This page is designed for students and parents alike. The information on this page is discussed regularly in class and should be helpful reminders for the students. For parents, this page can hopefully give you a better understanding of the specific practice techniques your child should be doing on a daily basis.
Although these practice tips take discipline and patience, they are not meant to take the enjoyment out of playing an instrument. In fact, if used properly and consistently, they will increase performance ability which will result in a better musical experience.
General Practice Layout
Breathing Exercises
Tone Development
Technical Exercises
Sight-Reading
Music Studies
Below are several questions musicians should ask themselves while practicing. They could also be questions parents could ask their children. The answers should be demonstrated, not just answered “yes” or “no”.
Breathing Exercises
Exercises that work to develop proper breathing habits for wind instrument musicians. These exercises should be done over time for long term improvement, as well as daily to set-up a musicians air production for that playing session.
These exercises should be used at the beginning of each practice session.
Breathing Exercises may include:
4’s, 3’s, and 2’s
In 2 / Out 4, 8, 12, 16, 4
Variations on these exercises
Breathing Questions
Tone Development
Exercises that work on proper tone production on a wind instrument. These should be held notes that allow musicians to analyze their sound and work for improvement.
Your sound is the most important aspect of your playing. Tone exercises are performed by professional musicians daily to improve quality and understanding of their instrument. It is no different for a young musician.
Tone Development Questions
Technical Exercises
Exercises that work on tone production while articulating, changing notes, and changing notes while articulating. Tone is still a high priority while working on finger, tongue and embouchure dexterity.
These are fun exercises will help in allowing musicians to “get around” on their instrument with more ease. They should be performed for accuracy and correct technique. While speed is an asset, it is not the goal.
Technical Exercises may include:
Scales
Articulation Exercises
Lip Slurs
Clarke Studies
Scales in Thirds
Variations on these exercises
Technical Exercises Questions
Sight-Reading
Performing exercises or new music with the purpose of improving music reading ability.
Imagine being able to perform any piece of music correctly the first time you play it!!! This would open up many doors to musical performance abilities. This is one of the areas that improves with the number of times you do it. It only takes 2 or 3 minutes every day to see great improvement in sight-reading skills.
Benefits of improved sight-reading skills
Sight-reading may include:
Rhythm Counting Exercises
Timed Note-Naming Exercises
Reading a new line of music (8 to 12 measures) straight through
Sight-Reading Questions
Music Studies
Music that has been assigned in class or private lessons. This music should be worked on for extreme detail, consistency, and a high level of performance.
Many students spend all of their practice time in this portion. You will find that by regularly practicing the breathing, tone, technical and sight-reading exercises that your music will improve more rapidly and will become more enjoyable.
Music Studies may include:
Music from your band class
Solos or Ensembles
Music from your private lessons method book
Keys to practicing/perfecting music
Music Studies Questions
Remember, both the quality and quantity of practice time directly impact your ability level on your instrument.
Make long and short term plans with regard to your practice time!!
Make sure you can perform specific items up to your standards several times on a consistent basis.
