"PRACTICE ONLY ON THE DAYS THAT YOU EAT"

When to Practice

 

  • Stick to a daily routine that you, your family, and your friends will respect

  • Practice at approximately the same time every day in 30-minute intervals

  • Practice at a time when you are mentally and physically alert

  • Practice at a time when there are no distractions

Where to Practice

  • Practice in a place free from TV, phone, stereo, other people, etc.

  • Practice in a place where you can hear yourself play (like a bathroom!)

  • Practice in a place where you feel comfortable

Equipment

  • For good posture, use a chair with a straight back and no arms

  • Use a music stand; also for good posture

  • Use a mirror to view hand body and embouchure position

  • Use a metronome to develop good rhythmic coordination

  • Rely on a cassette recorder to hear what you really sound like

What to Practice

  • Start with warm-ups: long tones, lip slurs, scales, etc.

  • Play through your band music: concert music, method book, etc.

  • Work on your private lesson music as assigned by your teacher

  • Learn and refine your solo & ensemble music

  • Do sight reading; use any music you can find

  • Choose other music you like (only after everything else is finished)