Tuesdays TIP
"T"imeless "I"mpactful "P"ractice
COMPONENTS OF A QUALITY PRACTICE SESSION ~ Sheehan
Before you play anything, ask yourself why you are playing this. Is it to warm-up, improve a specific skill, learn a piece of music, maintain an already learned skill, keep a particular piece of music ready for performance, or simply to enjoy making music?? The point is - have a reason for what you do every time you pick up your instrument.
Warm up
Get the air moving / bow moving and start with a good sound. Focus on those elements that help to create a good tone.
Technical Practice
Maintenance phase - develop and improve specific skills
Music
Work on assigned repertoire and play music that you enjoy
Some important notes:
- Warming up is the most important thing you can do.
- Challenge yourself to be the best player you can be.
- Make only the best sounds that you are capable of making!
- Be relaxed - let the air flow/bow flow. Even if you don't have great technique, you can play beautiful phrases.
- Be aggressive with improving your skills. Don't be too easy or too hard on yourself
- Practice difficult sections slowly at first - if you can only play them fast, then you don't really know them - be able to play anything at any tempo. Use a metronome to keep yourself accurate.
Metropolitan Youth Symphony
...developing character, leadership, discipline, and excellence through music!
Email: office@azmys.org
Website: azmys.org
Location: 49 West 1st Street, Mesa, AZ, USA
Phone: 480-456-9501
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MYSofAZ/