Music Each Student Needs
For Everybody:
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D Major Scale
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G Major Scale
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C Major Scale
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How to Practice
There are many ways to approach practicing, but here is one:
Some important things to remember when you practice your exercises, scales, and repertoire (pieces of music):
- Get your instrument and music out. Then make sure your instrument is in tune.
- Play the assigned exercises and scales. Repeat them a few times until you're comfortable with them.
- Play the assigned piece(s) of music. Repeat them a few times until you're comfortable with them.
- Put away your instrument, making sure to clean off the strings and loosen your bow.
- Put away your music, remembering to record that you practiced.
Some important things to remember when you practice your exercises, scales, and repertoire (pieces of music):
- Have a specific time and place to practice, especially one that is free from distractions is best.
- Use a metronome! Here's a free one online: https://www.metronomeonline.com
- Make your music simple: clap the notes, do them pizzicato, then play them with the bow.
- Practice the music in smaller chunks. You can even work on one measure at a time!
- If you have questions, ASK!! This is one of the best ways to learn!
How to Start Learning a New Piece
Here are some steps you can follow to make learning a new piece easier:
- Say the note names.
- Pizzicato and say the note names together
- Air bow and say the note names
- Play the music as written
- Repeat this process for each section, or set of measures, of the music you're learning.
How to Tune
There are three steps we're using to tune our instruments:
- Listen - Just take a moment to listen to how the note is supposed to sound.
- Hum - Humming the note will help you internalize the correct pitch so it will become easier to hear if your string is too high or too low.
- Fix - Now tune the string! When using the fine tuners, turning them clockwise will make the note "go up" and counter-clockwise will make it "go down".
It is very important to take proper care of your instrument. The better you treat it, the longer you will be able to make beautiful music with it. If you are renting an instrument from the school, please treat it as if it were your personal property. Most of the school's instruments have been generously donated by members of our community and taking special care of them would show our respect and gratitude for that kindness. Here I have provided a list of some things either to do or not to do.
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