Practice Schedule & Tips

I have asked each student to practice 20-30 minutes daily to become better musicians.  Below I have outlined a ‘Practice Schedule’ that can be used as a guide for better practice.

Practice Schedule

I.        Wind Instruments

A.     Warm-Up (5 Minutes)

1.      Low Tones & Long Notes – up to Fifth of scale; Half steps, soft.

2.      Progress up scale, use variety of scales.

3.      Different Rhythms – use multiple rhythms (e.g. quarter, eighth) or rhythms in current music.

4.      Different Articulations (e.g. staccato, tenuto), Tempos, and Dynamics.

B.     Practice (15-20 Minutes)

1.      Current material to improve accuracy.

2.      Problem areas of current material.

3.      Scales.

C.     Warm-Down (5 Minutes)

1.      Low Tones & Long Notes – soft.

II.     Percussion Instruments

A.     Warm-Up (5 Minutes)

1.      Eight’s – Start moderate tempo and slowly increase.  Begin with 6” stick height, check for proper wrist turn.

2.      Double Beat – Same as Eight’s.

3.      Accent Tap – any Accent exercise, must differentiate Accents to Taps (heights).

4.      Alternating – any exercise that alternates hands to ensure evenness of sound.

5.      Use different heights (dynamics) on all exercises as well as tempos.

B.     Practice (15-20 Minutes)

1.      Current material to improve accuracy.

2.      Problem areas of current material.

3.      Rudiments and Scales.

C.     Warm-Down (5 Minutes)

1.      Eight’s – moderate tempo and stick heights.

Practice Tips

Ø      Use electronic tuner (if applicable) everyday.

Ø      Use metronome everyday.

Ø      Work different sections, never staying on one for too long to prevent frustration.

Ø      Practice how you want to perform.