How do I practice effectively?

These are some extra tips that will help you when you are struggling with tempo, motivation, rhythms, or difficult passages. Feel free to ask Ms. Cavender for more tips and tricks as needed!

1. Don't forget to warm-up 

   • the muscles in our face and lungs need to warm up just like other muscles in the body.

2. Practice Slowwwww 

   • I know.....you've heard this a thousand times.

3. Practice with a metronome 

   • speed up the metronome 1-2 bpm at a time.

4. Record yourself playing and listen back

   • This will help you hear things you haven't heard before! Even if you don't want to listen to yourself, it will help you tremendously.

5. Take it one measure at a time 

   • Keep going until you have practiced four measures independently. Then, go back and play the four measure phrase. Finally, try the whole section again. 

6. Play it correctly 3-10 times in a row correctly

   • Practice makes permanent not perfect, so make sure you aren't memorizing wrong notes/rhythms. 

7. Set goals for yourself and have fun! While practicing  material you've been given is important, feel free to explore playing your instrument and read new things!