If anybody has a birthday coming up – or has some extra allowance money laying around, please ask for a “Metronome”. They are an invaluable asset for any musician, both young and old.
Metronomes can range in price from $20 – $400 – $1000! I recommend that you purchase a metronome in the $20 – $30 range. More expensive metronomes can do neater things, but they are not necessary for most people.
If you would like, you can get a free metronome for your smartphone. You can even visit www.metronomeonline.com for a free metronome on the web. Make sure your speakers are turned on!
Mr. Hait’s Suggestions for Practicing Band Music
- Break your music up into small sections. First, try to master a 2 or a 4 measure section.
- First, try to Count the section of the music. Count it a few times – until you get good at it!
- Then, try to Sing the section of the music – Sing it a few times – until you are able to sing it at the same speed that you counted it
- Then, play the section of music several times – until you are able to play it at the same speed that you counted it and sang it!
- Then, move on to a new section – the next 2 or 4 measures. Do the same routine.
- After you master a few sections of music, try to combine the sections. Before you know it, you will have mastered the entire song!
- Use the ‘Checklist’ for your song. If you are perfect at the first few sections, don’t play those sections again. It is better to use your time to work on the other sections that you are having difficulty with.
Progress reports were recently mailed home and included detailed information about the progress of the students in the sixth grade band. Many students are learning exceedingly well and progressing from week to week. However, some students are not attending their weekly lessons. Please make sure that your child has his or her ‘Lesson Card‘ and attends his or her lesson prepared with the instrument, folder, and book. For more information about what we are doing in lessons, click here!
If a student misses his or her lesson for any reason, he or she is expected to make up the lesson during his or her 6th period lunch period or after school.