Summer is the perfect time to go back to the basics and freshen up your music skills. Regardless of the instrument you perform, here are some tips to help hone your skills and prepare you to play more challenging recital pieces during our fall and spring semesters.
- Practice your instrument at least 5 times per week. If you can fit in 7 days, even better!
- Spend a few minutes quizzing yourself on treble clef notes (AND bass clef if you are a piano player and/or vocalist!). You can type in “music note flashcards” on your cell to search for a practice app, or search a site like amazon to purchase flashcards.
- Warmup at the beginning of each practice with some scales. Try building your speed while maintaining good technique. If you are a vocalist, do vocal warmups that you have worked on with your private teacher. How clear are your vowels and consonants? How balanced is your posture? How’s your expression?
- Play/sing old performance pieces and focus on dynamics and articulation. How smoothly can you play legato? How crisp can you play your staccato notes?
- Take a few minutes each day to sight read/sight sing a piece you have not performed before. Even just a few minutes a day will improve your ability!
- Review note names and lengths. Are you counting your notes for their full length?
Most important, practice regularly and use the extra time you have when school is out to improve your musical ability. 😊 Remember, the more you practice the easier it is to perform challenging songs!