 How often should I practice?
Students are expected to practice their instruments outside of class time. ~Playing your instrument for one period, twice a week, will not give a student the skill needed to succeed in music class.
It's not just about time...it's about frequency.
A student who practices his/her instrument at home once a week for 2 hours straight will not do as well as a student who practices for only a half-hour at a time 4 times a week. ~This is because shorter time periods usually mean more focussed practice. ~Marathon practicing often leads to frustration, and will make the student feel like he/she doesn't like to practice. ~It's better to start a 1/2 hour practice session with a few small goals in mind, and just work towards the goals. ~
Make a schedule and stick to it!
For a student to experience maximum success, he/she should have a 1/2 hour practice session 5 out of 7 days a week, including music classes. ~Grade 7 and 8 have 2 music periods a week, so that means 2 or 3 sign outs per week. ~Figure out what would be the best days to sign out your instrument and stick to your plan. ~It will pay off in the end!
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