Home Practice Strategies

Point & Say Letter Names: Without your instrument, point to each note on the page and say the letter name aloud. Once you can say all letter names accurately, then try to sing letter names with accurate pitch and and rhythm. This strategy allows you to focus on accurate note and rhythm reading before trying the music on your instrument.

Left hand + Say (a.k.a. “Ghosting” ): Bring your instrument and left hand into playing position. Then, say each letter name and place your left hand fingers on the string for each corresponding note. For example, when reading you an E on the D string, you would place your 1st finger down and say the note name "E." This allows you to practice coordination of note reading and left hand skills.

Airbow + Say: Without your instrument, make an excellent bow hold and hold your bow with the tip toward the ceiling. Read each note in sequence by saying letter names and moving your bow up and down with the corresponding bow directions. This provides a focus on your right hand performing the bowings accurately while reading notes. Watch closely and make sure you follow all bow directions, bow lifts, and slurs printed in your music.

Airbow + Left hand: Once you can accurately "ghost" with your left hand and airbow with your right hand separately, try to combine those skills. Review the same music, but this time follow along by placing left hand fingers on the string for each note, move your bow with the corresponding down and up bowings, and say letter names aloud. This reinforces coordination of left hand, right hand, and note reading skills.

Count and Clap: When you find a challenging rhythm, try clapping and counting the rhythm out loud without your instrument. Count rhythms using the “1+2+3+4+” system. Once you can clap and count the rhythm, try combining with any of the strategies above (letter names, ghosting, airbowing, etc.) to begin applying the skills needed to the challenging rhythm.

"Chunking:" Practice one group of notes or measure at a time and don’t move on until you’ve got it down. Once you can accurately play each "chunk" individually, then combine to play 2 measure chunks, 4 measure chucks, and so on.

"Slow Motion:" Only play the music at the speed where you can get every note and rhythm exactly right. Once you can play it at the initial slow tempo, play the exercise again and gradually increase the tempo each time. Don't move on to a faster speed until you are able to play the music accurately.

Pencil Power! If you miss the same note every time, then write in a finger number above one or two key spots to give yourself a reminder. Try to only write in reminders on a few key notes because you want to be reading the notes on the music staff, not just reading the letter names or finger numbers that you have written in.

Play it for a partner: Find a spot in the music that you have been working on and perform it for a friend or family member. If you make a mistake, then simplify until you can play the section at least three times in a row without errors.