In order to help the band and protect your investment, home practice is required.
Practice every day!
- Remember, it is much better to practice 30 minutes each day than it is to practice 1 hour every other day. Taking a day off is like not playing for 3 days.
- Consider practicing in shifts. In other words, instead of playing for 60 minutes straight, practice for 30 minutes, take a break (do some homework), and then finish later.
- Have a set time every day during which you practice. Setting a routine makes practice easier.
- Have a set place where you practice. Make sure that this place is where you will not be disturbed and where you may concentrate on your playing.
- Have a goal or goals established for every practice session – be careful not to fall into the trap of simply playing your instrument and stumbling through a practice session.
The old adage of “practice makes perfect” is not totally accurate. Only perfect practice makes perfect! Isolate trouble areas by breaking them down. Begin slowly and then increase tempo. - Always begin each practice session with at least a brief warm-up. (This is a great time to practice scales.)
- Spend time every day working on your sound – this is your musical signature.
- Spend time every day playing scales in as many different ways as you can.
- Spend time every day working on technical skills including facility, range, tonguing, dynamic range, and endurance. Push yourself.
- Spend time every day practicing your band music. Make sure you reinforce concepts covered in class on this music.
- Spend time every day sight-reading. Anything will do.
- Take notes as you practice so that you can ask questions that you may have during class.
Keep in mind that in order to learn that you must push yourself and expand your boundaries. Every practice session is not going to sound flawless, but should continuously improve.
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