| Beg. Sax Info | Info for Parents | Practicing | Advanced Student Exercises | Local Music Stores | My Teaching Bio |
| Back to Private Lesson p. 1 | Back to Home Page |

Now that you are taking your first step in becoming a musician, here are a few things to DO to insure your success.

• DO have a music stand at home
• DO have a metronome (any brand will do)
• DO keep your instrument clean
• DO have all the necessary equipment to take care of your instrument
• DO practice for improvement
• DO have fun by practicing with your friends
• DO NOT share this valuable instrument with your friends
• DO NOT try to repair your instrument

| Back to Private Lesson p. 1 | Back to Home Page |

If you want to play well you are going to have to practice every day. No one is born with the ability to play an instrument without daily practice. The best players are those who practice the most. The following are suggestions for you to follow:

1. A daily practice routine is the most important aspect in learning an instrument. Set a time to practice each day, and let nothing interfere with this schedule. Beginners should practice 15-20 minutes per day, intermediate players 30-45, and advanced 45 minutes to 2 hours 5-6 days a week.
2. When you practice, try to do the things we've discussed in your lesson.
3. Don't just put in time, practice carefully for results. Thirty minutes of careful practice is better than hours of careless work.
4. It is fun to play the songs in the book, but don't forget to learn the scales and rhythm exercises. These will help you the most in the future.

Instrumental music teachers have long recognized the value of sympathetic encouragement from home. As you hear the results of your child's first lesson and ask (under your breath), "Is it supposed to sound that way?", just stop and consider the difficulties he/she is having. As he/she tries to play his/her first exercises, these are the things that confront him/her:

1. Holding the instrument and sitting correctly
2. Breathing and blowing in a entirely new way
3. Controlling the tongue, lips and cheek muscles
4. Giving each note its correct length
5. Placing fingers on the right keys
6. Learning to read music

Your encouragement, interest and assistance can aid your child through this difficult, but rewarding time. I suggest, if you don't have any experience playing an instrument, that you have your child teach you to play. It can be a most humbling experience!

For Advanced Players

• Download my Daily Practice Routine to use a guide in your daily practice.(in Adobe Acrobat format)

| Back to Private Lesson p. 1 | Back to Home Page |

Other Useful Information:

---

For Instruments, Music Supplies & Repair in San Francisco Bay Area:

Best Music 1716 Broadway Oakland, CA (510) 832-2024	Bronsteins Music 363 Grand Avenue So. San Francisco, CA 94080 (415) 588-2502	Allegro Music 3115 Walnut Fremont, CA (510) 793-3500	Ingram and Braun 3160 Santa Rita Rd Ste B4, Pleasanton (925) 462-3667
	House of Woodwinds 2205 San Ramon Blvd. San Ramon, CA (510) 831-8341	Best Instrument Repair 564 14th Ave. Oakland, CA (510) 832-2452	Music123.com Good source for instruments and accessories online

For Sheet Music:

J.W. Pepper Music Network (800) 345-6296 Pepper of San Francisco 37482 Fremont Blvd. Fremont, CA 94536-3705 (510) 796-1525	Dorn Publications P.O. Box 206 Medfield, MA 02052 PH: (508) 359-1015 FX: (508) 359-7988 E-mail	Eble Music 115 S Linn St Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 338-0313
Luyben Sheet Music 800-258-9236 Classic Saxophone On-Line	Byron Hoyt Sheet Music Service 2525-16th Street San Francisco, CA (415) 431-8055	Meridian Winds (800) 695-3729

For information regarding lessons and to set up a free first meeting, contact:

Dale Wolford via

| Beg. Sax Info | Info for Parents | Practicing | Local Music Stores | My Teaching Bio |
| Back to Private Lesson p. 1 |

| Back to Home Page |