Practice Pass
Published: Oct 5, 2023 | Category: What's in Your Notebook
Enter the Practice Pass.
Pitched to me by a creative student a few years ago, the Practice Pass has become very popular among my students. The concept behind it is simple - it's basically a rainy day fund.
Earning a Practice Pass
Students are given a weekly practice goal based upon their level. Beginning students are at a 1 hour of practice per week goal, advanced students are at a 4 hour per week goal with intermediate and early advanced students coming in at 2 or 3 hours a week. Students write down their practice times in their notebook. If they reach their weekly goal, they receive a signed Practice Pass made out to them. There's no limit to the amount of Practice Passes the student can earn in one week. I've had students double or triple their practice time, thereby earning extra Practice Passes.
Keep track of the time spent doing theory work and listening assignments. I'll count that towards practice time as well.
Spending a Practice Pass
It's easy to spend a practice pass. Don't like a particular song? Turn in the Practice Pass and you get to skip it! Worked hard on a piece only to have it crash and burn at lessons? Practice Pass! Forget to do a theory assignment? Yes, you can Practice Pass it.
Practice Passes never expire, so you can stock pile them for later. (I have one student who has probably over 100. Apparently, my signature must be a collector's item.)
Exclusions Apply
Yes, there's fine print, but it's not that bad!
You have to write down your practice times. You can't just say you practiced for six hours last week, I need to see the proof in your notebook. And if what you're writing down for practice times isn't jiving with what I'm hearing you play, then I will need your times signed by a parent.
While I will allow you to count "for fun" practicing towards practice time, it has to be a respectable ratio. Practice your lesson assignments first, then go play the fun music. Don't write down that you practiced for 3 hours when 2 of those hours were spent playing Frozen and Tangled soundtrack ad nauseam.
While you can earn an unlimited amount of Practice Passes per week, you can only spend 2 per lesson.
Practice Passes are non-transferrable. (Sorry, no selling them to a desperate sibling or friend who hasn't practiced!)
The last rule is obvious: you can't spend your Practice Pass on a piece you are preparing for recital, contest, church, etc.
So get to practicing and writing down those practice times! Remember, Practice Passes don't grow on trees. You need to earn them!