How can I help?
You may be asking yourself, "How can I help my child become a better musician?" You do not need to know anything about band or music to help your child succeed. You can help your child by being involved in establishing a daily routine for school work and practice. The following is a guide for parents to help their child be successful and accountable in their practice time.
Do:
- Schedule consistent daily practice times (15-30 minutes)
- Provide comfortable place to practice that is free from distractions
- Provide the proper chair and stand (Proper posture is important while practicing. The music should be in a position that your child does not have to bend over to see it. Wire music stands can be purchased from any music company.)
- Provide the proper music supplies (reeds, valve oil, etc.)
- Make sure your child's instrument is in good working order
- Praise your child's efforts and achievements
- Encourage your child to play for you, friends, and/or family
- Ask questions about what they are working on
- Encourage your child to take private lessons or come to the band room in the mornings before school to practice or receive extra help.
Don't:
- Turn practicing into a punishment
- Ridicule or make fun of less than perfect playing
- Allow them to play on an instrument that is in poor condition
- Don't expect rapid progress and development in the beginning
What does proper practice sound like?
- Long Tones - These are the first sounds that should be made when a students begins to practice. They should be playing long, steady notes.
- Beginners should be working on naming notes in their music. They can say the note name while doing the fingering or positioning of the note being said.
- Clapping and Counting - Students should be working in the rhythms in their music. They can do this by saying the beat number that the note falls on and clapping in rhythm.
- Steady Beat - students should practice with a metronome when possible. These can be bought at any music store or a metronome app can be downloaded on any smartphone or tablet. There are also online metronome websites that students can use.
- A variety of music - Students should be playing many different songs to improve not just the one or two that they like.