Practice Tips

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Be organized

	Decide how much time you have to practice each day
	Set aside a regular time for practice
	Use a metronome (get one loud enough to hear clearly when you play)
	Half your time should be for practicing skills like tone, technique and articulation. The rest of the time is for music you are working on (solos, band or orchestra pieces)
	Take notes at your lessons, bring a tape player and record your lessons.

Be creative

Analyze the problem areas of your playing

How many ways can you invent to help solve the problems in your playing?

Use a mirror. If you can see what you are doing, chances are you can fix any problems you identify.

Break things down into bite size pieces

	If you are having problems learning a lot of black notes, work on them one group at a time. Gradually put them together in longer and longer sections until you can play the whole passage.
	Frustration results when you try to do too much too fast.

Believe it or not, for quick results, work slowly and carefully.

Set realistic goals

Get to know your strengths and weaknesses

Keep a notebook of how you plan to organize your practice time and goals you want to accomplish.

Seek out opportunities to increase your knowledge of flute playing (private lessons, summer flute camps, master classes, clinics)

Look for ways to challenge yourself to become a better player.

	Solo competitions
	Orchestra
	Band
	Chamber music (duets, trios, quartets, quintets)
	Flute choir

Do the work

	If you don't practice, you won't improve
	Having a good flute is important but you still must practice
	Find an experienced private flute teacher with at least one college degree in flute performance.
	Enjoy practicing! If you don't like it, you shouldn't be doing it. Find something else you do like doing.