Student Practice Guide
Download the 1st quarter playing chart (both orchestra and band) here:
Playing Chart / String Guidelines / Wind Guidelines / Percussion Guidelines
- Isolate the problem spots and work these out. Do not just start at the beginning every time.
- Identify the problem and come up with a plan to correct it. If it is a fingering problem students should practice fingering without making sound. If it is a tone problem students should practice playing or singing with a good sound. If it is a rhythmic problem students should count and clap it and then practice the articulation.
- New material should be practiced first. Students should not play the same songs that they have mastered every day. They will never progress.
- Short sections of music, a few measures, should be completely worked out at a time.
- Slow practice must precede rapid playing.
- Avoid boredom. Students should not stay on one thing too long. They should also play something that they like in its entirety each practice session.
- Work hard! Students should work on each aspect of their playing each day. Play long notes to work on tone and intonation. Work on technique, tone quality, sight-reading, scales, and musicality.
- Have fun. If your practice starts to drag, stop and take a break.