignments?
Keep a practice journal or use a Scorekeeper’s Sheet to write down assignments and questions. That way, when you practice at home, you’ll have a clear record of what to focus on — and what to ask in your next lesson.
How can I get more breakthroughs in my music lessons?
Consistency is key. Set high goals, record your questions, practice before and after lessons, and trust your teacher’s guidance. The more you approach lessons with focus and intention, the more often those inspiring breakthroughs will come.
What should I do if I feel unprepared for a lesson?
Show up anyway – your teacher can still help you troubleshoot. Use the lesson to focus on problem spots rather than hiding them. Then, write down a clear practice plan so you make better use of the week ahead. Canceling is never a good idea. You have to train yourself that canceling is not an option. You’ll learn a greater lesson with this approach.
What if I really don’t like my assignment?
It’s normal to dislike certain pieces or exercises, but those assignments often target the exact skills you need most. Trust your teacher’s expertise – they see your bigger musical journey. If you approach the assignment with curiosity instead of resistance, you may discover new strengths you didn’t expect. And remember, the sooner you complete the assignment, the sooner you move on to music you love.
Your lessons are more than a weekly appointment – they’re opportunities to spark growth that lasts far beyond the hour. By preparing with focus, asking the right questions, and reinforcing what you learn, you can make each lesson a stepping stone toward the musician you want to become.
With some time and patience, you’ll begin to notice the difference – It’s about consistently showing up ready to unlock something new, week after week. Together, let’s make every lesson count.🎶🎻
The Struggle: Why Note Reading and Sight-Reading Are So Hard for Violin, Viola, and Cello Students The ability to read
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