Practice IS a Musician's HOMEWORK! 

 Students receive practice calendars each quarter and should record their minutes when they practice. The very best routine is to practice 10-15 minutes each day—this will help students reach the weekly goal of 100 minutes per week. It is very important for the proper muscles to be made stronger through regular and efficient practice sessions. It is similar to the training of an athlete.

We fully understand that some days/ weeks are busier than others.  We work with students to look at their scheduled activities and plan time to practice.  These organizational skills are crucial in all aspects of life! 

Practice minutes as a part of a student's grade are cumulative.  This means that a student can practice "extra" to make up for a day/ week when they were unable to practice.  The grading scale for the quarter can always be found on the bottom of the Practice Record, and we take time during lessons/ rehearsals to check our long-term progress towards individual practice goals. 

Practice minutes are entered into the gradebook at the beginning of every lesson.  If a student forgets to bring their record, "NPR" (no practice record) is entered into the gradebook and is calculated as 0 minutes.  When the student brings their Practice Record to the next lesson, the minutes are entered and the grade will be restored. 

1. Start the clock when you are ready to start playing.

2. Begin with low slow scales or other appropriate warm ups. Try for good tone, good positions and relaxation.

3. Look at your assignment sheet (on the back of your practice record) to plan today's practice session.

4. Start with an exercise that you know needs improvement. Find a couple hard spots. Play them slowly, a few notes at a time.

5. Add more notes, go faster each time. Play it five times.

6. EXPECT YOUR BEST AND ACCEPT ONLY EXCELLENCE!

7. Use a pencil and mark spots in the music. Be neat.

8. Work on fun music and sight-reading when you have finished your lesson assignment.

9. Use good posture. (Buy a music stand) Try your hardest all the times.

10. Stop the clock and record your practice time on your practice record.