Spending a lot of time at home? Tired of practicing the same ol’ scales and exercises? Try the below tips to give your ‘practice’ time a bit of a boost and turn it into PLAYING time! After all, while learning music does take practice and discipline, it should still be FUN!

• Host your own virtual concert: Record or stream video of you playing your instrument to send to family. If you like, you can even dress up and decide on a “program” for your virtual concert so your loved ones can hear your favorite tunes.
• Make up a new song using something you just learned, i.e. using new rhythms, scales, or mixing melodies into a new tune. Improvise! If you just want to freeform jam to something jazzy, try “blues jam tracks” on YouTube (with parental consent).
• Find play-along tracks: Several method books either have CD’s or online resources to make it sound like you’re practicing with a whole band! Or, find “drum tracks to jam to” on YouTube – there are several straight-up drumbeats in different styles.
• Be silly! Play something in reverse i.e. Hot crossed Buns backward!

• Pick a new goal: pick something new you want to learn (a new scale, a particularly hard exercise, mastering a new rhythm, learning a pop song on your instrument), develop a practice plan, and decide on a reward for when you succeed!
• Find a “dessert” tune: Find an instrumental version of a pop tune you like (your local music stores can help you find either digital or sheet music) to play as a reward for completing all your exercises, like eating dessert at the end of a good meal.
• Get a practice buddy: Maybe someone else from band learning the same instrument, or a friend from class. Many beginning method books have the same songs on the same pages, regardless of the instrument. Take turns playing the piece or lesson. Make it a virtual get-together via social streaming apps like Zoom or Facetime.

For more resources, contact your local music stores and check in with your local music teachers! Remember to stay involved and stay connected. Above all, remember to keep making music and having FUN!