Practice & Technology

Practice Resources/Help

How do I prepare to practice?

• Set a goal for practicing – what do you want to accomplish and get better at?
• Have a quiet place where you are able to concentrate. Remove distractions.
• Warm up with something you have already played, then move into new materials.
• Have all materials ready to use (pencil, music, instrument, metronome, timer/clock)

Practice strategy toolbox

• Write markings in your music such as counts, note names, fingerings as reminders
• Listen to or play with recordings
• Use a metronome
• Sing the phrase (use tah or other neutral syllable)
• Clap and count the rhythm
• Say the note names and use fingerings (say & play) first not using written rhythm
• Say, Sing, Play 5x (Say Rhythm, Sing Notes, Play 5 times through the passage)
• Repeat the difficult sections, find patterns
• Change the tempo – play slower to master, then speed it up
• Practice in small sections, then put together - fix hard parts, then play the measures or sections around them (Puzzle Method)
• Change around the rhythms, then play as written

5 steps to using the practice strategies

Follow these 5 steps to help you work through difficulties!

1) Identify the problem – what’s going wrong?

2) What do I need to do to fix the problem?

3) Use one or several strategies to work towards fixing the problem. Don’t use one too long – try several if needed!

4) Evaluate your progress – does it sound/feel more correct?

5) Once it’s fixed, or very close, repeat it at least 3 times to help commit it to both mental and muscle memory.

Technology/

Online resources

Beginning Strings Website - This site provides instructional support and learn at home lessons for the East Penn SD Beginning Strings program. As student learn new topics throughout the school year, new pages will be added with instructional videos and links. Some material is included as review, while other material will be placed on the website for students to review prior to lessons.

2nd Year Orchestra Website - This site provides instructional support and learn at home lessons for students in their 2nd+ year of playing. As student learn new topics throughout the school year, new pages will be added with instructional videos and links. Some material is included as review, while other material will be placed on the website for students to review prior to lessons.

Seesaw - Student performances and pictures are shared with families using Seesaw. Families are encouraged to Seesaw Families to connect with Mr. Williams & Mrs. Cooke to see what children are doing in orchestra lessons. Family members are welcome to view and comment on student progress and ask questions of Mr. Williams and Mrs. Cooke through the learning process. Seesaw Family is available via the Web or by downloading the app to any of your devices. Follow these links to connect with your child on Seesaw: Web | iOS | Android | KindleFire | Chromebook

Kjos Interactive Practice Studio (IPS) - IPS is available as either a download for your Mac or PC, or available as an app for your iOS or Android devices. This is a great support system play-along tracks as well as a complement of videos, music history and theory supplements, and supplemental music downloads. Follow these links to download this program: Mac or PC | iOS | Android

Free online metronome for practicing -Many metronome and tuner apps are available for free download in the Apple and Android app stores. Check your device store for options. Search for "free metronome," or "free tuner." Get permission from parents before downloading!

Audacity® - Audacity is free, open source, cross-platform audio software for recording and editing audio tracks. Record your performances and hear what you sound like! Requires a free download. Get permission from parents before downloading!

SmartMusic - SmartMusic is a subscription-based ($40 year) practice tool that provides a fun, interactive way for students to work with their method books and some fifth grade band music. Students are provided with immediate feedback on their performances, and can play along with accompaniment tracks to keep practice engaging and varied! Works with many major method books, including String Basics.

Composing applications for writing your own music!

Noteflight - web based application for composing your own music! Requires free account. Get permission from parents before signing up!

"Flat" google application - free music composition application through your google account. You can work with friends to create your own music!