Instrumental Music Notes

Advice for the instrumental students and their parents

Beginning instrumental students need tons of encouragement.

Playing an instrument is an adult skill

Sometimes you must practice loud to develop good tone

Practice each day

Find a comfortable place in which to practice

Musical instruments are not toys. They are very fragile - precision instruments.

Do not allow others to handle them. Play the instrument each day to maintain your instrument in good working order.A damaged instrument may not play at all.
Set up a consistent time each day (free from distractions) that will allow you to
practice and not disturb the family. (15-20 minutes a day, to start).

Play for parents and relatives once you learn some songs.
Parents should sit with their students at least once a week while they practice. Have them
show you what they are doing. Help them count.
Write down the school lesson time and be sure to take the instrument to school.

Every instrument has periods in the learning process that will be difficult. Learn the definition of the word "persevere". Call the instrumental teacher if you need help.

Woodwind instruments will need a good supply of reeds (except flute). Brasses will need oil / slide lubricant. Music stands and reed guards are good gift idea.

Parents should consider taking a few lessons on the instrument. It gives you better insight into what your student is going through, and it may be fun for your child as well as yourself.

Their teachers want them to succeed. Let them know if you have concerns.

Embouchure - an overview

These general principles apply to almost all embouchure set-ups of beginning wind players.

Do not puff the cheeks or allow air to pillow underneath the lips

Do not bunch the chin up underneath the mouthpiece

Maintain a firm set to the corners of the mouth with a slight downward turn

Allow the air to flow strongly and freely, without obstruction

Too much tension is just as bad as the opposite condition

In the brass embouchure exact mid placement of mouthpiece is a rarity

Some common problems to watch for in beginning instruction

• embouchure problems described above
• woodwinds keeping fingers in position and close to the keys
• trumpet players flattened hand position inhibits rapid key movement
• wind players not using enough air and breath support
• distorted or improper angle of mouthpiece
• more advanced players using improper mouthpieces, reeds and set-ups
• not enough emphasis on beat development and maintenance
• trombonists playing with improper slide grip and arm motion
• trombonists with improper slide positions (each is different, if in doubt check with tuner)
• damage to the instrument caused by improper maintenance and assembly
• improper practice habits (see below)
  

Developing good practice habits

• set up a routine - when things become a habit they are easier to maintain
• a good routine will include

warm up routines and exercises

technical studies and patterns

melodic phrasing and musical development

sight reading

warm down and instrument maintenance if needed

• make sure you have clear goals to accomplish during practice
• keep records of the time you practice and your progress
• take private lessons on your instrument
• take a lesson from a new teacher once in a while
• make sure you have a distraction free time and place to practice
• when starting out try to practice at a consistent time each day
• practicing each day is better than more time on fewer days
• find someone to play duets with
  

The Parent's Guides

A Parent's Guide to Band and Orchestra



A Parent's Guide to Teaching Music

The above links take you to descriptions of some very easy to understand Parent's Guides on music teaching. The author is Jim Probasco and they are published by:

Betterway Books
1507 Dana Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45207
(800) 289-0963

These books can fill an important niche in keeping parents informed about their children and music instruction in a school setting.

Mr. Probasco is also one of the authors of a beginning band method with an amusing title:

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