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Still Trying · 06-24-2005, 03:03 PM

One of the first principles of teaching is that a teacher has to know what it is he is trying to teach, before he can teach it. I know that's so basic that it sounds stupid to state it. But it's true. When I went into a classroom, I always knew exactly what I wanted to teach that day. It was up to my creativity to figure out a way to get the point across to students. But since I knew what I wanted to teach, I also knew whether or not I had accomplished my goal.

What does that have to do with practicing? Everything. Even if you take lessons from an instructor, when you take your trumpet out of its case for a practice session, for the moment you are your own teacher. No one can play that instrument for you, and no matter what you've been told, you still have to figure out how to apply it to yourself. So approach practicing from the stand point of being your own teacher for a period.

Define what it is you are trying to learn (teach yourself) during the session. Have a defined purpose for your practicing. Why are you playing the exercises you are practicing? When you practice slurs (as a student), remind yourself (as a teacher) what it is you are trying to accomplish by playing slurs. Then evaluate your sound, flexibility, ease of playing, whatever it is you are trying to accomplish. If the exercises need correction, as a teacher, what do you suggest to the student?

If your playing starts to deteriorate because of fatigue, rest a while and start over. You don't necessarily have to practice the same type exercises every day, as long as all the essentials are practiced in an orderly fashion.

I guess the main point of all this is just to say that you should have a well defined goal to determine what you practice and how much you practice. I doubt that goal oriented practice is boring to many players, and it's certainly more productive. Physically, rest as much as you play. It really does help.

06-24-2005, 03:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
Still Trying Pianissimo User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lake Jackson, TX USA Posts: 164	One of the first principles of teaching is that a teacher has to know what it is he is trying to teach, before he can teach it. I know that's so basic that it sounds stupid to state it. But it's true. When I went into a classroom, I always knew exactly what I wanted to teach that day. It was up to my creativity to figure out a way to get the point across to students. But since I knew what I wanted to teach, I also knew whether or not I had accomplished my goal. What does that have to do with practicing? Everything. Even if you take lessons from an instructor, when you take your trumpet out of its case for a practice session, for the moment you are your own teacher. No one can play that instrument for you, and no matter what you've been told, you still have to figure out how to apply it to yourself. So approach practicing from the stand point of being your own teacher for a period. Define what it is you are trying to learn (teach yourself) during the session. Have a defined purpose for your practicing. Why are you playing the exercises you are practicing? When you practice slurs (as a student), remind yourself (as a teacher) what it is you are trying to accomplish by playing slurs. Then evaluate your sound, flexibility, ease of playing, whatever it is you are trying to accomplish. If the exercises need correction, as a teacher, what do you suggest to the student? If your playing starts to deteriorate because of fatigue, rest a while and start over. You don't necessarily have to practice the same type exercises every day, as long as all the essentials are practiced in an orderly fashion. I guess the main point of all this is just to say that you should have a well defined goal to determine what you practice and how much you practice. I doubt that goal oriented practice is boring to many players, and it's certainly more productive. Physically, rest as much as you play. It really does help. __________________ S.T. What do we have that we did not receive, and if we received it, why do we glory, as if we received it not?