Practice Pointers
- Look it over - is it the right music for your instrument?
- Identify the BIG THREE - Key signature, Time signature, Tempo
- Scanalyze the road map - are there repeats, codas, etc?
- Clap 'n Tap the Rhythm
- Identify the notes
- Name the notes
- Write in fingering if necessary
- Air Bow
- Silent Fingering
- Sing It!
- Chunk it - do two to four measures at a time
- Drill the difficult passages and phrases at least 3 times
- Remember - Slow practice leads to Fast Progress
- Listen to a performance of it (see FAQS)
- Use a metronome! Don't own one? Go to www.metronomeonline.com
- Reward yourself!
Every good musician knows that regular practice is a must, but did you know that careless practice can actually make you worse? Before you tell your parent or you teacher that you have decided not to practice, think about the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and HOW of practice that will help you play better and enjoy music more. Who? What? When? How?
Practice Makes Perfect??? - Not Always!
YOU! Good practice involves your mind, your body, your emotions, and the music. Your parent or teacher may be able to force you to spend time playing the notes, but only YOU can focus your mind and your feeling on the sounds you are producing, so that the music you play is beautiful and expressive.
Practice that progresses toward perfection will include:
Dr. Suzuki said, "Only on the days that you eat!" The best plan is to make practice a part of your daily routine. If you know you will practice at a certain time every day, it will happen with very few exceptions.
This is a VERY important question! Many students practice by playing straight through a piece or other assignment (often as quickly as possible) as if they were at a recital, then go on to the next thing, no matter what happened. Money won't buy better playing, but well spent practice time will. Here are some hints for getting the most for your practice "dollar."
(How do you eat an elephant? - One bite at a time!)
