To feel confident and be able to play the music for this class, students must practice their instrument at least 5 different times a week. Your student should have brought home a schedule for when they are going to play their instrument. Come up with a plan and hold each other accountable!
Students have a Practice Log where they keep track of their assignments and how much they practice. Here is an example of an assignment for the week. Every time a student practices each part of the assignment without stopping or making a mistake, they should place a tally mark beneath that part. Every time you complete a practice session, check one of the circles below. Students are required to practice at least 5 days a week.
Warm Up: This is something easy that students should start their practice session with. It's just something to get their fingers and their brains working.
Review: This material will have been in a previous lesson and should be looked over again.
Focus: The content in the Focus section is what the student should be looking at the most. Students will be expected to come to class being able to play this material all the way through without stopping.
Fun: Students get to pick their favorite song for the week and play!
In between matches of Fortnite, Rocket League, Pokemon, etc.
During commercial breaks or ads on TV/Streaming.
Right before, after, or during homework time.
Right before or after supper.
Before bed, or after getting ready in the morning.
Music Stand
In order to have proper posture, students should use a music stand to keep their music at an appropriate height. Setting their music on a table or couch can lead to slouching posture and possibly injury if technique is compromised. You can find relatively inexpensive music stands online or at your local music store.
Pencil
Keep track of songs or sections that need practice by marking your book or practice log with a pencil. Do not use a pen inside your student's book as I reuse these books year to year. If your student needs reminders with note names, I would suggest marking a couple notes with the number of fingers to play that note. For example, if there is an E on the D string, write a 1 above that note. Please do not write in the name of every note.