Guidelines for Practicing
Hello parents,
As of now, every band member has been given six songs that will be used for our next concert and told to take their instrument home (twice). Please encourage your children to practice regularly while on this break from school. Remaining engaged with music making is crucial - it helps keep our minds fresh with the concepts we have been learning, and equally important it keeps our muscles strong. Two (or more) weeks away from playing WILL have an impact on them. In addition, we don't want to fall too far behind in our preparation for our May concert.
Recordings of all new music has been posted here: http://www.bmmsband.com/current-pieces.html
Students can use this to reference or even to play along with.
While there is no specific time requirements or assignments for practicing at home, here are general guidelines that would be a good starting point:
6th Grade:
20-30 min every day
Every time you practice you should do the following:
Play a scale out of "Treasury of Scales" at the back of the book.
Play at least one old concert song (we still have tests on these when we come back).
Play something new out of the book.
Play one of the new songs in small chunks.
*Percussion - all percussionists have been given lots of mallet songs to work on. This is a great time to get ahead on these so they can feel comfortable playing with the group when we get back. No matter what the instrument says, they can practice these on their bell kits.
7th/8th grade:
30-45 min every day
Every time you practice you should do the following:
Practice ALL 4 "old scales".
Practice at least one new scale off the Silver Level scales, slowly adding to your list of "old scales".
Run one old song (tests still happening on these when we return).
Work on at least one new song in small chunks and under tempo. If you feel good about it, try playing along to the recording.
If that's not enough to keep you buys for 30 min, pull out the red book and review songs out of there.
If you have any questions about home practicing, please let me know and I can provide further guidance.
Stay safe and we'll see you soon!
-Mr. Carey
As of now, every band member has been given six songs that will be used for our next concert and told to take their instrument home (twice). Please encourage your children to practice regularly while on this break from school. Remaining engaged with music making is crucial - it helps keep our minds fresh with the concepts we have been learning, and equally important it keeps our muscles strong. Two (or more) weeks away from playing WILL have an impact on them. In addition, we don't want to fall too far behind in our preparation for our May concert.
Recordings of all new music has been posted here: http://www.bmmsband.com/current-pieces.html
Students can use this to reference or even to play along with.
While there is no specific time requirements or assignments for practicing at home, here are general guidelines that would be a good starting point:
6th Grade:
20-30 min every day
Every time you practice you should do the following:
Play a scale out of "Treasury of Scales" at the back of the book.
Play at least one old concert song (we still have tests on these when we come back).
Play something new out of the book.
Play one of the new songs in small chunks.
*Percussion - all percussionists have been given lots of mallet songs to work on. This is a great time to get ahead on these so they can feel comfortable playing with the group when we get back. No matter what the instrument says, they can practice these on their bell kits.
7th/8th grade:
30-45 min every day
Every time you practice you should do the following:
Practice ALL 4 "old scales".
Practice at least one new scale off the Silver Level scales, slowly adding to your list of "old scales".
Run one old song (tests still happening on these when we return).
Work on at least one new song in small chunks and under tempo. If you feel good about it, try playing along to the recording.
If that's not enough to keep you buys for 30 min, pull out the red book and review songs out of there.
If you have any questions about home practicing, please let me know and I can provide further guidance.
Stay safe and we'll see you soon!
-Mr. Carey