Schilling Farms Middle School Band

During the first 3 weeks of band classes we have been working on the following:

7th and 8th grade

1. How to practice effectively. Using a clear, organized approach to practicing helps insure success and continued motivation. Students should use the following guideline when practicing at home.

a. Count. 7th and 8th grade students have been taught a system to count the music assigned. They should make sure they understand the rhythm before they attempt to perform it.

b. Count and Finger notes. After the student has mastered counting the rhythm, they should practice counting while fingering the notes. When they encounter a trouble “spot” they should repeat that section (a measure or group of notes) until their fingers will easily move from note to note.

c. Finger notes and say letter names. This step is for the less experienced students. Many students might be able to skip this one. Students who are having difficulty immediately recognizing the letter names of notes will need to practice saying the letter names while fingering . This will reinforce immediate recognition of each note.

d. Play. Once the first 3 steps are mastered the student can play the assigned music. When they encounter a “trouble spot” they should stop, repeat it slowly as many times as necessary, to master that spot. Then try to start the assignment over at the beginning and find other spots that may need attention. When all the problem segments have been practiced, start at the beginning and play the assignment from beginning to end.

Students that simply start at the beginning and play through to the end, mistakes and all, often learn it wrong. Practicing using an organized methodical way will actually have the student spending less time to get the assignment mastered.

7th graders should be learning or reviewing the first 4 scales (passed out in class).

8th graders should be learning or reviewing at least the first 5 scales (passed out in class).

Many students can do more than this minimum of scales. Scales will be checked off in class using a chart posted in the front of the class.

There has been assignments given in the band book. Students should keep up with the assignments in their agenda book.

There has not been any practice record logs due as of yet. I will announce when that begins.

Questions? Contact Mr. Turner r1turner@scsk12.org