How You Can Help Your Child Succeed in Band
How You Can Help Your Child Succeed in Band![]()
How You Can Help Your Child Succeed in Band
Mrs. Van's Thoughts on Practice:
Yes, your child will need to practice at home as much as possible (I know you are busy with a ridiculous number of other activities, but it is VERY important that you insist on home practice!)
1) Set a goal of 5 times per week of 20-30 minutes of practice. Beginners will only be able to do 5-10 minutes in the beginning as they gradually build their embouchure (the formation of muscles around the mouth)
2) Some kids LOVE to practice & you will never have to nag them.....most kids DO NOT love to practice (including my own!), so you will have to nag them....go ahead & do this....they will appreciate it someday.
3) QUALITY vs. QUANTITY: be sure that your kids are not just "playing around" on their instruments when they are supposed to be practicing. A lot of kids will pretend that they are practicing, but really they are just making fun or goofy noises on their instruments. REAL, actual practice involves the book & repetition of what we worked on in band class that week. Also....please insist on good posture: they should be sitting upright in a chair or standing up with their music book on a stand in front of them.
4) A NOTE about note reading (see what I did there?). Do not forget that, in addition to learning how the actual instrument works, your child is also learning how to read a new language! This is a big deal! The beginners learn to read a brand new note in almost every band class...it is important that they drill this at home so that they can keep making forward progress in band.
5) Do not hesitate to contact me if you feel that your child is "not getting it." Sometimes, since school band is taught in a large group setting, kids just need a little one-on-one help. I am happy to meet with them during recess or after school to give extra help if needed.
6) Please encourage your child to stick with band for the entire school year. In the first few months you might hear: "Band is boring!" from your child....and honestly....before they get to the point where they can play really cool songs, band can be boring. Just hang in there & you will be AMAZED at how they sound in May!