Practice Tips

							               Practice Tips
   1. Set up a regular time, and a good place, for practicing. The
      best place in your home to practice is a quiet place, away
      from the television, telephone, computer, and other
      disruptions.
2.    Use a music stand which will allow you to sit or stand tall
      and hold your instrument correctly.
3.    Fingers, hands and arms may tire easily because they are
      learning new movements and positions. If this happens, it’s
      good to take a few seconds to shake out the hands and arms,
      or wiggle the fingers, to relax the muscles. Take deep, full
      breaths when playing.
4.    Each day, review the teacher’s instructions and assignments.
5.    Practice the difficult measures over and over until you can
      play them correctly. Then, play the song all the way through.
6.    Practice a song slowly before taking it at a fast tempo.
7.    Before playing a new song for the first time, check the key
      signature, the time signature and look for measures with
      unusual rhythms or complicated note patterns, check the
      speed, and specific articulations, fingerings, and sticking
      patterns.
8.    Be sure there is time in each practice session to play some
      favorite songs.
9.    At the end of each practice session you should be able to
      answer two questions, “What improved today?” and “Which
      songs or skills need work tomorrow?”
10. RECORD YOUR DAILY PRACTICE!!!