What is the Practice Planner?
The Practice Planner is a tool to help students acquire self motivation to practice while simultaneously developing a balanced technique and musicianship. The Practice Planner is a way of thinking because the way you think determines the way you practice and what you accomplish.
Who is the Practice Planner for?
Whether you are a student, a teacher, a parent nurturing your child's musical interest or a music lover embarked on a self-study program, the Practice Planner has something unique to offer.
The Practice Planner is a Journal and Lifelong Resource
Your Practice Planner journal will be a bound record of what you want to accomplish in the next year's practicing. Each two page Practice Planner chart will be part of a bound record of the steps taken to get you from where you are to where you want to go. And, the ample space for lesson assignments, practice records, questions, teacher's comments, musical discoveries and musical examples will become a gathering place for valuable hints and sug- gestions--hints and suggestions that are usually hidden in the margins of method books or lost on discarded scraps of paper. When completed, your Practice Planner will become your personal journal, diary and lifelong musical resource.
Benefits for Students of All Ages
The Practice Planner helps musicians of all ages develop a healthy attitude toward practicing by setting musical goals that will define their reasons for practicing. It also helps musicians gain a greater understanding of how the techniques they are practicing can be used musically.
In addition, the Practice Planner gives students the opportunity to:
-develop self-motivation by thinking about why they are studying music and how music can enrich their lives.
-take an active role in planning their musical studies.
-start each practice session with a purpose and end with a sense of satisfaction by making each practice session worth the effort and not just filling time with busy work.
-take responsibility for their own progress, and add depth to lesson assignments by focusing on all areas of a balanced technique.
-develop a balance of technical skills and musicianship.
-explore the value of ear-training, listening and sightreading as important and enjoyable parts of practicing.
-develop a healthy dialogue with teachers, parents and friends about practicing.
-develop planning skills that can be applied to all areas of study, interests or hobbies.
Use the Practice Planner as an Independent-Study Organizer
The Practice Planner is perfect for students who would like to continue in band, orchestra or chorus, but are unable to fit these activities into their class schedule. The Practice Planner also benefits students receiving school credit for private instruction and students taking independent study courses. It supplies a single volume for developing independent study programs, at all academic levels, with defined goals and deadlines.
About the Author: Harvey Snitkin is an award-winning educator and musician. He holds a PhD in music education and an MA in oboe pedagogy from the University of Connecticut, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Hartt College of Music. His teaching experience spans all levels of public school music as well as the Armed Forces School of Music, the University of Connecticut, Hartt School of Music, and Three Rivers Community College. He has spearheaded numerous arts education grants. While serving 26 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. He is a two-time recipient of the Connecticut Songwriters Association's Contribution to Education Through Music Award, a voting member of the Recording Academy for the annual Grammy Awards, and an associate composer of BMI.
