How to Practice
Practicing is VERY important for your success on your instrument and the success of our band!
Practicing is VERY important for your success on your instrument and the success of our band!
Here are some Practice Tips & and example of How a (20 minute) Practice Session at home could go.
Here are some Practice Tips & and example of How a (20 minute) Practice Session at home could go.
Helpful Practice Tips:
- Practice often and regularly.
- 20-25 minutes per day is recommended, but we understand that you have many commitments to fulfill!
- Try to practice at the same time every day.
- Find a time that's best for YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
- Find a suitable place in your home to practice.
- Look for a place without distractions.
- It is helpful to practice in front of a MIRROR to check posture and techniques, such as embouchure (lips & mouth), mouthpiece position, or proper stick grip.
- Sit up straight or stand tall and practice with a MUSIC STAND.
- This will ensure proper posture, correct breathing & instrument position.
- Strive for a pleasing sound.
- Never feel discouraged about hearing unusual sounds or squeaks. They are part of the developmental process and will go away with practice!
Sample Practice Session:
- Minutes 1-5 "The Warmup"
- Long tones (playing long, steady notes on your instrument that you have already learned at a quiet volume. Try to keep the sound even by breathing steadily!)
- Flexibility (playing notes that are low and moving higher on your instrument without adjusting the instrument around your mouth) **will discuss in upcoming lessons**
- Tonguing (playing repeated notes on your instrument starting slow, then moving faster without changing the quality of your tone)
- Minutes 5-15 "The Hard Work"
- Measure by Measure (Don't play through the entire piece of music, this will not help at first. Find one measure that has challenging notes or rhythms. Try clapping the rhythm or singing the measure before your play it. Try it slowly then gradually try to play it faster. ALWAYS strive to play with a pleasing sound!)
- Don't rush (play a measure or two up to 5 times until it sounds as good as you can make it. If you make a mistake, try it again!)
- Work on challenging sections (don't worry about playing the parts or notes that you can already play, focus on the spots that you personally know are not solid!)
- Once You Feel Accomplished, STOP! (If you have made a part of your music you are working on sound better by practicing, then either stop or move on to another part. If you get frustrated, take a 2-minute break and then come back to it. Always try to improve, try to avoid going backwards.
- Minutes 15-20 "The Fun Stuff"
- Play through a fun song in your book or one that we are working on in band class. It doesn't have to be challenging, just something you like to play!
- Think of a song you like that is on the radio and try to play it on your instrument!
- Play through one whole song from the beginning to end without stopping, if you can!
