...some general thoughts
Although there is no required practice amount in high school like there was in middle school, we encourage students to continue the practice routine we tried to establish at the middle school level. Students were required to practice 140 minutes/week in middle school, and that was just to keep up with everyone else!
It is up to each family and student to determine the amount of practice needed to improve at the high school level. When contemplating practice time at home students need to consider how serious they are about moving to another level of performance. It is very easy to reach a "plateau" and just get by with fundamental technique that has been acquired over the years. This can be aptly described as reaching for mediocrity!
The old saying is true — "You only get out of it what you put in to it." From time to time we hear students remark that they are tired of playing their chosen instrument, or just tired of being in band in general. It's no wonder - usually these students have reached the plateau described above. Students need to improve their technical abilities so they can continue to reach for more advanced playing capabilities. As they do this, more difficult and interesting music becomes a possibility. As with any art form, the "science" (technique) must come before the art. One cannot produce art of any quality without the technical ability to do so!
Musically, there's nothing quite as discouraging (and sometimes intimidating) as sitting in a rehearsal or practice room not being able to play or even attempt to play the music in front of you. This, too, adds to the "plateau" factor and encourages thoughts about just giving up. If you see this pattern beginning, remember that the only way out of it is to improve one's technical abilities! Most professional musicians admit that they are still learning and developing playing skills, even if they've been playing for decades. If that's the case, consider the high school student that has decided he/she has "learned enough" to make a serious judgment about their continuation as an instrumentalist. Remember, most students will never play once they're out of high school - why not make the most of it when it's readily available!
So, back to the main point - how much practice time is enough? The short answer is to practice enough so that you're improving, not just maintaining a level of mediocrity. Every time you think you're losing interest, try to do something that you've never been able to do before. I guarantee there is always some part of your playing ability to improve! (Wouldn't it be nice to get past the technique and concentrate on the music? That's why most of us play to begin with!)
TO “PRACTICE” MORE EFFECTIVELY
Your young musician needs your support and encouragement to maintain an effective practice schedule. We have found that most students need to practice an average of between 20 and 30 minutes per day to achieve the greatest benefit from their time. Below are a few helpful hints to make that home practice time a productive and rewarding experience.
1. For all musicians, practice time should be a period of intense concentration, devoted to the idea of working out rather than playing through musical material.
2. It is important to practice slowly and to avoid continued unsuccessful repetitions of a problem passage. Any mistake made will tend to be perpetuated until it is discovered and corrected. The muscles learn the wrong physical coordination and must be retrained. To correct the problem passage, practice slowly at first. Then slowly speed up, never faster than you can do correctly.
3. Always think about relaxation and be on the lookout for tension in your playing. Sit correctly with a straight spine and relaxed shoulders. Think proper posture and instrument position. Use the least amount of pressure necessary.
4. Take full deep breaths and play in a very aerobic way. Use your diaphragm muscles. Do not get into an isometric struggle with your instrument and again, think relaxation.
5. The practice area should be private and quiet, without distractions of television, stereo or other people. It should have good lighting, a music stand for proper instrument position, and a firm straight-backed chair for correct posture and breathing.
6. The practice session is most beneficial when you reserve a certain time of the day to work. Usually a practice session at the end of the day, when you are mentally and physically fatigued, is fruitless.
7. For some, shorter practice sessions (10 or 15 minutes) during the day are preferable to a single, longer practice session. Example: One session after school or before dinner and another session later in the evening as a break from other studies.
8. Practice good basics. Constantly think fundamentals. Never sacrifice your sound. Good characteristic tone comes first and always.
9. Practice with a steady pulse or beat. Use the metronome frequently to promote even playing and proper subdivision.
10. Think about the mathematical component of music. It will promote correct subdivision. If you cannot imagine or see what the music should sound like, it may be too soon to try to play it. Have a vision in your mind of a correct performance.
11. When beginning a practice session, have a well-organized idea of how to use the time that is available. Select from the following: Warm-up materials, Scales, Long tones, Flexibility studies, Articulation studies, Private Lesson assignments.