Marc Whitlock Parents Guide For The Young Musicians Practice Experience Similar to studying any other academic subject practicing an instrument is a mental process The practice environment should be as similar to a library as possible except that your child can make lots of good sou ID: 492202
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Parent’s Guide For The Young Musician’s Practice Experience
Marc WhitlockSlide2
Parent’s Guide For The Young Musician’s Practice Experience Slide3
Similar to studying any other academic subject, practicing an instrument is a mental process. The practice environment should be as similar to a library as possible, except that your child can make lots of good sounds here. The Environment of Practice 1) Relaxed and quiet Slide4
The temperature range of 65-80 degrees is needed for the wind instrument to have the best chance to play in tune, with a temperature of 72 degrees being ideal. The Environment of Practice 2) Correct Temperature Slide5
It is vital that the child’s practice space allow them to sit or stand in the same position they do in band class. A sturdy chair is important to help them sit in the correct posture. The child should never have to bend over to read their music, and a practice stand will allow the student to view their music exactly as they do on band class. The Environment of Practice 3) Sturdy Chair and Music StandSlide6
It is imperative that students always check their embouchure to ensure it is being formed correctly, as this concept will be covered in class and illustrations often occur in the beginning of most band method books. A locker mirror or other small mirror on their music stand will work well. The Environment of Practice 4) Use a Mirror Slide7
The Sounds of Practice For home practice, students should use a metronome 95% of the time. This will help them keep steady tempo. Tempo StandardTimingTechnical ControlConsistencyEnsemble Practice1) The Beeping of a metronome
There is NO better tool for tempo control!Slide8
The Sounds of Practice Counting out rhythms (like learning to read words) and then combining those rhythms with steady tempo will help your child develop motor skills and learn the concept of simultaneous responsibilities. Please make sure your child is counting rhythms aloudUse the “1, 2, 3, 4” systemAdd clapping to countingUse “1 e + a” for complex rhythms
Use a metronome
2) Counting and
Clapping
“Basics In Rhythm” is a wonderful resource!Slide9
The Sounds of Practice Students should be saying the note names out loud while reading the staff lines of music for class. This should also be done with a metronome, and ultimately, while fingering or positioning the notes being spoken. Start by learning/reviewing the musical alphabet, and here are two great resources: Note Trainer and Musictheory.netSay the notes names out loud in time with rhythm
Add fingerings while singing the notes or counting the rhythms to promote simultaneous responsibility. Let’s practice an example on the next slide:
3)
Note-naming
Note Trainer is a fantastic resource, and it’s free!Slide10
The Sounds of Practice Review the notes and rhythmSay the notes names out loud with rhythm using a slow to moderate tempoAdd fingerings to note namingFinally, use air and finger to practice consistency, then play music full out
3a)
Application of Note Naming
Practicing a little each day will ensure greater ability!Slide11
The Sounds of Practice Breathing: Air exercises, Breathing Gym, number system of breathingStretch and Flap (for brass players)Using mouthpiece/headjoint: Students should be working on their sound with just the mouthpiece, mouthpiece and barrel, or head joint. This sound might be slightly irritating (especially with beginners), but it is crucial to their development of correct embouchure and tone quality. They should work for a steady sound that does not waver. Use long tones to achieve this goal.
4)
Essential Sounds
“Breathing Gym is the best lung development program out there!Slide12
The Sounds of Practice The first sounds a student should make on their assembled instrument should be long and smooth tones. This will greatly enhance tone quality over time.Their tone quality is one of the most important aspects of learning their instrument during the early years. Again, they should work for a steady sound that does not waver. Playing into a tuner with an open and relaxed sound, and keeping the “needle” perfectly steady can REALLY help achieve this.
4)
Long Tones
Remington’s and Flow Studies really help tone quality!Slide13
The Sounds of Practice 2This is what the parents should NOT hear!
Goofing
Off!
Just the Music?
Silence….Slide14
PARENT Practice Make every attempt to ensure you are helping your child practice the correct way, with a good quality instrument, emulating the band program’s philosophy and regimen. All parents can help their child practice by doing any or all of the following: Create A Healthy EnvironmentScheduled TimesPerformances At HomeAsk Questions
Observe Your Child Practice
What can you do to assist your child?
Being involved is a great way to promote high quality learning!
The quality of daily home practice time directly impacts their playing level on their instruments!Slide15
Helpful ToolsCleaning Care KitValve OilTuning Slide GreaseSoft ClothMouthpiece BrushFlex Brush or SnakeOther ToolsMetronome
Pencil
Mirror
Wire Music Stand
Tools that can truly enhance your child’s practice experience
Most importantly, your child must have a quality horn with supplies, as these and other tools can help your child’s practice experience to be the best it can be:
“Practice doesn’t make perfect, PERFECT practice makes perfect!"Slide16
Online ResourcesBand Instrument Care - http://www.musiccenters.com/care.htmlOnline Metronome - http://www.metronomeonline.com/
Woodwind Fingering Charts
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http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/
Brass Fingering Charts
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http://www.bandworld.org/pdfs/BWBrassChart.pdf
MORE Fingering Charts - http://www.fingering-charts.com/Music Theory practice and lessons
- http://www.musictheory.net/
Percussion Rudiments - http://www.vicfirth.com/education/rudiments.phpWAY MORE percussion stuff - http://www.vicfirth.com/education/
Online links that can help you and your child achieve!Slide17
Online Resources pg. 2Music Racer - http://www.musicracer.com/SpeedNote for Keyboard - http://www.vicfirth.com/education/keyboard/speednotereading.html
Theta Music Trainer
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http://trainer.thetamusic.com/
Breathing Gym
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http://www.jwpepper.com/9542666.itemInstrument Care and Maintenance
- http://www.hornsmasher.com/maintenancevideos.htmlSmartMusic practice system
(the very best) - http://www.smartmusic.com/SmartMusic Videos for help
- http://www.youtube.com/user/SmartMusicOfficialThere are many other sites that can help. Be sure to talk with your child’s music teacher for additional sources.Online links that can help you and your child achieve!Slide18
Contact InfoMarc Whitlockwhitlock1@gmail.comMr. Marc Whitlock currently serves as the band director for Discovery Middle School in the Plymouth-Canton school district in Canton, Michigan, which consists of over 220 students in grades 6 through 8. Class offerings include two brass classes, two percussion classes, two woodwind classes, and three concert bands, and have opportunities to perform in chamber ensembles, percussion ensembles, and other small instrumental groups throughout the year.
He has also been a band director at the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, Hebron High School in Carrollton, Texas, and Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois. During his time as a high school band director, his bands have earned 14 state championships, and three Bands
of America
Grand National Championships. His bands have also performed for the Presidential Inauguration and the Music For All National Concert Band Festival.
Other honors include being selected to represent the state of Michigan in the School Band and Orchestra magazine special edition, “50 Band Directors Who Make A Difference”, instructing selected performers for the NBA All-Star game, the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, and was a founding staff member of the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band, and performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He has received certificates of commendation from Plymouth High School, the state of New Jersey, the state of Kentucky, Outstanding Young Men of America, Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society of Education, and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.
Mr. Whitlock was formerly the brass manager for the Tony and Emmy award winning Broadway production of “Blast!” Mr. Whitlock has been actively involved in the drum corps activity since 1980 and has been in demand as a specialist/clinician for many corps, such as the Blue Stars, Cadets, Carolina Crown, Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment, Santa Clara Vanguard, Star of Indiana, and most recently with the Madison Scouts.
Mr. Whitlock has performed as a clinician, adjudicator, visual designer, percussion arranger, wind arranger, and/or music instructor across the U.S. and Europe, and is also an adjudicator for ISSMA, MSBOA, DCI, MCGC, and Bands of America/Music For All.