Daily Practice Routine

            Parents should closely monitor their child’s practice habits and encourage daily practice.  The better musician a student becomes, the more they will want to practice.  Students should use the following practice regimen as it will be the most effective use of your time:

1. Check your instrument prior to beginning  to make sure that it is in proper working order.

2. Begin with long tones.  The best way to develop proper tone and pitch center is to play about 5 minutes of long tones each day.  Long tone scales are very effective.

3. Loosen the fingers by playing All-State scales - slowly first - then increase the tempo.  Beginners should skip this step until you have learned a few scales.

4. Practice your lesson or band parts.  Be sure to work on sections that give you trouble.  Work out problem spots slowly.  If you have trouble with a section talk to your Director.

5. After practice, clean your instrument and wipe fingerprints off of the lacquered areas,  Doing this daily is the best way to ensure your instrument is always in proper working order.