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.