How to Practice
Practice Hints:
1. Choose a room that is quiet and free of distractions...no TV or radio.
2. Be sure to use proper seating and playing position.
3. USE A MUSIC STAND.
4. Use a metronome.
5. Break down hard passages into SMALL segments.
6. Practice at a SLOW tempo.
7. Gradually increase tempos.
8. Practice for results, not just to "put in time."
9. Realize that there are some things you can fix in one practice session while other things may have to develop over time.
10. Play for your parents. Let them see and hear what you are doing in class.
11. At the beginning of each practice session, determine what your main goals are so that you don't lose focus.
12. Keep a record of your practice time including date practiced, minutes practiced, your goals, and what you accomplished.
How much do I practice
In order for a student to progress on an instrument at the expected rate, a regular practice routine must be followed.
There is no "set" amount of time a student should practice each day, but here are some general guidelines:
A beginner in the first six weeks of study should practice about 20-25 minutes per day.
A beginner should increase this time to 30-45 minutes per day starting in the second six weeks.
A second or third year player should plan on practicing at least 30 minutes per day, but, preferably, more like 45 to 60 minutes. This may be broken up into two sections (for example, 15-30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon).
Occasional days off are fine, of course, but in order to maintain consistency, a student should practice at least five days a week. The student should try to avoid taking multiple days off in a row.
It is better to practice in 30-45 minute "chunks" on a daily basis than it is to practice for longer periods on just one or two days per week.
As mentioned above, the student should have a plan and make sure his or her practice is "focused" and not done simply for the sake of putting in time on the instrument.
Music Theory Lessons
This page has links to a number of music theory topics around the web. It's a great resource! Thank you, Avery, for the suggestion!!
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Music Theory
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