Practice & Homework
Practice Produces Progress
Nope...Practice doesn't make perfect. But it does make you better so practice as often as you can. Musicians need to develop physical strength and also muscle memory. This means you need to practice as many days each week as possible.
Begin by practicing for about 15 minutes each day. Practice your band face with your mirror. Percussionists - practice your grip. Study it carefully. Then work on making a good sound on the mouthpiece or with your sticks on a practice pad. Now you are ready to assemble your instrument. Carefully follow the steps you have learned in class. Work on putting your fingers in the right place for each note. Next work on some songs. Say the note names and finger. Then play the song. Below are more suggestions to help you do a good job of practicing.
You are getting better already!!!
Begin by practicing for about 15 minutes each day. Practice your band face with your mirror. Percussionists - practice your grip. Study it carefully. Then work on making a good sound on the mouthpiece or with your sticks on a practice pad. Now you are ready to assemble your instrument. Carefully follow the steps you have learned in class. Work on putting your fingers in the right place for each note. Next work on some songs. Say the note names and finger. Then play the song. Below are more suggestions to help you do a good job of practicing.
You are getting better already!!!
FIRST THINGS FIRST!!
Start your practicing each day by working on your band face. Use a mirror to make sure you are doing it correctly. Review the Getting Started videos and the Instrument Basics pages. You can do this even if you haven't chosen your instrument yet.
Start your practicing each day by working on your band face. Use a mirror to make sure you are doing it correctly. Review the Getting Started videos and the Instrument Basics pages. You can do this even if you haven't chosen your instrument yet.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU PRACTICE EACH DAY?
Once you choose an instrument and it starts coming home, you can expand your practice. You should include playing on your mouthpiece (and barrel for clarinets) using your mirror to check for super-glued corners and a firm chin. Next assemble your instrument and play long notes (4-8 beats each) freezing your band face at the end of each note. If you play percussion work on your mallet grip and then play repeated notes with one hand at a time. Finally, look in your book to review the songs we have studied in class and also to see what you can teach yourself.
Once you choose an instrument and it starts coming home, you can expand your practice. You should include playing on your mouthpiece (and barrel for clarinets) using your mirror to check for super-glued corners and a firm chin. Next assemble your instrument and play long notes (4-8 beats each) freezing your band face at the end of each note. If you play percussion work on your mallet grip and then play repeated notes with one hand at a time. Finally, look in your book to review the songs we have studied in class and also to see what you can teach yourself.
HOW TO PRACTICE THE SONGS IN YOUR BAND BOOK!
Once you know at least 5 notes you can play a many songs. Look in your book and learn the songs on pages 5-10. Here is the best way to practice them:
Once you know at least 5 notes you can play a many songs. Look in your book and learn the songs on pages 5-10. Here is the best way to practice them:
- Do some warming up first - using your mirror, check your band face and play long notes on your mouthpiece (and barrel or neck for clarinets or saxophones). Are you using fast air? Are your corners super-glued? How is your chin-skin? Are you making a steady, strong sound?
- Open your book to page 4 and review the fingerings for your first 3 notes. Remember that the fingering charts show you which keys or valves to press. Play each of these as long tones and as tongued quarter notes several times.
- Choose a song (start with the simpler ones on page 5). Clap the rhythm while counting out loud and tapping your heel. Then say the names of the notes and make sure you remember which keys/valves to press. Last, play the song .
- Play that song a few more times until you are feeling confident. If something in the song is hard for you, work on that part of the song a few more times and then try the whole song again.
- You can listen to the song on your CD to hear how it sounds. Once you know the song well, play along with the CD recordings
- Move on to the next song and repeat steps 3 & 4 above!
- IF you have questions, try looking at the top of this web page. Click "More" then slide down to "Instrument Pages" and find the page for your instrument. You can find some suggestions there.