• How to Practice:

    • Find a well-lit place with a firm, straight-back chair where the risk of interruption is minimal.  Use a music stand to hold the music at the correct height and position for playing.
    • Begin the practice session with a familiar warm-up routine.
    • While practicing, a successful performer always concentrates on fundamentals such as posture, breathing, embouchure (mouth position), hand position, bowing, sticking, etc.

    It is essential that a regular and consistent quality practice routine is established and maintained.  Practicing is homework for music class, and must be done on a daily basis in order to ensure success.  Set goals for each practice session and always practice with a purpose in mind.

     

    How Parents Can Help:

    • Praise your child’s efforts and achievements.
    • Show interest in the music study of your child.
    • Arrange a consistent time for regular daily practice.
    • Provide a quiet, well-lit place, with a music stand, in which to practice.
    • Provide a safe place in which to store the instrument.
    • Keep the instrument in good repair.  Should a repair be necessary, do not attempt to repair your child’s instrument yourself.  Please consult the music teacher immediately for the proper course of action to take, or for a list of recommended repair technicians.
    • Be aware of your child’s schedule in order to help him/her to be punctual for rehearsal and lessons.  See that your child takes his/her instrument and music on days of lessons and rehearsals.
    • Make faithful attendance at all performances a priority.
    • Encourage your child to perform for others when opportunities arise.
    • Play a variety of recordings of master artists for your child.  Encourage your child to be active listeners of music.
    • Take your child to live concerts as often as possible.
    • Encourage him/her through technical challenges.

  • PRIVATE INSTRUCTION 

    When to Consider Private Instruction  

     

    Instrumental Music Students

    As soon as your child has established a commitment to his/her instrument and a desire to improve his/her music ability, private instruction should be considered.  It is important to realize that musical development is different with every child and that each student brings a host of unique problems to an instrument.  The sooner a young musician can learn from the expertise of a specialist on the instrument with the concentrated attention of the one-on-one learning, the faster and more correct the development will be.

     

    What to Consider When Choosing a Private Instructor

     The choice of a private instructor is very important as a negative relationship between the student and the instructor may be more harmful than helpful.

    -         The instructor should be a specialist on the instrument. Specialists intimately know and understand the problems of the instrument know the best ways of overcoming the problems and know the standard literature for the instrument.

    -         The instructor must value the total development of the musician. Lessons should provide regular development in tone and technique, scales, ensemble and solo literature.

    -         The instructor should be positive in approach.  Students need to be constantly encouraged for their successes, not discouraged for their shortcomings. 

     

    Contact Mr. Kennedy or Ms. Altieri for teacher recommendations. 
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