How to Practice

Mr. Michael's key to successful home practice is as easy as 1,2,3! or SAY, FINGER, PLAY!

Practicing should be:

-Part of your homework routine.

-Something to do every day for at least 15 minutes

-About getting better.

-Working on things that are challenging.

-Trying new things on your instrument.

-Trying to get the best possible sound when you play.

Practicing should NOT be:

-Playing through music that you can already play perfectly.

-Blowing without thinking.

-Making funny sounds with your instrument.

-Something to do while watching TV.

-Letting brothers or sister play your instrument.

-Forgotten about.

Practicing looks and sounds like:

-A musician sitting or standing with good posture in a quiet place.

-Starts and stops - not just playing through the music.

-Having folder, music, a pencil, and your instrument out.

-Slow, steady progress.

-Making mistakes, then working to fix them.

-Filling out your practice sheet when done.

Things to try:

-SAY, FINGER, PLAY!

-Tap your foot on every beat (notes and rests) as you play.

-Don't start practicing new music at a fast tempo.  Play slowly and to a steady tempo at first. 

-Increase tempo when you're comfortable and ready.

-Hold a (steady) note for as long as you can (Long tones).  

-Practice with Bandmate Chromatic Tuner app open to check your intonation 

-Isolate a tricky section (it may only be one measure or a few notes) and play it over and over.  

-Don't waste too much time on easy sections.