They are many ways to practise scales.  My favourite method is as follows.  I set the metronome at a nice comfortable speed, 60 to the quarter note.  I play the scale in quarters, then eighths, then triplets (for a two octave scale play the scale 3x in a row so that you end up on the downbeat), then sixteenths. 

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Generally this is how it works. This is really rough.

If you never practice.
You can have fun playing the instrument  (though not as much fun as you would have if you practiced)and learn a bit about music, Play in a low level group. Go to lessons (which then become guided practice) using you instrument to learn about music including its theory, history, how muscles work etc. You will improve (slowly) just playing in a group but lessons are all the more crucial since it’s easy to get off track.


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Music Festivals and Exams

 

One should be somewhat clear about their goals when starting music lessons themselves or enrolling their children in them.

Music not just another skill or qualification, a line item on a resume, it is an art. If it is approached properly it will add a lot to the participants’ life. Not only is it a beautiful and complex art but the study of music, playing an instrument, playing with others or composing involves many aspects of life that might not at first seem obvious.

My goal is to have the student have a pleasant and rewarding experience as free of stress as possible so music remains an escape, a solace, a source of companionship and camaraderie and fun for the rest of their lives. If it just becomes another course the chances of them quitting never to return, are very high.

The dropout rate in music lessons is very high. Most of my students however continue for years and still play.

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