Practice
Practice Expectations
Students should be practicing for 20 minutes 4 or 5 days every week. Students should be taking their instruments home on a regular basis. The stage is always left open after school for students to pick up instruments.
Practice does not make perfect, it makes PERMANENT.
Practice Tips
Set a practice schedule and goal the same way you would for homework, chores, or other activities.
Practicing your instrument is like preparing for a marathon - you need to practice frequently to improve rather than trying to cram it all into one or two sessions a week.
Have a practice space that is clean and easy to focus. Sit on a chair (not a bed, couch, etc.) and always use a music stand. Posture is still important even though you are not at school.
Flute and brass players - spend some time warming up on your headjoint or mouthpiece before putting the whole instrument together. Reed players - make sure your reed is wet. Percussionists - make sure you use the correct grip.
4-Step Practice Process
Say the letter name for each note
Practice the fingerings/slide positions for each note
Sizzle, count, and clap the rhythms
Play
You are your own best teacher. As you play, listen to the sounds you are making. Ask yourself the following questions:
Am I performing the correct pitches?
Am I performing the correct rhythms and with a steady tempo?
Am I using correct posture and hand position?
Am I making a pleasant sound?
Am I correctly articulating?
If the answer to any of these questions is “no”, determine what changes you need to make to change that answer to a “yes!” and make those changes.
Once you are comfortable and confident in the exercise, play it 3 times in a row correctly! If you play it incorrectly more times than correctly, you will develop wrong habits.
Play multiple songs. Challenge yourself to learn new things.
Practice what is assigned for the next class period.