1.  Length of time to practice depends on the age and level of the student.  Beginners should practice 20 - 30 minutes a day, and a more advanced student should practice 45 minutes to an hour or more.  Remember, the more you practice, the better you will play, and the better you play, the more you will enjoy it!

2.  Establish a practice routine.  Determine what works with your schedule, and stick to it. 

2.  Consult your assignment notebook for assignments and specifics to practice.

3.   When first learning a piece, slow practice is very important.

4.  It is important to not just play the piece from beginning to the end, but to focus on one section at a time, repeating slowly until mastered.

5.  Clap and count rhythms when needed.  Beginning students should do this with each new piece.

6.  Think about the mood of the piece and what you can do to convey it to the listener.  It may help to write a story about the piece.

7.  Parents - young students will need your guidance and encouragement.  A correction should be followed by a positive (the strongest motivator for any student is positive reinforcement).

8.  Reward yourself for a job well-done!

Upcoming Dates:

· April 15: RSVP for Piano Party
· April 15: “My Musical Kingdom” Book Illustrations Due
· April 17: Piano Party 1:00 or 2:30 pm
· May 1, 2:00 pm: LIVE Virtual Recital
· May 14th: Last Day of spring Semester