For Families
Practice Hints and Suggestions
1. Try to schedule a regular practice time. For example, 20 minutes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Review your other after-school commitments and be realistic about practice expectations. Frequency is better than duration, especially for beginners. I would rather a student practice for 10 minutes four days a week than for 40 minutes the night before their lesson.
2. Do not wait until band concerts for performances! Have your student perform for you often. Another option is to have your student post videos on Flipgrid to keep motivation high.
3. Encourage your student to practice--not just the music they already know and are already good at, but to practice the tough stuff! You have made an investment in your child's instrument. Ask them which lines in the book were assigned, and have them play those lines for you (after they've practiced them!).
4. Especially in Beginning Band, students will hit a point when the newness and excitement wear off, and the music starts to get hard. Help support and encourage your student every day. Challenges help us grow.