Start Again Syndrome

Students who play from the beginning every single time will never play the ending of their pieces well, and they won’t be confident picking up after a slip in the middle of the piece.

Start Again Syndrome: At Sixes and Sevens

This cure is a fun (and a little bit sneaky) way to get your students starting from different spots, and practicing the ending more than the beginning.

Steps

• On day 1, split your piece into six sections and write the numbers in pencil on the music.
• Roll a die and play the section with whichever number it lands on.
• Write that number in the chart and repeat the process seven times.

Download the At Sixes and Sevens steps and tracking chart by clicking here.

Start Again Syndrome: Back It Up

This requires some resolution! Backing up all the way from the end is the surest way to cure Start Again Syndrome.

Steps

• Play the last bar (measure).
• Play the last bar and the second last bar.
• Play the last 3 bars.
• Continue all the way until the start of the piece.
• Modify for at home practice by asking your student to back up 2-4 bars at a time, instead of bar by bar.