The Art of PRACTICING

Tips for Parents and Students

• We recommend a minimum of one hour of practice each week outside of school

  • Band class time is for learning and reinforcing. Students need one hour of time outside of class to work on the skills we teach during class. Of course, more is even better! Think of it as “band homework.”

  • Practice time can be scheduled around your child’s other after school activities. For example, plan to have your child bring home the instrument on nights that he/she does not have a sports practice or other obligation.

  • Practicing more frequently for a shorter period of time is much more effective than practicing once for a long period of time; this is the way our brain wiring and muscle memory works. For example, practicing 3 times a week for 20 minutes is much more effective than practicing once a week for an hour.

• Set your student up for success

  • Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to practice where there will be minimal distractions.

  • A chair with a straight back and a music stand are essential. The seat of the chair should allow your student’s feet to be flat on the ground when he/she is sitting up straight in the chair. The music stand should be set at eye level right in front of the chair. These recommendations, although they seem simple, are critical for your student to achieve the proper posture to play the instrument. Proper posture will not only help the student to produce a better sound, it will also prevent injury such as back and neck strain.

  • Practicing in front of a large mirror is extremely helpful - the student can check posture and instrument hold as he/she practices.

• Practice SMART – it saves time and energy

  • ALWAYS practice the basics every time you play your instrument. Good posture and breathing techniques do not just happen when you want them to happen. You must practice them at all times so that they become natural. If a passage of music is giving you a hard time – break it down into its parts and practice each part separately. Practice one small section of the music at a time – do not start at the beginning of the passage and play through to the end each time. You will waste your time repeating the sections you already know while limiting the time spent on the passages you need to work on.

  • Watch out for the “Broken Record.” Students often practice music that they already know again and again. Sure, it feels good to play something that you already know, but you only get better when you work on something with which you are having difficulty.

  • Listen in class! Your band teacher will give you specific practice techniques to help you master a new skill. Trust your teacher and practice it the way she says. ☺

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULD BE PRACTICING! Parents, mastering a musical instrument is a process. Your student will always have something to practice – scales, band book exercises, concert music, tone studies, etc. You should never hear your child say, “Oh, we don’t have anything to practice this week.” Yes, you do!