Parent Page

Home Practice - A Parent’s Guide

To increase skill, students must practice at home. Learning an instrument is not about talent - it is about persistence!  I see your student(s) only two times a week, and while we do make progress, proficiency requires consistent home practice.  If your student practices frequently, they WILL excel!  I recommend at least 5 days of home practice per week for approximately 20 - 30 minutes. 

Short story...
Many students (even myself when I was younger) learned to play one song and played it repeatedly. Playing a song the student is comfortable with contributes to their performing abilities but doesn't help them grow. To improve, students must be challenged. As we learn new songs in class, students are instructed to circle the material and review it at home.

You can help your child practice by providing a distraction-free environment, asking questions about what they’re practicing, and encouraging them! 

Lastly, don't use practice as a "punishment".  This is something that they wanted to do and signed up to do.  We want to make sure they are practicing and putting in the time without being forced.    

Setting Up a Space for Successful Practice: 

Whenever possible, your student should practice in a space that has:

• Minimal distractions

• Well-lit

• A supportive chair they can sit on (not a couch or bed)

  1. 1. 1. • sitting on or leaning over the bed/other furniture to practice can cause your student to develop muscle problems and pain.  Additionally, those who play wind instruments will not be able to gain enough air support to properly play their instrument.

• A stable surface for the case, such as the floor

• Music stand/pencil

• An instrument in good working order at all times.  Make sure you have obtained a good quality instrument for your student.  A poor-quality instrument can be difficult to play and can frustrate a student.  This may cause them to want to quit. 
  
  

The Process of a Practice Session

Warm-Up: Preparing the mind for playing the instrument

Band Instruments

• • Buzzing (brass instruments)

  • Long tones

  • Tonguing

  • An easy song (no more than one minute)

  String Instruments

• • Pizzicato

  • Finger patterns

  • Scales

  • Bowing exercises (but not until we go over how to use the bow)
    
    

Assignment

• Go to the song most recently assigned

• Try to play through it without stopping - Where did you make a mistake?

• Pick one or more of the below practice techniques to improve.

  • Clap & count using the Eastman system

  • Say the note names

  • Pretend to Play (finger & say the notes)

  • Chunking (play only one measure at a time slowly)

  • Slow down (so you have time to think)

• Repeat the above steps until the song sounds the way it should 

Final Tips

• Encourage your student to play for family and friends, but not forcing him or her to play for others when he/she does not want to.

• Praise your student's efforts.

• Reiterate the concepts of self-discipline, responsibility, commitment, and teamwork that being in a band or orchestra teaches.

More resources can be found on our Instrumental Music website. 

Feel free to email Mr. Dignen at tim.dignen@pgcps.org if you have any questions!