Practice Tips
As we start band this year, it is important to immediately develop wholesome practice habits which will guarantee a successful and personally gratifying process. Your support and guidance as a parent will be the key factors in establishing the practice schedule ensuring the attainment of musical goals.
As students mature, it is vital to develop a discipline which makes home music practice a natural part of the day. The cooperative efforts of the instrumental music directors, the student musicians and the willing parent/s constitute the proven recipe for success.
Don't expect flawless play from your young musician. The clearest indication that child is successful in music education is that he or she will show love and enthusiasm for the music.
Instrumental music means more to your child than just playing an instrument. It offers an opportunity to experience a whole new level of communication. This artistic language will be with them for a lifetime. These formative years of music education can open up a world of aesthetic possibilities which will bring new meaning to the growth and development of your child. Let us join hands in establishing a solid foundation of growth by creating a disciplined practice schedule at the onset of their instrumental music career.
Top Twelve Techniques and Tips:
1) Always work for 3 times in a row perfect. If you can’t play it correctly after a few tries, change something! Go slower, or take a smaller chunk. Practice playing it correctly.
2) Use a metronome (Available as an app on smartphones). Be sure that you play exactly in time with it—don’t just let it run.
3) Slow down. Take it slowly and work for perfection. Don’t speed up unless you can play it perfectly at the slow tempo. It may take several days of practice to get to the speed you desire.
4) Use a tuner. (Available as an app on smartphones). Check that you are hitting the correct notes and that they are in tune. Hold out notes, crescendo/decrescendo and make sure they stay in tune.
5) Play one note at a time, out of rhythm. Be sure you know the name of each note. Check that each note is fingered correctly and sounds the right pitch. Don’t crack any notes. After you can do that several times, try it slowly in rhythm.
6) Count and clap the rhythm. Then try playing just the rhythm on one constant note.
7) Break it into little chunks: 2 or 4 measures at a time. Get one chunk perfect, then move on to the next. Make sure you carry through to count 1 of the next measure when you finish a chunk.
8) Try to sing what you are playing. Can you sing both the rhythm and the pitch? Try singing your part while you finger the notes.
9) Try working backwards: do the last measure of a section, then the last 2, then the last 3, etc.
10) At the end of your practice session, go back to the beginning of the piece and play it straight through just for enjoyment. The difficult sections will play out better and will give you a sense of accomplishment.
11) Play for an audience (real or imagined). Go find someone to listen while you play what you have been doing. Can you play it right the FIRST time?
12) Play pieces for fun. Play your favorite songs or a book by your favorite artists. You deserve it!
