Practice Expectations & Tips

INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS AND STRATEGIES

In order for the full band to reach high achievement, every band member must seek to improve individually. 

Individual practice is essential!!!

All band students are expected to practice at least 15-30 minutes 5-7 days a week. The amount of time students practice is NOT as important as the frequency. Students need to have a quiet, distraction free place to practice successfully (not outside or in the car). A good practice session should have a warm up, some challenge, some review and some fun. Students need to use a music stand and a good chair to promote good posture.

There are a wide-range of quiet practice strategies when you cannot play your instrument. These strategies include tapping rhythms, buzzing, listening to a recording of music playing, fingering along with music/CD, saying/fingering notes or simply studying your music book.

Each student will complete weekly practice evaluations in Schoology which count as their homework grade.

Parental encouragement is also of great importance!

TIPS FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

♪  Always come to band ready to learn. 

♪  Regular, consistent and proper practice is essential.

♪  Students have to be patient with the learning process: there are no short cuts to success.

♪  Always keep trying, once you quit, that is as good as you will get.

♪  Private lessons make a huge difference (one-on-one instruction)

♪  Take good care of your instrument and keep it in a good working condition. A poor playing instrument is impossible to play even for a professional and is EXTREMELY discouraging to a novice.