TIPS FOR STUDENTS

• Sit on front edge of chair with your spine straight and tall, shoulders relaxed and your feet flat on the floor.
• Bring the instrument up to your mouth so you can keep good posture with your head and spine.
• Adjust your music stand so you are looking comfortably at your music.
• Breathing is important for all brass and woodwind instruments! Take a deep breath through your mouth (not your nose) and keep your throat open and relaxed. Good breathing habits will quickly improve your playing.
• Always warm up first, play older easier music, then the new assignment music.
• Stop, think and identify the problem when you come to it. Isolate the problem by breaking it down to simple parts or ideas.
• Reinforce playing the section correctly by repeating it many times successfully and consecutively, starting very slowly and increase the speed gradually.

TIPS FOR PARENTS

• Encourage thoughtful, reflective, analytical thinking in the practice session.
• Make practice a priority - like brushing your teeth !
• Establish a time each day to play. Students could practice first thing in the morning when they are fresh before going to school or when they come home before they start their schoolwork, or after the evening bath when the child is relaxed, but not tired.
• Students should practice regularly and consistently, find a regularly routine time that works for the student and the family. - Fill out and use the practice charts that are handed out.
• Have a special or nice area set aside for students to practice that has a music stand, a relatively comfortable armless chair at the correct height, good lighting, pencil and a CD player if available. A mirror is also a great practice aid.
• Be a motivator: Avoid being discouraging about how students sound when practicing. Never make negative remarks about how your child's playing sounds. It takes time and effort to produce musical sounds.
• If possible, be a positive part of your child's playing time. Sit with your child while he plays and ask, "Show me what you're learning." Or, consider learning to play the instrument with your child - Praise your child for each step forward. Encourage other family members to applaud the child's efforts. Positive attention is a great motivator.
• Provide incentives to reward consistent and careful practice.
• If the practice assignment is not clear, check the MUSIC TO PRACTICE link or contact Mr. Smith.
• Remember that there are always peaks and valleys in the learning process. You and your child should expect times of discouragement, accept them, and focus on the positive fact that she's learning to make music. Remind her that everything worth doing takes time and effort.
• Provide positive role models. Bring your child to hear amateur or professional musicians perform.