Dear Students and Parents,

Probably the most important piece of the puzzle when it comes to continuing to develop into a great musician is practicing. It is very important to practice as regularly as possible and in an organized way. When a student practices his/her instrument, care should be taken to insure that the time is well spent and as beneficial as possible.

Each instrumental student at Hazen always has plenty to practice, both for Band classes (which meet "everyday") as well as lessons (most students have lessons once a week) and sometimes other playing such as small ensembles, solos, festivals and auditions.

Each student is given a lesson assignment sheet which details what they need to practice for their next class or lesson as well as warm up and tone building exercises.

While it is the student's responsibility to practice and be concerned about his/her progress, I can't stress the value of parental encouragement! Kids want to please their parents and they want to show off and be praised. The parent can really help the young musician(s) in the family by reminding them to practice and helping to set up the conditions so that practicing can happen on a regular basis.

What follows below is complied from various music teachers' experiences, my experience over the last 25+ (!) years and suggestions and practices from past and present Hazen students. The times are based on a 45 minute practice session - which is ideal. For longer (or shorter) sessions adjust the times of Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6.

The Practice Room

The practice area should be a quiet place where the student can comfortably work on improving their ability to play their instrument. (Kids often like to practice, when possible, right in the middle of the family action.) The room should be properly lighted. The student should stand or sit in a straight backed chair and use a music stand. Sitting on the floor or on a bed and resting the music on a flat surface and really cause problems. Please do not allow bad habits to impede progress.

1) Instrument Set-Up
2 minutes

a) Carefully assemble your instrument, checking for loose screws, pads, corks, etc. If you are not sure you can fix a problem, bring it in to me the next day.
b) Check alignment of keys, valves, etc. making sure all work properly before you begin to play. If there is this kind of problem, don't try to fix it, bring it in to me the next day.

2) Warmups
5 minutes

a) Play long tones. Think about proper breathing, clear tone and evenness of pitch. Play notes in mid range, low range, high range and then mid and low ranges again.

b) Practice tonguing. Strive for clear attacks and speed.

c) Play your specific warmup exercises (i.e. brass players do lip slurs, drummers limber up their wrists and work on controlled bounce...)

3) Scales
5 minutes

a) Using the scale sheet practice your assigned scales. Start slowly and steadily and gradually increase speed. Listen to yourself to make sure you are playing the correct notes with good tone and intonation. Play the up and down.

b) Look at the Key Signatures and the affected notes. Try to memorize the scales. Play the assigned scales in the rhythm of a quarter note and 6 eighth notes.

c) Drummers use your rudiment sheet and practice your assigned rudiments. Start out slowly and concentrate on the rhythm and stickings, and gradually speed up and then slow down again.

4) Music Preparation
20 minutes

a) Arrange your music in the order you want to practice it. Make sure you think about what needs the most work and/or is the hardest and put those pieces at the top of your pile! We all have tendencies to play what we already know and avoid the hardest stuff - fight against this!!

b) Make sure you have your pencil handy. As you play, write helpful words, symbols, anything you want to remind you of the mistakes you might make. Circle parts you know need more work. Make special note of sections you have questions about so you remember to ask me either in band or lesson class.

c) When practicing difficult sections, slow the tempo down or practice the notes and rhythms separately. Break hard passages down into tiny (2-3 note) parts and practice them many times.

d) Always listen to yourself, checking for wrong notes, rhythms, fingerings, stickings, etc. When you hear a mistake, stop and mark the spot, practice it until the mistake is eliminated. Then play it a few more times to make sure it stays fixed!

e) Don't ignore and avoid the problem spots or pieces!!

f) Take some time to relax and play something you know just for fun.

5) Sightreading (review the sightreading handout)
5 minutes

a) Choose a selection not from your required work. Practice reading just the rhythm of it at 3 different tempos (slow, medium, fast). Drummers ignore the rudiments in it (i.e. no flams, rolls, etc.). Tap your foot or use a metronome (or both) to set and maintain a steady beat.

b) Using the same music, read it through at a comfortable tempo without stopping. Then look back through it, checking fingerings, notes, rhythms, etc. Then play it straight through again as perfectly as you can at the correct tempo. Listen to what you are playing.

6) Scale Review
3 minutes

Play as many scales as you can from memory. Have a goal of trying to add at least 1 scale every week.

7) Cool Down
2 minutes

Just as athletes cool down after practices and events, musicians need to cool down their "chops". Just play some mid range long tones.

8) Instrument Take-Apart
3 minutes

a) Carefully take apart your instrument, draining all spit valves, swabbing the bore, removing the reed, etc.

b) Check the instrument for loose screws, pads, corks, etc. and carefully put it back in the case.

General Notes

Always listen to what you are playing.
Mark your music to fix mistakes.
Strive for the best tone quality at all times.
Always feel free to ask for help.
Clean and check your instrument daily.
Spend time listening to music and thinking about what makes it good.
Don't cheat yourself by saying "I don't have time to practice".
Be prepared for your lessons and band class ~ you'll have more fun.
Be proud of yourself and your musical ability.
Don't settle for mediocre playing.
Remember to have fun.
You will become a better musician and person by playing music.