Practice, Practice, Practice

The number one way to improve our band program is for you to practice individually at home. So far this semester our band students have combined to practice over 66,000 minutes!!!

Congratulations to these students who have practiced the most minutes so far:
Beginning Band:
Jared H. (Percussion) = 480 minutes
Mary Beth B. (Clarinet) = 392 minutes
Bethany B. (Flute) = 300 minutes
Trevian J. (Baritone) = 300 minutes

Concert Band:
Jacob P. (Trumpet) = 925 minutes
Braxton O. (Trumpet) = 840 minutes
Jonathan A. (Percussion) = 825 minutes
Jonathan D. (Trumpet) = 707 minutes

Symphonic Band:
Patric T. (Percussion) = 1580 minutes
Nikki N. (Flute) = 855 minutes
Vishal M. (Trumpet) = 817 minutes
A.J. L. (Alto Sax) = 740 minutes
Kyle M. (Tenor Sax) = 725 minutes


How can you make the most out of your practice time???

1. Choose a spot in which to practice and practice there each day. Be sure that this is an area of your home that is as distraction free as possible.

2. Begin your practice section with a line from your method book that has long note values. This will allow your embouchure muscles to warm-up so that you can progress toward more difficult exercises. This will also allow you to think about your breathing. Make sure to breathe deeply and produce an air stream that is steady and controlled. Use a mirror to check your embouchure, hand position, and posture. These important concepts are essential to good tone production.

3. You should work from your method book each day. Your goal should be to stay several lines ahead of the class. Remember: before you play each line, use the "steps" we use in class to help you break things down (count/clap; count/finger; air play; play). Using this process will help you be more accurate when you play an exercise for the first time.

4. Practice your sheet music. Work on the portions where you are having difficulties in class. Practice these parts slowly to make them accurate. Sometime this means you will need to work one measure at a time – that’s okay!!! Make it your goal to play that measure five times accurately at the slow tempo and then gradually increase the tempo to the speed we perform it in class.

5. Pay very careful attention to the musical details: key signature, correct notes and/or accidentals, rhythms, musical signs and symbols, dynamics and articulations.

6. FINALLY – play something just for fun.

7. At the end of your practice section, make sure that you thoroughly wipe down or swab out your instrument. Woodwinds – make sure that your reeds go into your reed guard. This makes them last longer.

Suggested Practice Timeline
5 min. – warm-up
7-10 min – method book
10 min – sheet music
3-5 min – for fun
Pack up instrument in case