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Effective Weekly Practice Program

Nothing is more important to the development of a musician than individual practice. While class instruction and the rehearsal of various performing groups is important, it in no way can replace individual practice time. The most important thing a student can do is to establish and maintain an Effective Weekly Practice Program. It should be the goal of every music student to develop his or her talents to the very highest level possible. However, most students fail to reach their full potential because they do not know what or how to practice!

Elements for Program Success

Students should consider the following when developing this program:

1. Make every effort to establish a regular practice schedule. Outline your weekly activities and treat your practice time the same way you would any other important engagement.
   
   
2. Try to practice at least 3 hours per week. That’s only 30 minutes per day / six days a week. However, time used for instrument maintenance is not considered practice time.
   
   
3. Practice at times and in places that allow the student to develop the full dynamic range of the instrument. Students must be able to play LOUD during some part of every practice session. Sitting in your room playing so softly that you don’t disturb the rest of the family limits the success of the practice session. Mutes are available for brass players and practice pads work wonderfully for percussion students.
   
   
4. Equip your rehearsal room properly. You need a solid straight back chair, a music stand, method books, a pencil, and if possible a metronome. A tape recorder would also be good so that you could listen to yourself.
   
   
5. What to practice:
   

   Tone Development	Technique	Interpretation
   Long Tones	Scales and Rudiments	Melodic Studies
   Slurring Exercises	Tonguing Exercises	Solo Literature
   Dynamic Control Exercises	Interval Studies	Listening to Recordings
   Vibrato Exercises	Range Extension Exercises
   Melodic Studies	Alternate Fingering Drills

   
   

6. If at all possible. . . . . . . . Take Private Lessons!

Your Band Director can help you select a qualified teacher.

If you want to get better you must . . . . Practice!

Glenn C. Price