Practicing For Young Musicians: You Are Your Own Teacher

By Ph.D. Harvey R. Snitkin

You weren't born with an owner's manual.  The day that your new instrument arrived is not unlike the day you were born and your parents took on the responsibility of raising you and building a lifelong relationship.  Now it's you turn, only you are building a relationship with your instrument.  That, too, takes a stron

• Language: English
• Publisher: HMS Publications, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781888732160

Ph.D. Harvey R. Snitkin

About the Author Harvey R. Snitkin, PH.D. is an award-winning educator and musician. He holds both a doctorate in Music Education (Supervision and Curriculum Development) and an M.A. in Oboe Pedagogy, from the University of Connecticut, plus a Bachelor of Music Education from the Hartt College of Music. He has taught all levels of public school music, as well as at the Armed Forces School of Music, University of Connecticut, Hartt School of Music, and Three Rivers Community Technical College (CT). He has spear- headed numerous arts education grants, and while serving 25 years as music director of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Youth Orchestra, he presented hundreds of elementary school programs as leader of the Symphony's Music-In-The-Schools Trio. A two-time recipient of the Connecticut Songwriters Association's Contribution to Education Through Music Award, Dr. Snitkin is also a member of the Recording Academy (a voting member of the Grammy awards), an associate composer of BMI, and the author of the Reed-Maker's Series (HMS Publications, Inc.) for oboe, bassoon, and single-reeds.

Book preview

PRACTICING

for Young Musicians

You Are Your Own Teacher

Attention: Schools, Corporations, and Organizations

Bulk purchase rates are available for educational, business, sales promotional use, and fundraising for non-profit organizations. For more information, contact Special Sales, HMS Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 524, Niantic, CT 06357; phone [phone].

To book student or faculty workshops, contact Harvey Snitkin, Ph.D., Music and Music Education Services, 2 Louise Drive, Niantic, CT 06357; phone [phone].

Copyright © 1983, 1984, 1988 by HMS Publications, Inc.

Copyright © 1997, 2000, 2001, 2019 by Harvey R. Snitkin

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or by the publisher. Requests for permission should be made in writing to HMS Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 524, Niantic, CT 06357.

Cover and text design by Mary Ballachino

Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication

Snitkin, Harvey R.

Practicing for young musicians : you are your own teacher / Harvey R.

Snitkin. -- Rev. and expanded ed.

p. cm.

Includes index.

Preassigned LCCN: 96-94279

ISBN 1-978-1-888732-00-9

ISBN 978-1-888732-16-0 (e-book)

1. Musical instruments--Instruction and study. 2. Practicing (Music).

I. Title.

MT170.S65 1996

780’.68—dc20

781.44

QBI96-40270

Manufactured in the United States of America

Revised Edition/Second Printing

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my students, over the past thirty years, for sharing their needs with me, and giving me the reason for writing this book; Allyn Donath for reading and making valuable comments on an early manuscript draft; Corinne Weber for her editorial advice; Mary Ballachino, of Merrimac Design; for her attention to design details; and my wife Michele for her advice about final design and editorial decisions.

I would also like to thank Armstrong Woodwinds; D’Addario and Company, Inc.; Electronic Courseware Systems, Inc.; Fender Musical Instruments; Franz Manufacturing Company; Hamilton Stands Inc.; Harmonic Vision; Hohner, Inc.; Homespun Tapes; Interworld Music; Leblanc Corporation; Mark of the Unicorn; PureCussion Inc.; Steinway and Sons; The Getzen Company; The Selmer Company, Inc.; Twelve Tone Systems, Inc.; United Musical Instruments U.S.A., Inc.; Weber Reeds; and Yamaha Audio, Guitar, and Synthesizer for supplying black and white photographs, transparencies and disks used to highlight and illustrate the text.

I regret that space did not allow for the use of all the materials so generously submitted by the manufacturers. The sources of photographs used are acknowledged individually in the photo credits.

I would especially like to thank Virgil Maines, President of Hamilton Stands Incorporated, for supplying the stands used for the cover photograph.

And, a special thank you to my wife Michele and daughters Dale and Marla for their patience and for listening when I discussed the book at inappropriate times.

Praise for

Practicing for Young Musicians

. . . the best book I’ve ever seen about motivation for practicing and effective practice strategies. . . . Fun to read.

The Home Schooling Source Book, 3rd Ed.

"Practicing for Young Musicians is a ‘Dr. Spock’ for young musicians."

Coffee County News, Douglas, GA

. . . innovative, step by step approach uses everyday analogies—from baseball to bologna—to make the learning process colorful and compelling.

Bob Norman, Night Owl Records,

former editor Sing Out! Magazine

I feel teachers should read it and incorporate [the] ideas into their teaching. . . . [The] ideas are excellent and will prove valuable for the aspiring musician.

Jamey Aebersold, Jazz, Inc.,

A New Approach to Jazz Improvisation

All my life I have been connected with music and books and have never before seen a book quite like this one. Dr. Snitkin has rendered a tremendous service to music students of all instruments, and also to vocalists.

The Tribune, Bethany, OK

This is a great book and should be required reading for all students beginning lessons. Short of the ‘magic pill,’ this book takes a lot of the mystique and negative ideas about practicing and puts them into clear perspective.

Richard Provost, Professor of Guitar,

Hartt College of Music, author of

The Art and Technique of Performance

. . . a minor masterpiece of motivation, encouragement and self-help . . . the tone light, and the humor refreshing.

Richard White, The Post Road Review

. . . a book music teachers will want to recommend to their students, and parents will want to purchase along with their child’s chosen instrument.

The Nashville News, Nashville, IL

. . . this book should be given to every family whose child takes up an instrument. It should be mandatory reading.

Tony Mazzarella, winner of Parents’ Choice award.

This lighthearted book requires no prior musical background, yet the concepts are not watered down.

Houston Tribune, Houston, TX

". . . an excellent text on self-practice and self-teaching techniques, and an excellent addition to the instructional tools of the trade."

Connecticut Songsmith,

the Connecticut Songwriters Association

". . . a unique holistic approach to keep young, beginning music students interested and enthused."

Norwich Bulletin, Norwich, CT

This book . . . will make practicing an enjoyable topic."

The Freer Press, Freer, TX

". . . ingenious and very helpful. "

Victor Norman, Conductor Emeritus,

Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra

Contents

Preface

How to Use this Book

Part I:You Are Your Own Teacher!

Introduction

1 A Little Help from Some Friends

Who Would Make the Best Musician?

Backwards Bob?

Perfect Patricia?

Worrisome Walt?

Happy Harry?

The Votes Are In

2 Some Thoughts About Practicing

Practicing Is a Commitment

Practice Can Make Perfect or Imperfect

You’re the Player and the Umpire

To Be a Musician, Think Like a Musician

Practicing Makes Skills Automatic

Even Good Games Can Get Dull

Spend Your Time Wisely: It’s Simple Addition

Between Lessons, You Are Your Own Teacher

It’s Simple Mathematics

Your Ears Have a Long Reach

At Lessons, You Rent Your Teacher’s Ears

When You Practice, Your Ears Become Your Teacher

Concept of Sound: Your Practice Room Upstairs

Can You Taste It?

Your Practice Room Upstairs

Listening is the Key to Developing a Concept of Sound

Your Concept of Sound Has Kept You Safe

Helpful Hints From Old Friends

Part II:Planning Your Musical Travel: Ideas for an Enjoyable Trip

3 Planning Ahead: Your Road Map to Progress

Practice with a Destination In Mind

Take Your Mind Along for the Ride

Concentration: The Secret of Not Getting Lost

4 Decisions, Decisions, Always Decisions

When Should I Practice?

Practicing Does Not Replace Other Activities

Caution: Don’t Put It Off—Don’t Procrastinate

Where Should I Practice?

Some Practice Rooms Are Better than Others

Television Is Not a Good Practice Partner

What Materials Will I Need?

Use a Music Stand

Don’t Be Afraid to Use a Pencil

Part III:Methods of Practicing: The Rewards of Good Planning

5 Planning Your Musical Agenda

You’re the Tour Guide

Short Versus Long Practice Sessions

Beginner’s Math: 5 x 6 = 30